The Watch
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W.W.W referred to as Wrist Watch Waterproof.
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In WW2, under increasing pressure from the Germans, the MoD needed to kit out their Troops with a Wristwatch that would stand the harsh realities of War.
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In WW2, under increasing pressure from the Germans, the MoD needed to kit out their Troops with a Wristwatch that would stand the harsh realities of War.
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The MoD put out specifications for this Wristwatch, that many Swiss Companies answered, the MoD whittled this down to 12 Companies hence the term "Dirty Dozen". These needed to be accurate, reliable and durable, which in watchmaking terms meant they had to be regulated to chronometer standards, and also be waterproof and shockproof.
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The watches also had to have a black dial, Arabic numerals, luminous hour and minute hands, luminous hour markers, a railroad minute track, a shatterproof crystal, and a stainless-steel case. Powering them would be 15-jewel movements, measuring between 11.75 and 13 lignes.
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The 12 companies chosen were: Buren, Cyma, Eterna, Grana, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Lemania, Longines, IWC, Omega, Record, Timor, and Vertex.
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Only 10,000 Lemania's were issued to the Army in 1945, who knows how many survive.
You can read the history of the Dirty Dozen in one of our Blogs: here
Age: c.1945.
Reference: W.W.W
Movement: Manual wind with Sub Seconds.
Calibre: 27A.
Timekeeping: Very good.
Service History: Full Service by John Senior April 2024.
Dial: Original Lemania Military Dial.
Dial: Original Lemania Military Dial.
Case: Chrome Plated Case Top with Stainless Steel Screw Caseback.
Measurements: without/with Crown: 36mm/39.3mm End to End: 46.75mm
Bezel: Solid.
Water Resistant?: No.
Hands: Original.
Crystal: Original Crystal.
Crystal: Original Crystal.
Crown: Correct Original unsigned Crown.
Strap/Bracelet: New 18mm Khaki NATO Style strap with Steel fixtures.
Lug Width: 18mm
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- In Nice condition for age and nature.
- Fully serviced Movement.
-Crisp Military markings to the back.
-Original Mint Green Lume.
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Nitty Gritty:
-Some markings and plate loss throughout the case, these chrome cases were very susceptible to Wear and this example is actually a good one.
-Small mark on dial by the 4 hour marker. Only seen in certain lights, please see the Wrist Shot for the best shot of this.
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Overall the Lemania is in Good Vintage condition.
The Dial is in nice condition. Small mark by 4, Original Mint Green Lume.
Case is in good nick, with some markings and chrome loss throughout.
Caseback markings are very nice.
Original Crown.
Rare Original Crystal.
Hands are in lovely shape. The Minute hand has darkened with age.
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Photographed on a 7in Wrist.