Jump to content

Smith - From Cheltenham To Essex

WillFly
 Share

Recommended Posts

WillFly Distinguished Member

WillFly

Posted
Posted

Some time ago, I read an interesting post on Robert Loomes "Made In England" watches. I was idly looking at a Loomes catalogue on the net recently, aware that his movements are basically NOS Smiths movements. His watches cost between £7,000 and £16,000 depending on this and that - mainly whether they're rose-gold or not - whereas a Smiths watch today can cost a fraction of that. Just for fun, I took a screenshot of the movement from his "Robin" range and popped it next to a photo of my grandad's BR presentation watch ("De Luxe" movement) from 1965. So - Smith's owners everywhere - should we get out our engraving tools and get scribing... smile.png

 

Smith-Loomes.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites
WillFly Distinguished Member

WillFly

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Spooky! I was just looking at that Robert Loomes movement yesterday, there is very little difference between yours and it.

 

Apart from the engraving and the touching up of the different parts - no difference whatsoever. That's because Loomes discovered a hoard of NOS Smiths movements in Holland or somewhere like that, bought them to England and proceeded to found his "Made In England" business on the back of tarting them up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
WillFly Distinguished Member

WillFly

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

It's interesting, isn't it? Note how the original movement engraving - number of jewels, Made in England, serial number - has all been polished away to be replaced by Loomes's own signature and his version of "Made In England". The movement has also been decreased in diameter - take a look at the space between the bridge screws and the edge. I wonder if he's increased the number of jewels as part of the mod - doubt it - and it looks as though the balance wheel is the plain, unweighted version as well.

Edited by WillFly
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Geo Distinguished Member

Geo

Posted
Posted

it looks as though the balance wheel is the plain, unweighted version as well.[/size]

I think the balance does have screws. The movement appears to be running and the screws are a blur just outside the diameter of the wheel.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
WillFly Distinguished Member

WillFly

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Yes - as you say - a blurred balance. In any case, in spite of my slight cynicism, I can't see them using a plain old "Empire"-type movement in a watch of this price!

 

Incidentally, did I read somewhere that one of the Jaeger-Le-Coultre watchmakers - someone called Lenoir -  acted as a consultant or director of Smiths when they were refining their movements upwards? The double screws on the balance cock remind me of a J L-C.

Edited by WillFly
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Mark Distinguished Member

Mark

Posted
Posted

I worked on these for Robert in Stamford for a while.

It was mind numbing, but all the folks at Robert Loomes are fantastic. In particular, Craig is an exceptional watchmaker and I can say that a huge amount of man hours went into the build of the Robin. I know Don knows what I am talking about.

:)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites
WillFly Distinguished Member

WillFly

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Should it not have been the Loomes Lovick then!

I like that - rolls off the tongue.

 

"Ooh - nice watch - what is it?"

"Oh, it's a Loomes-Lovick."

"Very sweet!"

Edited by WillFly
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • nevenbekriev
      First Project Already A Bit "Sideways"

      By nevenbekriev · Posted

      Hi Dean, The solution with the alum for the broken screw is good and is generally used by watchmakers from many years, but You have to take off ALL steel parts from the plate. In some movements, the post for the minute wheel, for example, is made of steel. Deeping partly the plate works too, but some marks may left on the line where the solution doesn't cover the plate. Heating the solution is needed to accelerate the process. With the years, a rich collection of screws gathers and then finding the needed screw is not a problem. But till then it will be helpfull if You get some assorted screws lot. The other option is making screws. This is usually for the ones with specific form and sizes that doesn't meet often. But the skill of making screws is something that will never be unnecessary
    • Neverenoughwatches
      404 Club

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      Haha yes you do have to reel in your bidding enthusiasm Michael. I use a " not enough time policy " to restrict myself or else known as sniper bidding. Decide what you are most prepared to bid and place it 7 seconds before the end, cross your fingers ,job done . The price paid here i would say was top  figure another day could have been $40
    • RichardHarris123
      Baum & Mercier

      By RichardHarris123 · Posted

      The question is did Baum and Mercier use that movement.  I know they used other ebouches. I  can't find any evidence that they didn't but that doesn't mean they didn't. 
    • Levine98
      Chinese clone demagnetizers

      By Levine98 · Posted

      Well my VARIAC experiment worked sort of. By lowering the input voltage I was able to dramatically lower the magnetic field. However try as I might I was not able to demag either anvil. Even wrapped in bubble wrap to ensure it passed through the opening at equa-distance in the hole, the ends still come out highly magnetized. So time to throw in the towel and move on to purchasing the Chinese Elma-like unit from Amazon (I don’t do Ali express since I can’t return stuff if not satisfied like i can on Amazon).  
    • chrisdt
      Baum & Mercier

      By chrisdt · Posted

      Yes.. Looks like it is an AS984 Thanks everyone
×
×
  • Create New...