This Watch

A special watch produced in half and full hunter varieties.  For partially and non-sighted people, nonetheless an interesting collectors item with robust hands and a Swiss-made, enamel dial.  This rare early example is actually a fully operating flip up lid style wristwatch with the lid opening pusher between the lower lugs.  As usual the enamel dial, which is marked Swiss made, as the Swiss enamelling was probably cheaper and better than the British equivalent. 

Top and mid section are chromed, and the baseback is steel. The watch is on a vintage style brown leather strap , with the buckle in stainless steel. .  The movement is a standard c series 12 ligne 15 jewel movement from the 1960s. Case diameter  33.5mm. This watch works perfectly and keeps great time as you would expect from a braille watch. 

The watch is in good condition with minor general wear and light scratches in some places, please study pics and if needed ask for more.

Extra Points 

Originally founded in London in 1851 by Samuel Smith, the company first established itself by making automotive dials and cockpit instruments and obtained a Royal warrant in 1907.  A factory was built in Cheltenham at the beginning of the Second World War, and it is from this factory that the majority of vintage Smiths come from.  It was at this time that Smiths’ military involvement began.  They received contracts from the MoD to provide watches, which they made from scratch.  By the end of the War, Smiths consisted of over 20 companies, ranging from motors to aviation, and, of course, clocks and watches.  By the late 1970s, the clock and watch division of the company had broken up.  The most famous Smiths wearer has to be Sir Edmund Hilary, who carried a Smiths watch to the summit of Everest.

Specs

Reference :

Movement : Manual Wind Smiths English Made

Age : 1961/1970

Specific Age : 1960s

Case Size : 33mm

Case Thickness : 11mm

Lug to Lug : 42mm

Lugs : 16mm

Condition : Pre-Owned

Box & Papers : No

Case Material :  Chrome / Steel Back