Name: Smith English made (1946)
Brand: VAT FREE
SKU: VW205
Price: 1450.0 EUR
Availability: InStock

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This is an extremely rare English watch made by Smiths from 1946. These very early watches share a lot of similarities with the so called "Mark X" military watches that Smiths were contracted to produce, but which they failed to deliver to the RAF during WW2 (the 6b/300 contract).

The watches are easily recognisable due to the "Smith" (i.e. singular) branding on the dial, coupled with the 13 ligne movement size. The basic movement was developed into their 1215 base calibre (which had 15 jewels and was 12 ligne in size). However in this earliest form the dial plate of the movement was larger at 13 ligne, something that was presumably specified by the RAF contract.

The watch can be fairly accurately dated to 1946 since in January 1947 an article appeared in the Horological Journal (the British trade magazine for the watch making industry) stating that "Production of a 12-ligne, 15-jewelled lever watch has just been started by Smiths English Clocks, Ltd., ... These watches represent Smiths first post-war effort to offer the public an all-British watch... A few 13-ligne Smith watches had previously been offered to the public but this production represented the end of a Government contract." I guess it's possible it dates from 1945 but as WW2 only ended in September it would seem more likely 1946.

The dials are very simple - stamped brass discs with single colour printing on them. The watches come in a good sized Dennison stainless steel case, with fixed bars (again something pointing to the case as being originally designed for military use).

The movement has been fully serviced and the timekeeping is acceptable - it's really not realistic to expect chronometer level performance from this generation of Smith's watches. I've fitted a nos period correct pigskin strap and the watch comes with our standard 12 month guarantee.

A rare chance to acquire one of the very earliest of Smiths production, these really don't come on the market very often.

Case diameter: 33mm
Case material: stainless steel
Strap width: 17mm
time keeping: grade B

Take a closer look

Before “Smiths,” there was Smith.

Produced in 1946, this rare English watch marks the moment Britain’s watchmaking industry returned to life - simple, purposeful, and quietly historic...

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