Here we have a clean example of a 1960 Smiths Deluxe shockproof 9ct gold watch. It is a presentation watch with the engraving for 45 years of service with British Rail Western Region to the rear. It has the 31mm 9ct gold case with the polished finish. The dial has the off-white satin tone with the applied Arabic numerals. It is signed with the Smiths cornet logo and name below 12. The sub-second dial is set at 6 o’clock with the grained concentric circles. It has the thermally blued lance alpha hands which catch the eye. It is signed to the rear with the presentation engraving “BR (British Rail) Western region, A.E. Baines, In appreciation of 45 years service.
The inside of the case has the hallmarking from London assay office for 9ct gold with the ‘SCW’ makers mark. Inside is the classic gilt finish Smiths Made in England calibre 6010, which has been recently serviced.
The personal engraving is to Alfred E Baines, who was born on the 16/01/1902. He grew up very locally to Bold Timepieces at 54 Gilbert Road, Redfield in Bristol. He was listed as a Railway clerk within the Bristol area.
We adore these engravings as they represent a time when the gold watch was something to be cherished upon retirement. It represented a recognition of a lifetime of loyalty and service with a company. With 45 yeas of service this meant Alfred had worked with British Rail from leaving school, right up until his retirement.
The dial is clean and classic. It has the off-white satin tone which provides a good clear base. The dash minute markers sit around the exterior with the wider markers every 5 minutes beneath the hour markers. The hour markers are applied which gives a pleasing depth to the dial. They are a silver tone which has oxidised lightly with age and has some slight corrosion. It is signed below 12 o’clock with the Smiths cornet logo ‘Smiths’ name and ‘De Luxe’ model signing. It is also marked as ‘15 jewels’ and ‘shockproof’ above the sub-second dial. The sub-seconds are well sized at 6 o’clock. It is inset into the dial giving it depth, with the grained concentric circles adding texture. It has the Arabic signing on the quarters with the dashes to the 5 second graduations. To the base of the dial it is signed with the ‘Made in England’ text. The hour and minute hands are of Lance Alpha style with the thermally blued finish which is bright and even. The sub-second hand has the lollipop counter-balance with the same thermally blued tone.
The case is a classic gents size at 31mm wide. The lug-to-lug length is just over 38mm which adds presence on the wrist. The gold tone is good and even with the polished finish all over. It has the thin tapered lugs which complement the thin bezel well. The sides of the case are flat and flow into the snap on case back. It is signed with the presentation engraving for an impressive 45 years service with British Rail. The inside of the case back has the circular brushed finish and is signed with hallmarking from London assay office dating to 1960. It has the ‘SCW’ makers mark and is a good quality and heavy case.
Inside the movement is the Smiths calibre 6010. It is the classic English Made movement of good quality. It has the gilt finishing and is manually wound with a jewel count of 15. It has the added benefit of shock-proofing. It has been recently serviced and has a daily variation of +20 seconds a day with a strong amplitude.
The watch is modelled on a 7” wrist circumference.
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Dial:
The dial is original and is in good condition for the age. It is a white/silver satin tone. It has some light marks associated with age. The hour markers are good and have the slight oxidised tone.
Hands:
The hands are original and are of Lance Alpha style. They are thermally blued and have the bright and even tone.
Glass:
The acrylic crystal is a replacement which is in good condition.
Crown:
The crown is original and is has some marking associated with age.
Case:
The case is 9ct gold and is in good condition. The tone of the yellow gold is good and even. It has some light marking associated with age. The hallmark to the side of the case has slightly rubbed.
Caseback:
The snap on case back is formed of 9ct gold and is in good condition. It has the polished finish with light marking. It has the personal engraving.
Strap:
The leather strap is a recent replacement, of vintage style. The buckle is unbranded gold plated. It will fit up to a 7.5” wrist circumference.
Movement:
The movement is a Smiths calibre 6010 which is manually wound. It has been recently serviced and is keeping time to within +20 seconds per day, with an amplitude of 295 degrees and a beat error of 0.2 m/s.
Case Dimensions:
Case width: 31mm
Case width with crown: 32.5mm
Case length: 31mm
Case length lug to lug: 38.3mm
Case depth: 9.75mm
Lug width: 16mm