A Superb and Very Collectable, Military Issued, Timor WWW Dirty Dozen,  c.1945. With Original and Beautifully Aged Lume. 

During the Second World War, the British War Office required a timepiece that could meet the extreme demands of the modern combat they faced.

Perhaps in a bid to increase production, rather than showing allegiance to one particular brand, they invited any Swiss manufacturer who could build a watch to their specific requirements, to tender. In the end, there were 12 manufacturers that produced the W.W.W. (Wrist, Watch, Waterproof) watches for the British Army. The manufacturers were Record, Buren, Cyma, Eterna, Lemania, Grana, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Longines, IWC, Omega, Vertex, and Timor. Over the ensuing decades, the 12 watches became collectively known as the ‘Dirty Dozen' earning this nickname from the 1964 war film.

A lot of these watches were destroyed in the 1970s due to the presence of radioactive Radium-226, in the luminescent material, hence the number of surviving watches dwindled. This, teamed with the obvious historical significance of the watches, has made them increasingly more collectable.

Timor and Omega it would seem, from our research, were among the first of the ‘Dozen’ manufacturers to make their watches available to the MoD c.1944, followed by the other brands, and this is believed to have continued well into the 1950s.

What’s On Offer 

This particular Timor example from the Dirty Dozen family of WW2 watches has survived remarkably well over the years boasting a dial that has aged beautifully. These watches often get better with time as the luminous material on the hour plots and hands changes with time giving each watch a unique appeal.

This particular watch boasts the bold Arabic numerals which are synonymous with the Dirty Dozen family, as are the outer minute track and the recessed minute counter at 6 o'clock. The hour indexes and pencil hands still show off their original lume, and although there is some deterioration to the hour indices, the hands look stunning with beautiful caramel lume.

The dial is completed with the MoD Pheon (arrow) marking it as the property of the crown, and the Timor signature. The case is sharp and bears the military engravings we expect on the caseback which read: WWW K9489 - 39389

This is a superb example which is still very much wearable and running well. A joy to both military and vintage enthusiasts alike and a very admirable addition to any collection. 

Additional information

Made from

Case: Stainless Steel

Dial: Black

Crystal: Plexiglas

Bracelet: NATO-style adjustable

Technical specifications

Winding: Manual 

Movement Type: Mechanical

Calibre: 6060

Jewels: 15j

Waterproof: n/a

Power reserve: 42hrs

Purchase details

Condition: Excellent

Model Reference: W.W.W.

Date of issue: c.1945

Guarantee: 12 Months by VWS

Dimensions

Width (without crown):  36.5mm

Lug width: 18mm

Lug height: (lug to lug) 45mm

Wrist size:  Adjustable