Smiths for Garrard aquatite (1959)

This is an English made Smiths watch in a heavy Dennison Aquatite waterproof gold case. The case is hallmarked for 1959 and the watch was presented by Ford as a long service award to one of their employees. Ford regularly used this model for long-service presentation and they would have been very expensive to purchase when new.

The original dial is in excellent condition, it has applied 9-carat numerals and markers and a lovely two-tone effect between the centre of the dial and the outer edge (which is rather difficult to capture on a photograph).

The movement is the best quality, 18 jewel offering from Smiths - it has several enhancements over the standard movement: cap jewels on the balance wheel, a Breguet overcoil hairspring and an additional jewel to the centre wheel. All of these improvements are designed to improve the timekeeping performance of the movement and I certainly think they’re comparable with the very best Swiss-made watches from the same period. The movement has been fully serviced and is keeping excellent time.  

The case is made by Dennison and is their Aquatite model. Dennison was the largest UK watch case manufacturer and supplied cases to a wide range of companies besides Smiths, including such luminaries as Rolex and Omega. The Aquatite was their waterproof model and it has a screw closure case back. The case is in very good condition, it has been ultrasonically cleaned but not polished (as with all our vintage watches).  Please be aware that this watch case is no longer completely waterproof - the seals and the age of the watch preclude totally sealing it.

The watch retains the original box and paperwork, a sure sign that it was cherished and kept for best wear only. I’ve fitted a new, best quality Hirsch strap. All in all a lovely watch that’s ready to wear and enjoy.

Case diameter (excluding winding crown): 33mm
Case material: 9-carat gold, hallmarked Birmingham 1959
strap width: 18mm
timekeeping: grade A