Smiths De Luxe Ref. A501 gold vintage wristwatch, hallmarked 1958
smiths-de-luxe-gold-vintage-wristwatch-hallmarked-1958-wwsgbw-v03
smiths-de-luxe-gold-vintage-wristwatch-hallmarked-1958-wwsgbw-v02
smiths-de-luxe-gold-vintage-wristwatch-hallmarked-1958-wwsgbw-v05
smiths-de-luxe-gold-vintage-wristwatch-hallmarked-1958-wwsgbw-v21
smiths-de-luxe-gold-vintage-wristwatch-hallmarked-1958-wwsgbw-v033
smiths-de-luxe-gold-vintage-wristwatch-hallmarked-1958-wwsgbw-v08
smiths-de-luxe-gold-vintage-wristwatch-hallmarked-1958-wwsgbw-v022
smiths-de-luxe-gold-vintage-wristwatch-hallmarked-1958-wwsgbw-v11
Smiths De Luxe Ref. A501 gold vintage wristwatch, hallmarked 1958
smiths-de-luxe-gold-vintage-wristwatch-hallmarked-1958-wwsgbw-v03
smiths-de-luxe-gold-vintage-wristwatch-hallmarked-1958-wwsgbw-v02
smiths-de-luxe-gold-vintage-wristwatch-hallmarked-1958-wwsgbw-v05
smiths-de-luxe-gold-vintage-wristwatch-hallmarked-1958-wwsgbw-v21
smiths-de-luxe-gold-vintage-wristwatch-hallmarked-1958-wwsgbw-v033
smiths-de-luxe-gold-vintage-wristwatch-hallmarked-1958-wwsgbw-v08
smiths-de-luxe-gold-vintage-wristwatch-hallmarked-1958-wwsgbw-v022
smiths-de-luxe-gold-vintage-wristwatch-hallmarked-1958-wwsgbw-v11

Smiths De Luxe Ref. A.501 gold vintage wristwatch, hallmarked 1958

A 9ct yellow gold English made wristwatch with original presentation case

Formed in the early 20th century, the English firm of S. Smith & Sons initially retailed both Swiss and English watches and clocks. During the Second World War, the company manufactured their own watches for the military but, from the mid 1940s, Smiths began to produce higher grade wristwatches which led to a transformation of their in-house production. In 1953, Smiths performed a marketing coup by supplying Edmund Hillary with a watch for his ascent of Everest. Seizing on the advertising opportunities, Smiths launched a campaign picturing a Smiths de Luxe watch on top of Everest with a quote from Hillary beneath stating: “I carried your watch to the summit. It worked perfectly.” The watch that Hillary wore, bore the same Smiths calibre as found in the present watch, the calibre 12.15. Smiths designed the 12.15 calibre with a traditionally English inspired finish with gilded, frosted plates and the movements quickly gained a reputation for their reliability and quality.

A very handsome example of the De Luxe model, this Smiths watch is complete with its original silk and velvet lined presentation case. The silvered dial is in lovely original condition with raised and gilded Arabic numerals and hands. Housed in a 9ct yellow gold case which was made for Smiths by the English case making company Dennison, the bezel is flat, whilst the slim lugs have an attractive, angular down-turn.

[video_lightbox_youtube video_id="EoMZSzLXnTw&rel=false" width="640" height="480" anchor="https://www.blackbough.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/video-play.png"]


Technical details 

[M] Smiths calibre 12.15 frosted and gilded movement, lever escapement, 15 jewels, compensation balance, 18,000 BPH [D] silvered dial, raised gilded Arabic numerals, engine-turned subsidiary seconds dial, black outer minute track, gilded hands [C] 9ct yellow gold circular case, bezel with flat upper and faceted sides, downwardly faceted lugs, flat gold snap-on case back [S] dial signed Smiths de Luxe, case signed by Dennison

Measurements

Diameter excluding winding crown: 31mm
Length including lugs: 38mm
Depth to centre of crystal: 9.5mm
Lug gauge/strap width: 16mm
Total weight of watch: 29g

All our watches have been fully serviced and overhauled and are sold with a one year guarantee and detailed Black Bough certificate.

SKU: WWSGBW Categories: , Brand:

Description

Smiths De Luxe Ref. A.501 gold vintage wristwatch, hallmarked 1958
A 9ct yellow gold English made wristwatch with original presentation case

Formed in the early 20th century, the English firm of S. Smith & Sons initially retailed both Swiss and English watches and clocks. During the Second World War, the company manufactured their own watches for the military but, from the mid 1940s, Smiths began to produce higher grade wristwatches which led to a transformation of their in-house production. In 1953, Smiths performed a marketing coup by supplying Edmund Hillary with a watch for his ascent of Everest. Seizing on the advertising opportunities, Smiths launched a campaign picturing a Smiths de Luxe watch on top of Everest with a quote from Hillary beneath stating: “I carried your watch to the summit. It worked perfectly.” The watch that Hillary wore, bore the same Smiths calibre as found in the present watch, the calibre 12.15. Smiths designed the 12.15 calibre with a traditionally English inspired finish with gilded, frosted plates and the movements quickly gained a reputation for their reliability and quality.

A very handsome example of the De Luxe model, this Smiths watch is complete with its original silk and velvet lined presentation case. The silvered dial is in lovely original condition with raised and gilded Arabic numerals and hands. Housed in a 9ct yellow gold case which was made for Smiths by the English case making company Dennison, the bezel is flat, whilst the slim lugs have an attractive, angular down-turn.

[video_lightbox_youtube video_id="EoMZSzLXnTw&rel=false" width="640" height="480" anchor="https://www.blackbough.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/video-play.png"]


Technical details 

[M] Smiths calibre 12.15 frosted and gilded movement, lever escapement, 15 jewels, compensation balance, 18,000 BPH [D] silvered dial, raised gilded Arabic numerals, engine-turned subsidiary seconds dial, black outer minute track, gilded hands [C] 9ct yellow gold circular case, bezel with flat upper and faceted sides, downwardly faceted lugs, flat gold snap-on case back [S] dial signed Smiths de Luxe, case signed by Dennison

Measurements

Diameter excluding winding crown: 31mm
Length including lugs: 38mm
Depth to centre of crystal: 9.5mm
Lug gauge/strap width: 16mm
Total weight of watch: 29g

All our watches have been fully serviced and overhauled and are sold with a one year guarantee and detailed Black Bough certificate.

£550.00 [Sold]