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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Military wristwatch

Smiths W10 British Army Military Watch (1968)

Partially verified

This 1968 Smiths W10 is a British Army-issued military wristwatch housed in a stainless steel case with fixed strap bars. The matte black dial displays white Arabic numerals, a segmented outer minute track, tritium hour markers, and the British government Broad Arrow emblem above 6 o'clock. A circled 'T' sits beneath the Smiths signature, and 'MADE IN ENGLAND' curves along the lower dial perimeter. The screw-down stainless steel caseback is engraved with military markings 'W10/6645-99-961-4045', the Broad Arrow, and issue code '1258/68'. The source reports the watch is driven by a 17-jewel manual-wind Calibre 60466E movement featuring a hacking seconds mechanism.

Front view of the Smiths W10 wristwatch on a wrist showing the dial, hands, and striped strap
Front view of the Smiths W10 wristwatch on a wrist showing the dial, hands, and striped strap — Vintage Watch Specialist. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
vintagewatchspecialist.com
Category
Wristwatch · Military wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Smiths
Reference
W10/6645-99-961-4045
Catalogue / lot identifier
vws4472cs
Source-reported date
1968
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
1258/68

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

Dial Configuration

The watch features a matte black dial with white Arabic numerals and a segmented minute track. Luminous material is present on the hour markers and the hour and minute hands, while a central white hand tracks the seconds.

Dial text includes the 'Smiths' signature, a circled 'T' symbol, the British government Broad Arrow emblem above the 6 o'clock position, and 'MADE IN ENGLAND' along the lower perimeter.

Evidence for this section
  • “The matt black dial is wonderfully purposeful and remains highly legible, with crisp white Arabic numerals surrounded by the distinctive segmented minute track.”
  • “Beneath the Smiths signature is the circled T, denoting the use of tritium luminous material.”
  • “Prominently displayed above 6 o'clock is the Broad Arrow, identifying the watch as British government property, while MADE IN ENGLAND curves around the bottom of the dial.”

Case and Military Markings

The watch is housed in a stainless steel case with fixed strap bars. The caseback displays the military issue reference 'W10/6645-99-961-4045', the Broad Arrow symbol, and the issue code '1258/68'.

The timepiece is presented on a black and grey striped NATO-style strap. The crystal is stated to be Plexiglass.

Evidence for this section
  • “The stainless-steel case features the fixed strap bars characteristic of a military watch intended to be worn on a one-piece strap.”
  • “It is engraved W10/6645-99-961-4045, together with the Broad Arrow and 1258/68.”
  • “The watch is fitted to a black and grey NATO-style strap”
  • “Crystal Plexiglass”

Movement

The movement is identified as a 17-jewel manual-wind Smiths Calibre 60466E. The source describes the movement as featuring a hacking seconds mechanism.

The internal condition and movement components were not verified for this record.

Evidence for this section
  • “At its heart is the manually wound Smiths Calibre 60466E, a 17-jewel movement made in England.”
  • “Pulling the crown into the setting position stops the seconds hand, allowing watches to be accurately synchronised”

Open research questions

  • Is there a documented variance between the 'Green NATO Style Strap' listed in the specification table and the 'black and grey' strap shown in the imagery?
  • What are the specific archival records associated with military serial number 1258/68?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Smiths W10 British Army Military Watch (1968)
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Caseback EngravingW10/6645-99-961-4045 1258/68“It is engraved W10/6645-99-961-4045, together with the Broad Arrow and 1258/68.”
Movement Calibre60466E“Calibre 60466E”
Lug Width17mm“Lug width 17mm”
CrystalPlexiglass“Crystal Plexiglass”
Dial MarkingsMADE IN ENGLAND“while MADE IN ENGLAND curves around the bottom of the dial.”

Visible details

  • Matte black dial with white Arabic numerals, hour dots, and a triangular marker at 12 o'clock.
  • Circled 'T' printed beneath the Smiths logo indicating tritium luminescence.
  • British military Broad Arrow emblem printed above 6 o'clock and 'MADE IN ENGLAND' along the bottom dial edge.
  • Stainless steel case fitted with fixed strap bars, shown worn on a striped black and grey NATO-style strap.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement and caseback are described by the source but not visible in the provided wrist photograph.
  • Listing specification table notes 'Green NATO Style Strap' while the narrative and photo feature a black and grey striped strap.

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

Consulted source

1968 Smiths W10 Military Watch | Vintage Watch Specialist

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 7097bfcf10

Terms in this record

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

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