One of the earliest men’s Smith’s postwar wristwatches, this English watch has stood up well. Model reference 4RG
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
Looking through the acclaimed Barrie Smith book on Smiths watches we have found a couple of watches this could have been. The earlier 1947 advert is for the model 4RG, as featured here. Later adverts from 1948 and 1951 for RG0307 and RG0313 look identical but state they are made from stainless steel. The three piece case on this watch has a base metal centre section, common to watches produced at the end of the war and just beyond due to a shortage of materials. This therefore must be the earlier watch, and the serial number puts the watch at being made around 1949
CONDITION
Calibre 400 movement was Smiths in house 15 jewel manual wind (and fully jewelled) movement. This one is setting, winding and running well. The dial is original, unrestored and retains the original leaf hands too. The hands and dial both have radium lume, so we know they are original. The centre section of the three piece case is not stainless steel, and does show some marks. The leather strap is new, and a close match for what would have been fitted from new.
A quick search shows very few 4RG Smiths watches even referenced, never mind available to buy. With Smiths being such a widely used trade name internet research can be tricky, so here is a site to help you. smithswatches.com. We have no connection with the site, who do also sell vintage Smiths watches, but they do have useful information on the models.
This watch will be supplied with our branded presentation box and our Certificate of Authenticity.
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SIZE
Width with crown 32.9 mm
Width without crown 30.9 mm
Between lugs 16 mm
Lug to lug length 37.5 mm
Case Thickness 10.5 mm
All sizes are approximate.
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