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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Military wristwatch

1969 Smiths W10 British Manual Wind Military Watch

Partially verified

This is a British military manual-wind wristwatch attributed to Smiths, catalogued as reference W10 and dated to 1969 by the auction house. Offered as lot 406 by Farber Auctioneers and Appraisers, the watch features a stainless steel case reported as 35 mm in diameter and 47 mm from lug tip to lug tip. The source reports a manual-wind caliber 27.CS movement. The black dial presents Arabic numeral hour markers, an outer track, a central seconds hand, a circled 'T' symbol beneath the maker's mark, a military broad arrow symbol above the 6 o'clock position, and the inscription 'MADE IN ENGLAND' at the bottom.

Front view of the Smiths W10 wristwatch showing dial, case, and grey textile strap
Front view of the Smiths W10 wristwatch showing dial, case, and grey textile strap — Farber Auctioneers and Appraisers. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bidsquare.com
Category
Wristwatch · Military wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Smiths
Reference
W10
Catalogue / lot identifier
406
Source-reported date
1969
Country
United Kingdom

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Identity and Military Markings

Catalogued as lot 406 by Farber Auctioneers and Appraisers, this wristwatch is designated with reference or model W10, attributed to Smiths as designer, and titled with a 1969 date. Visible dial features include a printed circled 'T' symbol below the maker name and a broad arrow marking positioned above 6 o'clock.

The dial displays white Arabic numeral hour markers and a perimeter minute track against a black background, with 'MADE IN ENGLAND' marked along the lower edge. External knowledge claims regarding specific military contract specifications or tritium definitions are not stated in the source text.

Evidence for this section
  • “Designer : Smiths”
  • “Reference/Model: : W10”
  • “Dial features a circled 'T' mark under 'SMITHS' and a military broad arrow marking above 6 o'clock.”
  • “Lower dial edge is marked 'MADE IN ENGLAND'.”

Case and External Construction

The case material is catalogued as stainless steel, with measurements given as a 35 mm case diameter and 47 mm from lug tip to lug tip. Visible imagery shows the watch mounted on a grey woven fabric pass-through strap fitted with steel hardware.

The auction description claims the piece is 'All original' and notes that it is in 'great pre-owned condition'. The reverse of the case is not depicted in the provided photograph, and no case-back engravings, military serial numbers, or lug bar construction details are recorded in the listing.

Evidence for this section
  • “Metal : Stainless Steel”
  • “Measurements : 35mm case diameter x 47mm lug tip to lug tip”
  • “Condition : Watch is in great pre-owned condition”
  • “Additional : All original”
  • “Fitted with a grey woven fabric pass-through strap with steel hardware.”

Reported Movement and Technical Data

The movement is listed as 'Manual cal 27.CS- working order' with functions recorded as hours, minutes, and seconds. The caliber itself is not depicted in the listing imagery, so its condition, markings, and construction are not visually corroborated.

Dating of the watch to 1969 relies entirely on the auction house title and description. No movement serial number, manufacturing ledger, or case-back date stamp is provided in the source documentation to verify this year.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement : Manual cal 27.CS- working order”
  • “Functions : Hours, Minutes, Seconds”
  • “1969 Smiths W10 British Manual Wind Military Watch”

Open research questions

  • What military contract or issue markings, stores reference numbers, and dates are engraved on the case back?
  • Can direct visual inspection of the movement confirm the caliber 27.CS designation and serial numbering?
  • Does the case construction utilize fixed bars or removable spring bars between the lugs?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for 1969 Smiths W10 British Manual Wind Military Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerSmiths“Designer : Smiths”
Movement CaliberManual cal 27.CS“Movement : Manual cal 27.CS- working order”
ReferenceW10“Reference/Model: : W10”
Case MaterialStainless Steel“Metal : Stainless Steel”
Dimensions35mm case diameter x 47mm lug tip to lug tip“Measurements : 35mm case diameter x 47mm lug tip to lug tip”
FunctionsHours, Minutes, Seconds“Functions : Hours, Minutes, Seconds”
Originality ClaimAll original (seller-reported)“Additional : All original”
Seller Condition AssessmentWatch is in great pre-owned condition (seller-reported)“Condition : Watch is in great pre-owned condition”

Visible details

  • Black dial with printed white Arabic hour markers and perimeter minute track.
  • Dial features a circled 'T' mark under 'SMITHS' and a military broad arrow marking above 6 o'clock.
  • Lower dial edge is marked 'MADE IN ENGLAND'.
  • Fitted with a grey woven fabric pass-through strap with steel hardware.

Research qualifications

  • Movement and case back are not depicted in the provided photograph; caliber 27.CS is source-reported.
  • Dating to 1969 is based entirely on the auction house title and description.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

1969 Smiths W10 British Manual Wind Military Watch sold at auction on 17th December | Bidsquare

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 543e60d634

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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