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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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 5000 Eterna W.W.W's were delivered to the British Military in 1945, making these the joint second rarest Dirty Dozen with IWC.
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Just a quick personal note, We have been lucky enough to handle around 10/15 of these over the past 14 years we have been dealing in Vintage Watches. This is by far the best example I have ever seen in terms of the Dial, it is in superb condition.
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The Specs
Age: c.1945.
Reference: W.W.W
Movement: Manual wind with Sub Seconds.
Calibre: 520.
Timekeeping: Very Good.
Service History: Fully Serviced by John Senior.
Dial: Original Eterna Military Dial.
Case: All Stainless Steel with Screw Caseback.
Measurements: 36mm.
Bezel: Solid.
Water Resistant?: No.
Hands: Original.
Crystal: Correct Acrylic crystal.
Crown: Correct Original unsigned Crown.
Strap/Bracelet: On a new Khaki Military Style Strap with Steel Fixtures.
Lug Width: 18mm.
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- Fully Serviced Movement.
-1 of 5000 Issued.
-Early Issue Number
- 36mm Case.
- Superb Original Dial with Pumpkin Lume.
-Military markings to the back.
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Nitty Gritty:
- Age Related Minor Marks and Scratches to the Case.
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Overall the Eterna is in very nice Vintage condition.
The Dial is in Superb Condition, the best I have seen.
Case is in good shape.
Caseback markings are nice.
Original Crown.
Original Crystal.
Hands are in very good shape.
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Photographed on a 7in Wrist.