The  "Dirty Dozen" refers to a collection of twelve wristwatches that the British Ministry of Defence commissioned during World War II for use by the British military. Twelve different manufacturers produced these watches, hence the name "Dirty Dozen." These manufacturers included Buren, Cyma, Eterna, Grana, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Lemania, Longines, IWC (International Watch Company), Omega, Record, Timor, and Vertex.

The watches were designed to meet specific military specifications for durability, reliability under extreme conditions, and legibility. The history of these watches is fascinating not only because of their wartime role but also due to their rarity and collectibility among watch enthusiasts today. Each watch from the Dirty Dozen set exhibits unique characteristics despite sharing common specifications demanded by the military.

What's on Offer

The Record-branded watch among them is particularly sought after for its craftsmanship and historical value. Over time, the Dirty Dozen has become a symbol of robust design and historical significance within both military history and horology.

This piece is in fantastic condition and boasts the rich black dial we expect to see along the bold Arabic numerals, military pheon (an arrow that denotes the watch as the property of the MoD) and recessed sub-dial at 6 o'clock. The dial also retains its original radium lume which has aged to a beautiful caramel colour on the hour plots. The dial is encapsulated underneath shatterproof Plexiglas and encapsulated in stainless steel. The case and lugs are also in great shape - still sharp. To the case back you will note the original military engravings - L18450 - 536297. This watch is a very collectable piece, especially in such superb condition and would be an asset to any military collector's collection.