This 1970 Smiths W10 2971/70 is one of the last truly English watches and only all English made military watch. 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. This is a true piece of Army equipment which im sure could tell some stories. The case is in good original condition, with few signs for wear, again, as you would expect.
The all-English, 36mm, stainless unpolished steel case has curved lugs with solid, fixed bars, making it perfect of NATO straps. Its 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. W10 / 6645-99-961-4045 2971/70 - Stock,store number and issue year. Inside is the manually-wound, Smiths caliber 0466E.
The watch has been fully serviced by our on-site workshop using vintage original smiths parts. My father who started AWC in 1973 worked in the smiths watch department during the early years and is very familiar with the quality and history. We still stock most parts for vintage smiths English watches today. This watch comes with a 12 month, non-waterproof service cover.
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.
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. An all English example ,serviced by us established 1973 - Maybe my father assembled this movement in 1970 who knows.
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. Originality is important and this is a real honest example.
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
1970 Smiths W10 British Military Issue Wristwatch last issue date - Made in England
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. An all English example ,serviced by us established 1973 - Maybe my father assembled this movement in 1970 who knows. 
