Originally founded in London in 1851 by Samuel Smith, the company first established itself by making automotive dials and cockpit instruments and obtained a Royal warrant in 1907. A factory was built in Cheltenham at the beginning of the Second World War, and it is from this factory that the majority of vintage Smiths come from. It was at this time that Smiths’ military involvement began. They received contracts from the MoD to provide watches, which they made from scratch. By the end of the War, Smiths consisted of over 20 companies, ranging from motors to aviation, and, of course, clocks and watches. By the late 1970s, the clock and watch division of the company had broken up. The most famous Smiths wearer has to be Sir Edmund Hilary, who carried a Smiths watch to the summit of Everest.
The all-English, 36mm, stainless steel case has curved lugs with solid, fixed bars, making it perfect of NATO straps. It brushed case makes it less reflective and gives its rugged good looks. A domed crystal sits above the matt black dial. Lume pips are painted onto the rail minute track. Arabic numerals indicated the hours. Sword hands and centre seconds hand have a lume infill. “T” in a circle to indicate a Tritium lume. The Broad Arrow, which has been used to mark property of the government or Crown since the 17th Century, sits at the 6 o’clock position to signify its Military DNA. The screw-down case back has the military engraving around the edge. Inside is the manually-wound, Smiths caliber 0466E.
Extra Points
This 1970 Smiths W10 is one of the last truly English watches, including all its components and movement, which have been manufactured in England.
The dial and hands are showing signs of age you’d expect to see from a 50 year old military watch. The case is in very good condition, with few signs for wear, again, as you would expect.
The watch has been fully serviced by our on-site workshop and comes with a 12 month, non-waterproof service cover.
What we think
There is something truly amazing about wearing a military watch, never knowing what it may have seen or been through throughout its life, whose wrist it was on etc... That is what I think people are drawn to with military watches - the unknown, but the potential.
Smiths W10s have seen a steady increase in value over recent years and it doesn’t show any signs of slowing down as more people are discovering this underrated brand
Spec Stuff
Reference : W10 / 6645-99-961-4045
Movement : Manual Wind Cal. 0466E Age :1961/1970 Specific Age :1970 Case Size : 36mm Case Thickness :11mm Lug to Lug : 47mm Lugs :18mm Condition : Pre-Owned Box & Papers : No Case Material :Stainless Steel Service History : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
There is something truly amazing about wearing a military watch, never knowing what it may have seen or been through throughout its life, whose wrist it was on etc... That is what I think people are drawn to with military watches - the unknown, but the potential.
