S. Smith & Son, London

• frosted gilt three-quarter plate movement, bi-metallic compensation balance, with Nicole Nielsen type 1 carriage, the tourbillon carriage revolving once a minute with ratchet-tooth lever escapement, ruby endstone • plain polished 18k gold cuvette, off-white enamel dial possibly by Willis, Roman numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary dials for state of wind below 12 o'clock and seconds at six • 18k gold case, well defined mouldings to bezel and back, plain polished hinged back with London hallmarks for 1901, 18k gold thief proof swivel pendant and bow with London hallmarks, olivetted set-hands push piece • movement signed S. Smith & Son, 9 Strand, London, Makers to the Admiralty and the Indian Government, case and cuvette with maker's mark SS for Samuel Smith, movement, case and cuvette numbered

Plaut Collection

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, p. 432, pl. 279

S.Smith & Son were prominent Twentieth Century London jewellers, silvermiths, watch and clockmakers. They are especially known for their very fine Tourbillon watches. The Smith tourbillons were supplied by Nicole, Nielson & Co.  A similar Smith tourbillon is illustrated in Reinhard Meis, Das Tourbillon, pp. 208-209, also see p. 47, fig.Z 62 for a diagram of the Nicole Nielson Type 1 tourbillon carriage and movement on p.57, fig.Z 87. According to Meis, Smith sold approximately twenty-five tourbillons, A list of Smith tourbillons can be found op.cit, pp. 354-355