The Watch
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 around 11,000 Buren WWW watches were made for the British Army during WW2. As such, good original examples of these watches are highly sought after by collectors and can often be difficult to find.
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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: 462.
Timekeeping: Good.
Service History: Fully Professionally Inspected by John Senior.
Dial: Original Buren Military Dial.
Dial: Original Buren Military Dial.
Case: Chrome Topped with a Stainless Steel Screw Caseback.
Measurements: 36mm.
Bezel: Solid.
Water Resistant?: No.
Hands: Original.
Crystal: Original Crystal.
Crystal: Original 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:
- Such a lovely looking example.
- Case is in good condition for the Nature of these.
-Crisp Military markings to the back.
-Pumpkin Lume.
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Nitty Gritty:
-As mentioned above, the nature of these Cases being Chrome Topped, mean they are extremely susceptible to wear and plate loss. This is a good example.
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Overall the Buren is in Very Nice Vintage condition.
The Dial is in very nice condition. Pumpkin Lume.
Case is in nice nick, with some markings and plate loss throughout.
Caseback markings are very nice.
Original Crown.
Rare Original Crystal.
Hands are in lovely shape.
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Photographed on a 7in Wrist.