A rare and coveted triumph of British watchmaking, this 1950s Smiths De Luxe represents the golden era of Made-in-England horology. Produced at the famous Cheltenham factory—where Smiths manufactured the robust timepieces chosen for Sir Edmund Hillary's historic 1953 Everest expedition—this watch pairs striking aesthetics with true tool-watch heritage. The jet-black dial features gilt baton hour markers, a double index at 12 o'clock, delicate gold dot accents, and matching gold hands anchored by a sweeping center seconds hand featuring a distinct red arrow tip. Inside beats the high-grade, in-house English Caliber 27.CS (Center Seconds)—a 17-jewel, gilt-finished manual-wind movement stamped "Made in England". Housed in a classic round case with a stainless steel screw-down back, this standout piece combines military-grade engineering with pure mid-century elegance. Technical Specifications * Brand: Smiths De Luxe (Made in England) * Era: Circa 1950s * Movement: In-house British manual-wind movement, Caliber 27.CS (17 Jewels, Gilt Finish) * Dial: Deep black dial with printed gilt logo/crown, gold baton indices, and red-arrow center seconds hand * Case Material: Gold-plated bezel with Stainless Steel screw-back case * Crystal: Curved acrylic crystal * Strap: Premium black leather strap * Condition: Excellent vintage condition. The movement is running accurately, winding smoothly, and holding strong power reserve. Collector's Highlight: Vintage English-made Smiths timepieces—especially De Luxe models equipped with the celebrated 27.CS caliber—are intensely sought after by collectors following the brand's association with Everest and the British Ministry of Supply. Rare black dial variants with the iconic red-arrow seconds hand are among the most desirable configurations on the market today. Insured and tracked express shipping worldwide. Handled and packaged with care.