I just been shown my grandfather's presentation watch for 45 yrs service. It's a bit grubby,not running and missing the crown but it is engraved and has all the B+P.
It's not this one but it's identical.
So clearly it needs to be repaired and there is a suggestion of rust which isn't great but all the same.
So any suggestions as to who and where?
Another the same, even the same engraving bar the name!
https://www.smithswatches.com/collec...-gold-bracelet
Last edited by DavidL; 17th April 2022 at 21:41.
Thanks for the reply, I'll look into them. It seems from reading a bit that either Smiths or Smith and BR agreed to rather sneakily have de luxe presentation watches but with only Astral movements. So should a replacement movement be the best option it may be that I need to check carefully which one.
Love that linen dial. Merrens pricing is ambitious to say the least.
I posted this in response to a similar question, here: https://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.p...-Astral-Deluxe
If you are on the dreaded Facebook you could try asking in the Smiths watches made in England group.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/261717824304503
I've no direct experience but Alchi Rollino of Rollinix Smiths Watches (active on the FB group) has built up a bit of a reputation for good VFM and knowing what he's doing.
https://www.rollinixsmithswatches.com
There's also the Vintage Smiths subform on MWR with the usual knowledgable crowd.
https://www.mwrforum.net/forums/foru...Vintage-Smiths[/QUOTE]
Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH
I need to join the MWR forum and look at that. The others I did come across, probably on that same thread so I have a few to consider. I have a feel it will be more cost effective to simply change the mechanism and tidy the rest up but we shall see.
Originally Posted by DavidL
Yes the Smiths sub forum on mwr is the best online resource, as well as the others mentioned here.
If you replace the movement keep the original one, but you could probably pick up a cheap donor watch easily enough. (If you can try and get a 18 jewel version with an overcoiled hairspring; whatever you get try and a later one with shockproofing.)
I'm trying! Joined yesterday but still can't actually access the forum. Pretty sure I haven't missed an email and nothing in spam. I've never had a confirmation email take this long..
Just as an update to this, I sent my Grandfather's watch to Andy at Rollinix. It was serviced, the click spring, stem and crown replaced and returned to me RMSD for a very reasonable fee.
It was worn today as an actual timepiece that is useful to tell the time for the first time for about 55 years and I'm very pleased. It's tiny in comparison with even a 34mm watch yet as part of a smart outfit it looks just fine.
So thanks Andy, it should last another generation or two with sensible care.
^^^ Must be very satisfying to get a watch back into service like that, especially with the sentimental personal connection.
I need to find a strap for my grandfather's Smiths long service presentation watch. He actually worked at Smiths in Cricklewood!
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