The Longines "Dirty Dozen" watch is a piece of military history wrapped around the wrist. Created during World War II, this timepiece is part of a collection famously known as the "Dirty Dozen". These watches were commissioned by the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) and were issued to soldiers across the branches of the British Armed Forces. The term "Dirty Dozen" refers to watches produced by twelve different manufacturers, including Longines, that met strict specifications set by the MoD for durability, reliability, and readability under combat conditions.
    
Longines' contribution to this legendary dozen stands out for its precision and craftsmanship. Featuring a robust stainless steel case, a highly legible dial with luminous hands and markers for operations in low light conditions, and a durable movement designed to withstand the rigors of wartime use, it was an essential tool on the battlefield. Collectors and military enthusiasts treasure these watches not only for their historical significance but also for their quality and resilience.
    
The Longines "Dirty Dozen" watch represents a remarkable chapter in both military history and horological excellence.

What's on Offer

This watch is in exceptional condition, especially given its age of 80 years - it's incredibly well-preserved and we are delighted to offer it for sale in such wonderful shape. The dial is still rich black and boasts all of the hallmarks we would expect to see on a DD watch - bold Arabic numerals, recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o'clock and the military pheon - the arrow on the dial that denotes the watch as property of the MoD. This watch also still boasts its original lume which is present on the hour plots and in the original cathedral hands. It has aged to a rather nice tobacco colour and is even across the dial. The case and lugs are still sharp and the case back displays the original military markings we would expect to see, including the military pheon again. This is a very wearable watch, it is running well and keeping good time, but it is also a very credible asset to any collection and should be treasured and passed down to the next generation of military watch enthusiasts. These watches are becoming increasingly rare so now is the time to invest.