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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There were only 6,000 JLC's issued to troops during the Second World War, who knows how many survive.
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This Particular JLC boasts the best Case Condition I have ever seen on one of these chrome topped pieces, they are extremely prone to wear.
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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: 479.
Timekeeping: Very good.
Service History: Fully Serviced by John Senior, September 2023.
Dial: Original Jaeger LeCoultre Military Dial.
Dial: Original Jaeger LeCoultre Military Dial.
Case: Chrome Plated with Steel Screw Caseback.
Measurements: without/with Crown: 35mm/37.8mm End to End: 46.3mm
Bezel: Solid.
Water Resistant?: No.
Hands: Original.
Crystal: Correct Crystal.
Crystal: Correct Crystal.
Crown: Correct Original unsigned Crown.
Strap/Bracelet: New 18mm Khaki NATO Style strap with Steel fixtures.
Lug Width: 17mm
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- Original Dial and Hand Lume, administered by the MoD.
- Hard to find and to find one in such good, particularly the Chrome Case.
- Fully serviced Movement.
-Crisp Military markings to the back.
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Nitty Gritty:
-Small marks and scratches to the case. Some minor Wear.
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Overall the JLC is in wonderful condition.
The Dial is in lovely condition with one small mark by the Arrow, the Mint lume is particularly pleasing as it is the original Lume put on by the MoD.
Case is in very nice nick, with light wear throughout, hard to find this good.
Caseback markings are very nice.
Original Crown.
Correct Crystal.
Hands are in lovely shape.
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Photographed on a 7in Wrist.