Dating

Earliest Date for a “Smiths Clock”

The earliest date possible for one of the mass production clocks commonly referred to as a “Smiths” is 1931 when “Smiths English Clocks Ltd” was formed. This does not apply to items such as car clocks made by S Smith & Sons (Motor accessories) Ltd.

The name on the movement case or cover gives a useful date indication.

Smiths English Clocks

If the name is “Smiths English Clocks” it was made between 1931 and 1955

Smiths Clocks & Watches

If the name is “Smiths Clocks and Watches” it dates to 1955 or later.

Smiths Industries

From about 1966 the name “Smiths Industries” appears on some models.

smiths Industries Clock Co

In 1977 the clock division became “Smiths Industries Clock Company” so that a movement so marked is no earlier than 1977

Clues from the type of movement:

If it is a synchronous clock (ie mains powered) then:

smiths first movement # 1. The first movement, dating from 1931, had a large black bakelite housing of about 3.6 inches diameter.

See movements for more information

# 2. In around 1936 a “de luxe” movement was introduced in a rather similar housing.

# 3. Electric strike and chime clocks introduced circa 1935 used other types of synchronous motor as also did the Smiths mystery clock, and the Synfinity.

sec # 4. From 1937 the trademark “Sectric” appears on their synchronous models.Usually on the dial but sometimes also on the back cover. Early clocks had a prominent “T” in sectric.

smiths bijou # 5. The Bijou motor developed around 1938 was very successful and remained in general use until circa 1958.

There are several minor variations in case style and the handset knob can project either from the back or below the movement.

qat # 6. A motor called the QAT was developed in 1953 and used in some models.

# 7 The next motor was the QEMG introduced in 1957.

qgem # 8 That was followed in 1963 by the QGEM.