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Old Expat Beast · 7 July 2020, 06:16 PM

Any Smiths owners or collectors here, I wonder?

I've been wanting to pick one up for ages, as I grew up near where they were made in England, and my father had one. One of the guys in Japan who usually sells me Seikos had this available the other day so I snapped it up.

The solid 9ct gold case was made by Dennison, who also made cases for Rolex, Tudor and Omega at the time (and JLC I think), and was hallmarked in Birmingham in 1959. I can't believe how well preserved it is, and the movement is putting up respectable numbers on the timegrapher, too (+25/210/0.0) with a healthy 42-hour power reserve.

Hoping to see some other Imperials, as well as De Luxe models, Everests, Empires, Astrals, W10s and others if here anyone has them

Old Expat Beast · 7 July 2020, 06:22 PM

Further reading about Smiths here in GQ Magazine: https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/articl...smiths-watches

fmc000 · 7 July 2020, 07:21 PM

Nice one! Looks like it was barely worn. Congrats.

Old Expat Beast · 7 July 2020, 11:12 PM

Thank you Fabio

yoast · 8 July 2020, 01:26 AM

looks really nice! I like the seconds hand

stevedssd · 8 July 2020, 05:51 AM

I commented in the What Are You Wearing Today thread, this is an absolute beauty of a watch and that paperwork and box looks almost mint. Such a shame that they went out of business in the early 70's.............I have two of the Timefactors Smiths "re-issues", they are great watches for the money and a tribute to the Smiths brand but not in this league

Old Expat Beast · 8 July 2020, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yoast

looks really nice! I like the seconds hand

Thanks Joost

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevedssd

I commented in the What Are You Wearing Today thread, this is an absolute beauty of a watch and that paperwork and box looks almost mint. Such a shame that they went out of business in the early 70's.............I have two of the Timefactors Smiths "re-issues", they are great watches for the money and a tribute to the Smiths brand but not in this league

Thanks mate, yeah I was looking at the Timefactors Smiths the other day. They do look pretty nice. I like the Air Ministry. Feel free to add pics here!

mps354 · 8 July 2020, 10:02 AM

I like it, congrats! Really like the hands

Old Expat Beast · 8 July 2020, 11:17 AM

Thanks Mike

I just found this 1954 ad on eBay which I thought was quite interesting.

stevedssd · 9 July 2020, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Thanks mate, yeah I was looking at the Timefactors Smiths the other day. They do look pretty nice. I like the Air Ministry. Feel free to add pics here!

Here's my two. The Air Ministry has a lovely vintage vibe and feels completely different to the Military, despite having the same case

Old Expat Beast · 9 July 2020, 06:20 PM

Thanks, I was looking forward to seeing these. The W10 is also great; I think these are the two I'd go for, too. Maybe one day!

Deaf Stan · 2 October 2020, 07:43 PM

There's a dedicated Smiths forum here:

https://www.mwrforum.net/forums/foru...Vintage-Smiths

The Sub-lime One · 22 October 2020, 07:06 PM

Cracking watch.

spoilsofwar01 · 12 March 2021, 07:18 AM

My Smiths 1968 W10, Awesome piece of English history

Ive since learnt, they were worn during the Falklands war and reissued during the 1st gulf war as the G10's failed due to the conditions, not bad for a watch dated 1968.

Old Expat Beast · 12 March 2021, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spoilsofwar01

My Smiths 1968 W10, Awesome piece of English history

Ive since learnt, they were worn during the Falklands war and reissued during the 1st gulf war as the G10's failed due to the conditions, not bad for a watch dated 1968.

Very nice indeed. Those are worth a few bob these days

Brew · 12 March 2021, 09:34 AM

Each is understated, handsome, and useful. Love these.

CPRWATCH · 17 March 2021, 06:36 AM

I think this is quite a early 6RG model from the mid 40s ( after WWll), there isn’t a great deal of information about them available. And considering it’s size it extremely legible too .

Old Expat Beast · 17 March 2021, 09:05 AM

It's certainly got that classic '40s look, and I like that subdial. Very nice piece

Golden Ellipse · 17 March 2021, 10:46 AM

That’s a beautiful, classic, and interesting piece — excellent snag!

Justindo · 18 March 2021, 05:28 PM

That's a great looking watch. Congratulations. Every Smiths that I've seen looks great, which is evidenced by the photos in this thread.

emersm · 18 March 2021, 08:28 PM

Adam, that watch is stunning! 34mm?

Old Expat Beast · 18 March 2021, 08:34 PM

Thanks a lot guys . . . Merle, glad you like it....it's 33mm. Wears a little larger though, cos it's lotsa dial!

Here's the movement and caseback . . .

winst · 18 March 2021, 08:59 PM

Nice watch!

spoilsofwar01 · 20 March 2021, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Very nice indeed. Those are worth a few bob these days

Cheers fella, I missed the boat but eventually picked this one up, They've all had a hard life and poor relumes when reissued, I huge dent was in the side of the lug but for £200 I had the dial tidied and the cast laser welded, it was well worth doing,

kieselguhr · 22 March 2021, 04:15 PM

Do you consider the newer timefactors-smiths watches too Adam or just the vintage Smiths

Old Expat Beast · 22 March 2021, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

Do you consider the newer timefactors-smiths watches too Adam or just the vintage Smiths

Well, I guess they're Smiths in name, as they're licensed, but from what I know they're made in Hong Kong with Japanese movements, so while I appreciate the effort in resurrecting the name, I'm not sure I think of them as "real" Smiths watches. I'd happily wear one, though.

kieselguhr · 23 March 2021, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Well, I guess they're Smiths in name, as they're licensed, but from what I know they're made in Hong Kong with Japanese movements, so while I appreciate the effort in resurrecting the name, I'm not sure I think of them as "real" Smiths watches. I'd happily wear one, though.

Ahh I see. Thank you for your perspective Adam. I swear I have seen a few older smiths watches while shopping with my mother at the local thrift stores but I never knew about their provenance. What a shame that my ignorance caused me to miss out on lovely vintage time pieces

Goose 104 · 23 March 2021, 07:46 AM

I'm really happy with my Timefactors Smiths Expedition. My unboxing video is here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25bikYcHM2w

Goose 104 · 23 March 2021, 07:53 AM

Some pictures of mine.

Old Expat Beast · 23 March 2021, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

Ahh I see. Thank you for your perspective Adam. I swear I have seen a few older smiths watches while shopping with my mother at the local thrift stores but I never knew about their provenance. What a shame that my ignorance caused me to miss out on lovely vintage time pieces

I've thought that to myself many times over the years

7 July 2020, 06:16 PM	#1
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Far East Watch: Golden Tuna Posts: 28,825	*The SMITHS Watches Owners & Collectors Club* Any Smiths owners or collectors here, I wonder? I've been wanting to pick one up for ages, as I grew up near where they were made in England, and my father had one. One of the guys in Japan who usually sells me Seikos had this available the other day so I snapped it up. The solid 9ct gold case was made by Dennison, who also made cases for Rolex, Tudor and Omega at the time (and JLC I think), and was hallmarked in Birmingham in 1959. I can't believe how well preserved it is, and the movement is putting up respectable numbers on the timegrapher, too (+25/210/0.0) with a healthy 42-hour power reserve. Hoping to see some other Imperials, as well as De Luxe models, Everests, Empires, Astrals, W10s and others if here anyone has them Attached Images __________________ _______________________ Last edited by Old Expat Beast; 9 July 2020 at 08:08 PM..

7 July 2020, 06:22 PM	#2
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Far East Watch: Golden Tuna Posts: 28,825	Further reading about Smiths here in GQ Magazine: https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/articl...smiths-watches __________________ _______________________

7 July 2020, 11:12 PM	#4
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Far East Watch: Golden Tuna Posts: 28,825	Thank you Fabio __________________ _______________________

8 July 2020, 01:26 AM	#5
yoast "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: HK Posts: 2,288	looks really nice! I like the seconds hand __________________ IG: @yoast.watch https://www.instagram.com/yoast.watch/

8 July 2020, 11:17 AM	#9
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Far East Watch: Golden Tuna Posts: 28,825	Thanks Mike I just found this 1954 ad on eBay which I thought was quite interesting. Attached Images __________________ _______________________

7 July 2020, 07:21 PM	#3
fmc000 Banned Join Date: Sep 2011 Real Name: Fabio Location: Como - Italy Posts: 4,811	Nice one! Looks like it was barely worn. Congrats.

8 July 2020, 05:51 AM	#6
stevedssd "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK Posts: 2,205	I commented in the What Are You Wearing Today thread, this is an absolute beauty of a watch and that paperwork and box looks almost mint. Such a shame that they went out of business in the early 70's.............I have two of the Timefactors Smiths "re-issues", they are great watches for the money and a tribute to the Smiths brand but not in this league

8 July 2020, 10:02 AM	#8
mps354 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Real Name: Mike Location: CT Posts: 9,098	I like it, congrats! Really like the hands

9 July 2020, 06:20 PM	#11
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Far East Watch: Golden Tuna Posts: 28,825	Thanks, I was looking forward to seeing these. The W10 is also great; I think these are the two I'd go for, too. Maybe one day! __________________ _______________________

2 October 2020, 07:43 PM	#12
Deaf Stan "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: England Posts: 79	There's a dedicated Smiths forum here: https://www.mwrforum.net/forums/foru...Vintage-Smiths

22 October 2020, 07:06 PM	#13
The Sub-lime One "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Real Name: Dee Location: London Posts: 927	Cracking watch. Attached Images

12 March 2021, 07:18 AM	#14
spoilsofwar01 "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2017 Real Name: "H" Location: England Watch: ing Rainclouds Posts: 1,439	Smiths W10 My Smiths 1968 W10, Awesome piece of English history Ive since learnt, they were worn during the Falklands war and reissued during the 1st gulf war as the G10's failed due to the conditions, not bad for a watch dated 1968. Attached Images __________________ "H" 5513 Submariner 1968 114270 Explorer 2005 Smiths W10 1968 Tissot Seastar 2011

12 March 2021, 09:34 AM	#16
Brew "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Real Name: Larry Location: Finger Lakes Posts: 6,007	Each is understated, handsome, and useful. Love these.

17 March 2021, 06:36 AM	#17
CPRWATCH "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2016 Real Name: Paul Location: Chester UK Watch: Rolex GMT Master Posts: 4,600	I think this is quite a early 6RG model from the mid 40s ( after WWll), there isn’t a great deal of information about them available. And considering it’s size it extremely legible too . Attached Images

17 March 2021, 09:05 AM	#18
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Far East Watch: Golden Tuna Posts: 28,825	It's certainly got that classic '40s look, and I like that subdial. Very nice piece __________________ _______________________

17 March 2021, 10:46 AM	#19
Golden Ellipse 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Family first Posts: 652	That’s a beautiful, classic, and interesting piece — excellent snag!

18 March 2021, 05:28 PM	#20
Justindo "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: California Posts: 2,176	That's a great looking watch. Congratulations. Every Smiths that I've seen looks great, which is evidenced by the photos in this thread.

18 March 2021, 08:28 PM	#21
emersm 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Real Name: Merle Location: USA Watch: Rolex Posts: 2,542	Adam, that watch is stunning! 34mm?

18 March 2021, 08:34 PM	#22
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Far East Watch: Golden Tuna Posts: 28,825	Thanks a lot guys . . . Merle, glad you like it....it's 33mm. Wears a little larger though, cos it's lotsa dial! Here's the movement and caseback . . . Attached Images __________________ _______________________

18 March 2021, 08:59 PM	#23
winst "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: UK Posts: 6,642	Nice watch!

22 March 2021, 04:15 PM	#25
kieselguhr "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2013 Real Name: Nick Location: Las Vegas Watch: 1601 Posts: 10,623	Do you consider the newer timefactors-smiths watches too Adam or just the vintage Smiths

23 March 2021, 07:46 AM	#28
Goose 104 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: UK Watch: 126622 Posts: 961	I'm really happy with my Timefactors Smiths Expedition. My unboxing video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25bikYcHM2w __________________ ♛126622 Rhodium // ♛126234 Blue //♛126613LB // ♛126000 Green + more ♛ 76213 Prince Date+Day // Black Bay 58 // Black Bay Harrods // Heritage Advisor // Vertex M100 + more...

23 March 2021, 07:53 AM	#29
Goose 104 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: UK Watch: 126622 Posts: 961	Some pictures of mine. __________________ ♛126622 Rhodium // ♛126234 Blue //♛126613LB // ♛126000 Green + more ♛ 76213 Prince Date+Day // Black Bay 58 // Black Bay Harrods // Heritage Advisor // Vertex M100 + more...

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