Founded in Tramelan, Switzerland, in 1903, Record Watch Company quickly gained recognition for producing reliable, high-quality timepieces. Their reputation for precision earned them a place among the twelve manufacturers commissioned by the British Ministry of Defence during World War II to create the iconic “Dirty Dozen” watches. Records’ contribution balanced durability with accuracy, ensuring soldiers could rely on them in the harshest conditions. Today, surviving examples are highly prized by collectors of military horology.

What's on offer

We are delighted to present this fascinating and rare Record Dirty Dozen, made even more special by its replacement NATO dial with Tritium lume and no Record Branding.

Originally issued in 1944/45 as part of the famous “WWW” Dirty Dozen contract, the caseback still proudly bears its WWW and broad arrow engravings. At some point during its service life, the dial was updated by the Ministry of Defence to the later “W10/445-9830” NATO dial that you now see, aligning it with post-war British Army specifications.

The result is a truly unique hybrid of two key chapters in British military watch history — a genuine Dirty Dozen with a W10 dial, making it an incredibly desirable and unusual collector’s piece. The dial itself is in excellent condition, with beautifully aged pumpkin Tritium lume on the hands and hour plots, offering warmth and character without the risks associated with radium. The bold Arabic numerals and crisp sub-seconds register remain sharp and legible, adding to the overall appeal.

Encased in a superbly well-kept chrome-topped housing with its military engravings intact on the back, this watch is not only historically important but also aesthetically striking. Such a combination of original wartime issue and later MoD service upgrade is rarely seen, and it will undoubtedly pique the interest of any serious military watch collector.