Up for sale is an exceptional and highly collectible example of post-war British

watchmaking from the historic Cheltenham factory. This mid-1950s Smiths De Luxe houses

a premium in-house 17-jewel manual wind movement and features a rare,

military/expedition-style matte black dial configuration in crisp, unrestored condition that is

almost blemish-free.

This watch houses a completely hand-assembled, in-house English movement built at the

Cheltenham factory. In the 1950s, these premium 17-jewel Smiths calibres were

engineered specifically to compete directly with top-tier Swiss movements of the era,

offering matching precision, hand-finished frosted 24-carat gilt plating with incredible

durability. It represents the very best of traditional British watchmaking before the industry

transitioned to mass production.

Movement: 100% In-House English Smiths Calibre 27.CS (Central Sweep Seconds).

Features beautiful frosted gilt plates, stamped cleanly with "Made in England" and "17

Jewels".

Serial & Batch Codes: Serial number C283093 with the internal factory "J" code

stamped cleanly above it, definitively dating production to the historic 1955–1956

assembly window.

Dial & Layout: Factory-original, untouched Matte Black Dial. Features applied gold

double-battens at 12 o'clock, elongated gold battens at 3, 6, and 9, and original

recessed luminous aged dots.

Hands Set: Gold hour and minute alpha hands with crescent arrow-back

counterweights. The hands feature preserved factory-curved cambered ends designed 

to clear the domed crystal profile. The central sweep seconds hand sports the iconic 

red-tipped pointer and fishtail counterbalance to true military and expedition grade specification.

Case Architecture: Classic three-piece construction with a 33.5mm diameter

(excluding crown). Features a separate 9-carat gold-plated stepped bezel ring, a gold plated mid-case 

with rugged drilled through-hole lugs (tool-watch specification for easystrap changes).

Snap-on original stainless steel rear cover for directmovement access and viewing. 

Original crown with gold plating retained.

Exterior: The main case is in honest, unpolished vintage condition. The lug edges

remain sharp and original. There is no significant brassing or plating wear, 

showing only age-related hairline surface scratches and minor service entry marks along

the bezel seam.

Cosmetic Updates: Professionally refreshed with a brand-new acrylic crystal and a

brand-new black leather strap with a matching gold buckle. 

It is ready to wear ordisplay immediately.

Mechanical: Mechanically, the watch is in excellent health. Although there are no service records available

the watch achieved an outstanding 34-hour power reserve and kept near-chronometer 

vintage accuracy, running just 28 seconds fast over 24 hours. This is within the original factory

parameters when new (+/- 15 to 30 seconds per day).

Service Notes: The watch is sold without recent documented service history and is

completely honest and unmolested. While running beautifully now, it will naturally benefit from a standard 

clean and oil service down the line if you intend to use it as a daily timekeeper and maintain current accuracy.

Please review all photos carefully as these form part of the description and listing.

Please message me if you have any questions.

Buyers: For total peace of mind, this watch is listed to meet the threshold for eBays Optional Authenticity Guaranteed program for third party watchmakers inspection prior to dispatch to you.

Genuine and sensible offers will be considered but the authentication can be chosen if required for full verification.

Delivery: The watch will be packed with extreme care in a secure crush-proof box and

shipped via Royal Mail Special Delivery (fully insured and tracked next-day delivery).