A Superb and Rare Omega 'Dirty Dozen' WWW2 Soldiers Watch with a Rare (non-radium) Nato Numbered Dial.

At the end of the Second World War, many members of the British armed forces were issued with a basic but carefully specified watch, commissioned from 12 Swiss manufacturers by the British Ministry of Defence. These were made to replace the issued, "ATP" watches, from earlier in the war, but have gone on to become far more collectable and sought after due to their higher quality form and function.

Each watch was commissioned and manufactured with similar specifications and, as military issues, was and still is, hard-wearing, highly legible, and water-resistant with stainless steel or nickel-plated cases, shatterproof crystal, and fixed lug bars. Watches were, as standard, capable of chronometer accuracy, and their movements were precision-adjusted to several different positions and temperatures. Each piece also had a large black dial with white Arabic characters, luminous hands, indices, and a ‘railroad’ minute track with sub-seconds at 6 o’clock. 

What’s On Offer 

This particular example has the much rarer NATO numbered dial without the Omega branding which means its original Radium dial was replaced at some point and re-issued but with a tritium NATO dial which is even rarer than a replacement MoD dial and ideal for those collectors that have concerns about the presence of radium but would like to own an original piece of military wartime horology. The Omega signature has been replaced by an MoD/NATO code which would have been unique to the Omega dials. The NATO dial makes for an extra special variant over the branded dial and creates an additional exclusivity within this already rare group of watches.

The Dial is in good condition with bold Arabic numerals, an outer minute track and sub seconds dial at 6 o'clock. The lume on the hour plots and on the original sword hands has remained intact and aged to a buttery colour. The stainless steel case and lugs are in fine shape and the caseback bears its original military markings which read: WWW Y 8960 10673159 and include the military pheon (arrow) which is also visible on the dial and denotes the watch as the property of the MoD. This watch is running well and is keeping good time, a superb opportunity to acquire a rare watch with much collectability. 

Additional information

Made from

Case: Stainless Steel

Dial: Black

Crystal: Plexiglas

Bracelet: NATO style

Technical specifications

Winding: Manual

Movement Type: Mechanical

Calibre: 30T2

Jewels: 15

Purchase details

Condition: Excellent

Model Reference: WWW

Date of issue: c.1944

Warranty: 12 Months VWS

Dimensions

Width (without crown): 35mm

Lug width: 18mm

Lug height: (lug to lug) 45mm

Wrist size: Adjustable