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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There were only 6,000 JLC's issued to troops during the Second World War, who knows how many survive.
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You can read the history of the Dirty Dozen in one of our Blogs: here
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Today's example is a very nice one. In the 1950s, the MoD was in the process of removing Radium from their Watches. This guy would have gone back to the MoD Watchmaker and had the Radium Dial and Hands replaced with a new Tritium Dial and Handset that complied with these new specifications. As above only 6000 JLC's were issued, only a small handful got the new MoD dials, making this a uncommon find.
The Specs
Age: c.1945.
Reference: W.W.W
Movement: Manual wind with Sub Seconds.
Calibre: 479.
Timekeeping: Very good.
Service History: Fully Serviced by John Senior, August 2025.
Dial: MoD Tritium Dial.
Case: Matte Chrome Plated with Steel Screw Caseback.
Measurements: without/with Crown: 35mm/37.8mm End to End: 46.3mm
Bezel: Solid.
Water Resistant?: No.
Hands: MoD Triitum.
Crystal: Correct, possibly original Crystal.
Crown: Correct Original unsigned Crown.
Strap/Bracelet: New 16mm Khaki NATO Style strap with Steel fixtures.
Lug Width: 17mm
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- Good Case Condition.
- 1 of only 6000 Issued
- Fully serviced Movement.
-Crisp Military markings to the back.
- Uncommon Tritium Dial and Hands.
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Nitty Gritty:
-Small marks and scratches to the case. Some minor Wear, throughout.
- Small patch of discolouration around the 8 & 10.
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Overall the JLC is in good condition.
The Dial has a nice patina.
Case is in good condition with minor wear.
Caseback markings are very nice.
Original Crown.
Correct, possibly original Crystal. It has small markings.
Original MoD Hands.
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Photographed on a 7in Wrist.