Smiths

Smiths is a historic British watch and instrument brand founded by Samuel Smith in 1851 as a jewellery shop in London. The company became a major supplier of precision watches to the Admiralty, and later the dominant supplier of instruments to the British motor and motorcycle industries. Smiths produced the 'De Luxe' wristwatch worn by Edmund Hillary on his successful ascent of Mount Everest in 1953. The company founded Anglo-Celtic Watch Co. Ltd with Ingersoll in 1946 to produce watches in Wales. After Smiths Group exited the watch business in the 1980s, the brand has continued through various licensees. Today, Smiths watches are produced by licensees continuing the brand's British heritage and military-inspired designs.