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 5000 Eterna W.W.W's were delivered to the British Military in 1945, making these the joint second rarest Dirty Dozen with IWC.
You can read the history of the Dirty Dozen in one of our Blogs: here
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The Specs
Age: c.1945.
Reference: W.W.W
Movement: Manual wind with Sub Seconds.
Calibre: 520.
Timekeeping: Good.
Service History: Fully Professionally Checked by John Senior.
Dial: Original Eterna Military Dial.
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.
Crystal: Correct Acrylic crystal.
Crown: Correct Original unsigned Crown.
Strap/Bracelet: On a new Green Military Style Strap with Steel Fixtures.
Lug Width: 18mm.
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- Dial is probably the best example I have seen.
- All Original and Correct.
-1 of 5000 Issued.
- 36mm Case.
- 36mm Case.
-Military markings to the back.
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Nitty Gritty:
-Case has been lightly Polished.
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Overall the Eterna is in very nice Vintage condition.
The Dial has aged beautifully, it is an excellent example.
Case is in good shape with some evidence of previous light polishing.
Caseback markings are nice.
Original Crown.
Original Crystal.
Hands are in good shape, with some age related patina.
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Photographed on a 7in Wrist.