Now there's an idea, a Smiths COSD.............
Wow, I never knew.
Nice case, but the more common (less rare?) 2 colour Longines dial and hand set is a lot more compelling than those simple sticks.
As I understand it, it is a COSD case. I think the 'best guess' at the moment is that Dennison made the case, who obviously had a close link with SmithS. Revo will know more.
I think the Longines COSD dial and handset in the Dennison 13322 case is a fabulous looking watch, I actually prefer it to the COSD case as a watch in itself, obviously the COSD case adds a whole 'nother level of historical interest.
I rather like this
https://www.lorologiese.com/blog/longines-cosd-2340/
Eddie
Whole chunks of my life come under the heading "it seemed like a good idea at the time".
That's the one. Love the blued handset, especially the concave-diamond ended second hand. Although the one featured is missing all its lume.
Longines have done re-issues themselves, but made the pointless by putting a date on it and giving it no WR at all, so there is certainly room for a proper re-make.
The pic that I posted earlier from the Cotswold auction has a SmithS MkVll on the left (failed contract to supply the MOD with a centre seconds pilot watch, only 2 known examples) which is itself in a Dennison 13322 case. The case is particular and peculiar to the movement which has a 13''' dial plate and a 12''' rest of the movement so SmithS was working closely with Dennison in the early 1940's, they were after all only up the road. Dennison also supplied cases to the MOD for what is known as the 'Economy 6B's' around this period, often in 12363's and also supplied pocket and stopwatch cases to SmithS for military contracts, so the working relationship between the Ministry of Supplies and Dennison was well established.
The watch repairer Owen Gilchrist (Tudor on MWR) has a COSD case that was given to him by his friend Philip Priestley, who wrote a book on the history of the Dennison company and he in turn was given the case by a Dennison family member. As far as I know there is no documentary evidence found (as yet) that Dennison made the COSD case but the circumstantial evidence is pretty strong I think.
Eddie
Whole chunks of my life come under the heading "it seemed like a good idea at the time".
Now that's interesting, and brave considering the relevantly recent Longines re-issue, as Sinnlover says. I think one of the defining characteristics of the original watch is the hand set and it would be great to try and get as close to them as possible with the very distinctive seconds hand and the elongated point tips on the hour and minute hands. Perhaps lower the logo a tad towards the centre too. Will be watching this develop with interest.
I appreciate that I am probably alone in this but I think I prefer the recased version in the stainless steel Dennison 13322 case, aesthetically it's somehow proportionally better to my eye. Of course that would lose the focus of it's main distinctive point and reason for it's creation for the SOE in the first place, so is nonsense really.
Love it.
I would prefer to see blued hands, lume on all hands, longer points on the H and M, a diamond on the head of the seconds and less visible tube inside the crown (I suspect the linked lorologiese example has its crown undone).
Drilled lugs too please.
100m WR?
Otherwise, perfect.
That is debatable. Most of the examples I have seen on MWR, Pinterest, Classicwatch, Finest hour and elsewhere have a lot less tube showing.
The Lorogiese example is the exception, rather than the rule.
There are some examples that have a long concave chamfer to the inner side of the crown, that stands it away from the case, but most have a lot less.
Look here for reference photos in one place.
The modern Longines seems more like a reinterpretation than a reissue. It is 40mm, over 50mm lug end to end, is completely polished, has push-pull crown and date window, and costs $1,700. It is sort of comical really. Eddie’s design looks truer to the original reference that he shared above, and probably will be a third of the price.
Agreed, put me down for oneSent from my SM-G781U using TZ-UK mobile app
I believe that the crown in the link and in the render is the second iteration of the crown. Original was larger diameter.
I am trying to understand the proposed Smiths (COSD?) within the current range. At 36mm and with a white dial, it is directly competing with the Air Ministry, which I feel it to be a superior design AND with the white Navigator which is a better watch.
I think 36mm is too small for this type of watch.
Perhaps to consider at 37mm or 38mm with 19mm or 20mm lugs?
THIN is the new BLACK
Thickness isn't mentioned on the early drawing (it looks thinner?), which given the nickname of the original is a feature and gives it some of the character, it would make it of narrower appeal though I would have thought.
You have to be a bit careful as you are talking about two different crown variations. And as they don’t screw down I’m not sure what is meant by “undone” in the post that you quoted, probably means pulled out to the setting position ? If it was my choice I’d definitely go with the earlier crown as it just looks way better.
I know, but I’m going to say it anyway. It really needs an acrylic crystal.![]()
I don't get the lumed dial paired with skeletonised hands