Smiths W10 British Army Military Watch, ref. W10/6645-99-961-4045, 1968

Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist

Few British military watches have quite the same appeal as the Smiths W10. Produced during the late 1960s and early 1970s, these hand-wound wristwatches were supplied to the British Army at a time when dependable mechanical timekeeping remained an essential part of military equipment. Smiths was an important name in British watchmaking, with a manufacturing heritage that extended from domestic timepieces to precision instruments. Its military watches represented a particularly interesting chapter in that story, combining British manufacture with the practical requirements of service life. The W10 was designed with legibility and functionality firmly in mind. Its black dial, clear Arabic numerals, luminous hands and distinctive minute track made it easy to read, while the stainless steel case and fixed strap bars reflected the need for durability. Today, the Smiths W10 is regarded as one of the most recognisable British-issued military wristwatches of its period. Its appeal lies not in unnecessary decoration but in its purposeful design, British origins and genuine military heritage. What's on Offer Here we have a 1968 Smiths W10 British Army military wristwatch , a fine example of a British-made service timepiece with the understated character that makes these watches so appealing to collectors. The stainless steel case measures 35mm across, with a 46mm lug-to-lug length, giving it comfortable proportions and a purposeful presence on the wrist. Its simple, practical construction is entirely in keeping with the military watches of the period. The black dial is particularly attractive, featuring crisp white Arabic numerals, a railway-style minute track and luminous hour markers. The broad, luminous-filled hands are complemented by a slender central seconds hand. At 12 o'clock sits the Smiths signature and circled T marking, while the military Broad Arrow appears above 6 o'clock, with Made in England printed along the lower edge. Turning the watch over reveals the military markings, including the Broad Arrow, W10/6645-99-961-4045 and 5522/68 . The latter identifies the watch within its military issue series and confirms its 1968 date, providing an important connection to its original service history. Inside is the manually wound Smiths Calibre 60466E , a 17-jewel mechanical movement with an approximately 40-hour power reserve. The movement has been serviced by our watchmaker and is currently recording +17 seconds per day with an amplitude of 303° on the timegrapher. The watch is presented on a grey and black striped NATO-style strap, which complements its military character particularly well. Condition is very good overall. The dial is excellent, the crystal very good, and the bezel and stainless steel case show marks of wear consistent with the watch's age and military background. For anyone interested in British watchmaking or military horology, this Smiths W10 offers a particularly appealing combination of history, practical design and a serviced mechanical movement. Condition Report: Crystal: Very Good Dial: Excellent Bezel: Good Case: Good Movement: Serviced +17s/d 303° Overall: Very Good