Smiths W10: The Last Great British Military Watch (Before We Gave Up and Bought Quartz)

💡 Introduction: A Stiff Upper Lip on Your Wrist
There’s something gloriously British about the Smiths W10. It doesn’t shout. It doesn’t sparkle. It doesn’t rotate (bezels are far too showy). What it does have is the honour of being the last mechanical watch fully manufactured in the UK for the Ministry of Defence.

It’s the horological equivalent of a Land Rover Defender — boxy, stubborn, utilitarian, and somehow perfect. Before the Quartz Crisis steamrolled Europe with LCD efficiency, there was the W10: simple, tough, and proud.

⚙️ The Engineering: Built Like a Centurion Tank
Issued from 1967 to 1970, the W10 wasn’t designed for style. It was designed to work in the rain, in the mud, and under the supervision of someone shouting orders.

The Movement
Inside beats the Smiths Calibre 60466E:

• Manual-wind

• Hacking seconds

• 17 jewels

• 18,000 bph

Winding it each morning is a ritual — a moment of mechanical mindfulness before the day begins.

The Case
The monocoque (one-piece) case means there’s no caseback. Servicing requires going in through the front, crystal removed.
Annoying for watchmakers, great for durability.

Anti-Magnetic Shield
A soft-iron inner cover protects the movement from magnetism — ideal for 1960s equipment and modern electronics alike.

🎨 The Design: Military Minimalism Done Right
The W10’s dial is clean, sharp, and built with purpose. No clutter — just legibility.

The Broad Arrow
The classic Broad Arrow sits proudly on the dial, marking it as government property. A tiny symbol with lots of charm.

Tritium Lume
The circled “T” indicates tritium lume, now long expired but beautifully patinated into warm orange tones collectors adore.

🎖 Who Wears the W10 Today?

• People who trust gears over circuits

• Vintage Mini drivers

• History and military enthusiasts

• Collectors wanting an all-British watch that still feels cool today

⚖️ The Good, The Bad, and The British

Pros

• Fully British-made (case, dial, movement)

• Wearable size with great proportions

• Very satisfying manual wind

Cons

• Acrylic crystal scratches easily

• Front-loading case can frustrate watchmakers

• Prices have risen sharply in recent years

📈 Market Value & Collecting Tips

Typical price range:

• Good examples: £700–£1,000

• Excellent / boxed: £1,200–£1,600+

• NOS: “Please sit down first…”

Things to check before buying:

• Original dial and hands

• Case edges (avoid heavily polished examples)

• Working hacking function

• Overall movement condition

🇬🇧 Final Thoughts: Rule Britannia (And Wind Daily)
The Smiths W10 represents the final chapter of British military watchmaking before quartz took over. It’s rugged, charming, historically important — and still incredibly wearable today.

If you find one, salute it… then buy it quickly.

🔧 From RedRoosterUK
If you're restoring a Smiths W10 or any other vintage piece, RedRoosterUK stocks tools, crystals, lubricants, and watchmaker essentials to keep history ticking.