Enjoy Watches

Watchmaker profile

Richard Daners

Richard Daners made complicated watches for Gübelin, including the Astrum astronomical pocket watch documented in an object catalogue. 1

Astrum attribution does not imply Daners made its entire base movement: the catalogue specifies IWC calibre 9720. Estimated production totals are not adopted.

At a glance

Dates
1930–2018 111930–2018 is stated in Sotheby's catalogue note; civil records not independently inspected.

The watchmaking story

Useful places to start with Richard Daners' work include Astrum no. 2308220, Daners-signed 1984 case and IWC calibre 9720 base. 1

Richard Daners worked for or held a role at Gübelin. 123

Recognition: Prix Gaïa, Craftsmanship-Creation, 1997 2

Scope: Direct watchmaking

Why this person is included

Direct catalogue of an attributed, signed watch plus institutional craft recognition

Background and working context

Affiliations and workshops: Gübelin 1

Geographic ties: Switzerland. Documented workplace / industry location

Brands, workshops, and other relationships

  1. Watch brand / watchmaking business · Inherited source-linked record; relationship classification reviewed, sources not reopened

    Gübelin — Worked for / held role. Watchmaker and complication specialist 123

    Legacy affiliation: Gübelin. Person-level contribution: Made complicated watches for Gübelin, including the Astrum astronomical pocket watch documented in an object catalogue.

    Original affiliation wording: Gübelin. No present-day employment or ownership inferred.

Evidence and limitations

This dossier connects 7 field-specific evidence records with 3 public sources. Known links only; full career not established

Claim qualifications (7)
  • Full name: Auctioneer inspected the object; biographical notes are retrospective and subject to catalogue qualifications. Locator: Lot 77, description and catalogue note. 1
  • Noteworthy contribution: Auctioneer inspected the object; biographical notes are retrospective and subject to catalogue qualifications. Locator: Lot 77, description and catalogue note. 1
  • Representative work: Auctioneer inspected the object; biographical notes are retrospective and subject to catalogue qualifications. Locator: Lot 77, description and catalogue note. 1
  • Affiliations / workshops: Auctioneer inspected the object; biographical notes are retrospective and subject to catalogue qualifications. Locator: Lot 77, description and catalogue note. 1
  • Birth year: Auctioneer inspected the object; biographical notes are retrospective and subject to catalogue qualifications. Locator: Lot 77, description and catalogue note. 1
  • Death year: Auctioneer inspected the object; biographical notes are retrospective and subject to catalogue qualifications. Locator: Lot 77, description and catalogue note. 1
  • Recognition: Official award attribution; not independent confirmation of catalogue life dates. Locator: 1997 laureates. 2

Sources

  1. Masterworks of Time, lot 77: Richard Daners, IWC and Gübelin — Astrum no. 2308220Sotheby's · Sotheby's · Auction object catalogue · 2019 (auction catalogue)

    [S0294] Sotheby's. "Masterworks of Time, lot 77: Richard Daners, IWC and Gübelin — Astrum no. 2308220." 2019 (auction catalogue). https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2019/masterworks-time-adolf-lange-golden-era-glashutte-ge1924/lot.77.html Accessed 2026-09-13. Locator: Lot 77: description and catalogue note.

    Source context

    Relationship to subject: Commercial custodian / direct object description

    How it was checked: Opened and text inspected

    Limitation: Object description identifies an IWC calibre 9720 and Daners-signed case; biographical dates are catalogue statements, not civil records. Seven-example production estimate is not adopted.

  2. The laureates since 1993Musée international d'horlogerie · Award-organizer record · Not stated

    [S0290] Musée international d'horlogerie. "The laureates since 1993." Not stated. https://www.mih.ch/en/the-laureats/ Accessed 2026-09-13. Locator: Award year and category, individually matched

    Source context

    Relationship to subject: Award organizer's own results list

    How it was checked: Opened and text inspected

    Limitation: Supports named recognition only. Roger Smith (2016 History-research) is not automatically Roger W. Smith the watchmaker.

  3. https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2019/masterworks-time-adolf-lange-golden-era-glashutte-ge1924/lot.77.html https://www.mih.ch/en/the-laureats/linked source

Corrections and stronger evidence

Names, dates, and workshop relationships can change as archives are digitised. If you have a primary source that clarifies this record, use the correction process.

Submit supporting evidence