The Watch
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Smiths W10 Watches were supplied to and issued by the British Army. The watch was part of a contract that Smiths won to supply the Army with a General Service Watch, they supplied the Watches for the years from 1967 - 1970, this example being from the third year: 1969. July 1968 to be precise, we know this due to date code on the movement "78".
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It is known as the last all British Military Watch.
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Powering the W10 is the cal. 60466E, a 17-jewel manual movement produced in-house by Smiths. The 60466E was heavily influenced by the architecture of the Jaeger LeCoultre caliber found in the Mark XI dating back to the late ‘40s, likewise sharing a dust cover to protect the caliber from magnetization. Per military specifications, the movement hacks.
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Interestingly, we bought this directly from a Sergeant Major that had worn this whilst on duty. He writes in an email:
"Just a brief summary of where the W10 went with me over the 20 years between the late 90s and late 10s before sitting in my desk drawer.
Loads of travel around the UK training areas including Salisbury Plain. In Europe in Holland, Belgium and lots of exercises in Germany.
Further a field in Gibraltar, Cyprus, Ghana, USA, Ascension and Falkland Islands and Belize.
I acquired it as a Lance Corporal in Aldershot and was still wearing it when I became a sergeant major in Yorkshire quite a few years later."
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View this W10 in a video : here
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The Specs
Age: July 1968.
Reference: W10.
Movement: Manual wind with Hacking Centre Seconds.
Calibre: 60466E
Timekeeping: Very good.
Service History: Full Service, November 2023.
Dial: Original Smiths Mil Spec Dial.
Dial: Original Smiths Mil Spec Dial.
Case: Stainless Steel.
Measurements: without/with Crown: 35mm/38mm End to End: 47mm
Bezel: Solid.
Water Resistant?: No.
Hands: Original.
Crystal: Correct Acrylic crystal.
Crystal: Correct Acrylic crystal.
Crown: Correct Original unsigned Crown.
Strap/Bracelet: On a new 18mm Blue NATO style strap with steel fixtures.
Lug Width: 17mm
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- All British Military Watch.
- Very hard to find in such good order.
- Wonderful Dial with highly sought after Yellow Lume.
- Fantastic English made, fully serviced Movement.
- Worn on Military Duty.
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Nitty Gritty:
-Some minor marks to Case.
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Overall the W10 is in Excellent Vintage condition.
The Dial is in Wonderful condition, the lume has aged that highly desirable honey colour. Absolutely superb.
Steel Case is in very good nick, there are a few very minor age related marks.
Caseback markings are very nice.
Original Crown.
Crystal in good shape.
Hands are in lovely shape.
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Photographed on a 7in Wrist.