This is a great example of the rare Smiths automatic. This watch has a 9 carat gold case and is hallmarked in Edinburgh in 1964. The dial of this watch is clean with a nice tone and good, clear printing and only the slightest amount of foxing. The dial has applied gold arabic numerals for 12, 3, 6 and 9 and dart markers for the other hours. The gold hands are original and are in similarly fine condition.The automatic movement was the apex of technical development by Smiths, indeed Smiths were the only English watch manufacturer to ever produce an automatic movement. It was developed in the late 1950s in keeping to the general adoption of automatic movements by the Swiss watch industry. The cal 104G automatic movement was built on Smiths calibre 104 manual wind movement, designed from the outset to be adaptable to take an automatic winding module. The automatic winding system was quite closely based on the the IWC cal 853. The automatic watch was Smiths’ most expensive model and was available in either a gold or stainless steel case.The dial is signed Everest, which Smiths reserved for their premium watches, it refers to the fact that Edmund Hillary carried a Smiths watch on the historic first ascent of Everest in 1953.The watch has been fully serviced and regulated and the time keeping is first class. It is supplied with a new Hirsch leather strap/ I have deliberately left the case unpolished - there is some tarnish to the gold due to it's age. I can remove this if the new owner would prefer it, but to my eyes it looks more handsome in its current state. This is a very rare watch, perfect for the person who cherishes the tradition of English-made craftsmanship.Case diameter (excluding winding crown): 34mmCase material: 9 carat gold (hallmarked 1964)strap width: 18mmtime keeping: grade A
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