Smiths Watch Company, established in the 1940s in England, was a cornerstone of British watchmaking, producing high-quality, entirely in-house timepieces to meet the government’s push for self-sufficiency. Based in Cheltenham, Smiths crafted watches with the highest-grade movements, paying meticulous attention to the details of their dials and cases. Their watches, labeled with names like Smiths, Smiths De Luxe, Smiths Everest, Smiths National, Smiths Astral, and Smiths Imperial, reflected a commitment to precision and craftsmanship. Smiths gained international fame when their watch accompanied Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay to the summit of Mount Everest in 1953. Despite its prominence, the company could not withstand the quartz revolution of the 1970s and ceased production in the 1980s.
Today, Smiths watches are celebrated for their historical significance, British ingenuity, and enduring craftsmanship, with modern reinterpretations keeping the legacy alive.