As many are aware I am steadily reducing the herd and I must admit I have been really well behaved lately with no purchases for a long time but and it is a big BUT something that I have been looking for for many years suddenly appeared and all my good intentions flew out of the window. The reason for this fall is a 'Smiths Everest Automatic' in steel, gold tend to appear more often but if I was going to pull the trigger it had to be steel. This 25 jewel piece from 1964 (only six years before Smiths shut up shop) runs on a SW201E reputedly a copy of the IWC Pellaton Cal.853 and the only UK manufactured automatic. To answer my own question as to why, 36mm case with small bezel makes for a nice modern size combined with a lovely champagne dial which changes colour according to different light conditions etc. etc. plus the history of the piece from the days when we were still a manufacturing nation. Enough of my drivel and some snaps taken on yet another cold and wet morning.
I wanted to say something like "Ho Hum, just an old Pommie watch nobody ever heard of". But overcoming my jealousy, I managed to appreciate what you actually have. Very nice catch Stuart .
Great catch and in such good condition. Easy to see why you were swayed. The hardest part of reducing a collection doesn't seem to be selling them off, it must be the part where you stop looking for new additions!
You had a good, well considered reason for breaking your vow of poverty. You did not chase a shiny object on a whim.
Great thread you began! Love the vintage Smiths watches with their English movements and you picked a dandy. Wow! It looks so good on that strap! You always post great photos that are a treat to view. Even if you're selling down a bit, it's heartening to hear that you still keep an eye out for a find. I learned something today. I thought that style of Smiths logo was only added after Smiths went wholly over to Swiss movements in about 1970.
Lovely watch and a real historic piece as well. I'm totally with you on this one. Not only a 160 year old company - some fascinating reading here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smiths_Group - but as an ex British sports car owner I love the instrument connection (however convoluted)
The first watch I ever owned as a young lad was a Smiths, a present from my parents. Wish I still had it. The one you have here is lovely, and I have enjoyed going down memory lane with some of the others you have shown us. Great pictures!