Smiths a404 Deluxe from their Everest range of watches, excellent example of the watch that in 1953 smiths said was used on the everest expedition, in their adverts. This one is so much better than the average example, with some slight signs of wear to the chrome plated top, but in very wearable condition. The strap has since been changed from these pictures.
Case is 33mm excluding the winding crown. Dial and hands are all original as on all my smiths watches. Usual smiths deluxe grade refined movement surrounded by a shock-proofing spring also features a shock proof movement. This extremely unusual version has been converted under the dial from a non shock version to a shockproof one, something I have never seen before, and overall the movement is in stunning condition. This is probably a later example from the mid to late fifties but hard to date these as they were produced up until about 60, though the later ones like this example were kif shockproofed.
Escapement is polished. C series movement, marked with the caliber 0451 under the dial, concealed winding wheels, straight one piece click and click spring combined, beryllium anti-magnetic balance hairspring which is flat, and the balance has screws.
Fully overhauled with excellent timekeeping. Watches of this period are not guaranteed waterproof. Fitted with a new crystal, case seal and suitable winding crown as the old one was very worn. Currently on a vintage leather strap not as shown.
This piece is dated to 1958. The same shockproof model that went on the Antarctic Expedition.
