The Watch
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It's no secret that in 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary carried a Smiths Deluxe Wristwatch to the summit of Everest. In commemoration of this Historic climb Smiths marked all their premium watches with "Everest" across the dial.
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The real selling point of these watches lie within the case, the first all English Automatic Movement ever produced. The automatic movement was the apex of technical development by Smiths. It was developed in the late 1950s in keeping to the general adoption of automatic movements by the Swiss watch industry. The cal 104G automatic movement was built on Smiths’ calibre 104 manual wind movement, designed from the outset to be adaptable to take an automatic winding module. The automatic winding system was copied from the IWC cal 853 movement, something which landed Smiths with a hefty bill for patent infringement. The automatic watch was Smiths’ most expensive model and was available in a gold or stainless steel case.
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Today's example dates from 1966 and is the premium 9ct Gold version of these wonderful Watches. The Watch has an inscription to the caseback for 25 years service for the London Electricity Board. Whoever George Pegram was it is evident he was held in very high regard by the Company. George obviously took very good care of his prized Watch as it is in fantastic condition with a lovely clean dial. The movement has been fully serviced by John Senior and is ready to wear.
The Specs
Age: 1966.
Movement: Automatic with Centre Seconds.
Calibre: 104.
Timekeeping: Keeping good time.
Service History: Fully Serviced October 2024.
Dial: Original Smiths Everest "Made in England" Factory Dial.
Case: 9ct Gold.
Case Size: 34mm.
Bezel: Solid.
Water Resistant?: No.
Hands: Original Handset.
Crystal: Correct NOS Replacement Crystal fitted During Service.
Crown: Original Crown.
Strap/Bracelet: On a new 17mm Hirsch Crocograin Leather Brown Strap with Gold Plated Buckle.
Hands: Original Handset.
Crystal: Correct NOS Replacement Crystal fitted During Service.
Crown: Original Crown.
Strap/Bracelet: On a new 17mm Hirsch Crocograin Leather Brown Strap with Gold Plated Buckle.
Lug Width: 17mm.
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- All English Automatic Movement.
- Superb Beautifully Aged Dial.
-Made in England.
-Superb Condition.
- The premium Smiths line.
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Nitty Gritty:
-Very Minor markings to Case.
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Nitty Gritty:
-Very Minor markings to Case.
-Very Minor small marks to Dial.
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Overall the Everest is in excellent condition.
The Case is in super order, for age and nature.
The Crown is Original.
Replacement NOS Crystal.
The Dial is in fantastic condition.
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Photographed on a 7in Wrist.
Photographed on a 7in Wrist.