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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Presentation wristwatch

Smiths De Luxe presentation wristwatch presented to Robert Elsdon

Partially verified

This object is a presentation wristwatch held in the Science Museum Group Collection under object number Y1989.106.3. The catalogue describes it as having leather straps, a brass encasement, and a glass face. The dial was made by Smiths Deluxe and bears the 'SMITHS DE LUXE' branding, while the strap was produced by Apollo. The reverse is engraved: 'presented to Robert Elsdon by Renold Chains Limited to mark 45 years service 1915 - 1960'. The round light dial features applied hour markers, central hands, and a sub-seconds dial positioned above the 6 o'clock mark.

Smiths De Luxe presentation wristwatch with Apollo brown leather strap
Smiths De Luxe presentation wristwatch with Apollo brown leather strap — Science Museum Group Collection © The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk
Category
Wristwatch · Presentation wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Smiths De Luxe
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Y1989.106.3
Source-reported date
1960
Country
Not established

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

Object Identity and Documentation

This presentation wristwatch is held in the Science Museum Group Collection under object number Y1989.106.3.

The reverse of the watch is engraved: 'presented to Robert Elsdon by Renold Chains Limited to mark 45 years service 1915 - 1960'. This provides the context for the item as a service award.

Evidence for this section
  • “Object Number: Y1989.106.3”
  • “Engraved on reverse: 'presented to Robert Elsdon by Renold Chains Limited to mark 45 years service 1915 - 1960'.”

Construction and Materials

The object is composed of leather, brass (copper, zinc alloy), and glass. It features a brown textured leather two-piece strap with a single-prong buckle, identified as a product of Apollo.

The watch head consists of a brass encasement and a glass face. A cylindrical winding crown is located at the 3 o'clock position.

Evidence for this section
  • “Materials: leather , brass (copper, zinc alloy) and glass”
  • “Watch; leather straps, glass face in brass encasement.”
  • “strap is made by Apollo.”
  • “Cylindrical winding crown at the 3 o'clock side of the case”
  • “Brown textured leather two-piece strap with single-prong buckle”

Dial Configuration

The dial is light-colored and circular, featuring an applied crown emblem and the branding 'SMITHS DE LUXE' printed below the 12 o'clock position. The indices and hands are described as gilt-toned.

A subsidiary seconds dial is positioned at the 6 o'clock mark.

Evidence for this section
  • “Light-coloured circular dial with subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position”
  • “Applied crown emblem and 'SMITHS DE LUXE' printed below 12 o'clock”
  • “Gilt-toned hour indices and matching hands”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific movement caliber contained within the watch?
  • Are there any maker's marks or hallmarks present on the interior of the caseback?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Smiths De Luxe presentation wristwatch presented to Robert Elsdon
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Object NumberY1989.106.3“Object Number: Y1989.106.3”
Reverse Engravingpresented to Robert Elsdon by Renold Chains Limited to mark 45 years service 1915 - 1960“Engraved on reverse: 'presented to Robert Elsdon by Renold Chains Limited to mark 45 years service 1915 - 1960'.”
Face MakerSmiths Deluxe“Watch face made by Smiths Deluxe”
Strap MakerApollo“strap is made by Apollo.”
Materialsleather, brass (copper, zinc alloy) and glass“Materials: leather , brass (copper, zinc alloy) and glass”

Visible details

  • Light-coloured circular dial with subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position
  • Gilt-toned hour indices and matching hands
  • Brown textured leather two-piece strap with single-prong buckle
  • Cylindrical winding crown at the 3 o'clock side of the case
  • Applied crown emblem and 'SMITHS DE LUXE' printed below 12 o'clock

Research qualifications

  • The engraved caseback and interior movement are not visible in the photograph.
  • The source text spells the dial maker 'Smiths Deluxe', while the dial displays 'SMITHS DE LUXE'.

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

Consulted source

watch presented to Robert Elsdon by Renold Chains Limited to mark 45 years service | Science Museum Group Collection

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record f09d424ca7

Terms in this record

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

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