Vintage Watches: Smiths Deluxe - made in England & as worn on Mount Everest

I recently bought an old Smiths Deluxe. Approximately as old as I am, it too has the scars of age, but, like its new owner, still ticks away strongly. These watches have a fascinating history.

My Smiths Deluxe A404 from around 1955

Edmund Hillary wore a Smiths Deluxe watch when he climbed Everest in 1953. Later claims that he wore a Rolex originated from the fact that Rolex also sponsored the expedition, Hillary owned a Rolex and (and far as I can ascertain) a Rolex was worn by Tenzing Norgay, who stepped onto the summit before Hillary, so validating the claim that Rolex was first to the top.

Hillary's Smiths watch seems to have been a prototype model A409 which, as far as I know, wasn't put into production in exactly the same form. The advertisement below shows the models (including my A404) which were nearest to Hillary's watch in terms of construction and 15-jewel movement.

Image courtesy of Ollie Harrison

These watches were made near Cheltenham in England where all the parts were manufactured: there's nothing Swiss about this timepiece. Stylish and well-proportioned watches like this can be found for £150 to £300, depending on condition. I think that's good value for an example of British horological history.

They are, of course, vintage watches, so will show signs of their age and will need looking after. Prices are beginning to climb as people realise Smiths' part in British manufacturing history, but they will hold their value.

Hillary's original watch (bottom right), expedition watches invoice & later Smiths 'Everest' advertisement

The movement and all parts were made in England. Image courtesy of Ollie Harrison

The information in this post is a distillation of much conflicting evidence which I found online. Please check it before relying on it or repeating it; and if anything is inaccurate, let me know.

Everest - inspiration from vintage images

These images are from a poorly-printed book of photos of the 1952 Everest expedition. The colour is poor quality, but attractive. The mix of faded tones, bright blues, string vests (remember those?) and army surplus clothing convey a powerful period feel. Spot the climber wearing two wristwatches.

What's this got to do with style and fashion? Everything.

Famous explorer in his Christmas jumper

This image is from the days when men were men and jumpers were jumpers. If Edmund Hillary could carry it off, so can you.

If only modern explorers could rediscover such a sense of personal style, but the demands of corporate sponsorship prefer identical logo-strewn fleeces to home-knitted individuality.

I seem to be stuck on chunky knitwear this month. Look out for the Grey Fox Christmas jumper guide next week.