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 10,000 Lemania's were issued to the Army in 1945, who knows how many survive. This Particular example has matching case and caseback numbers, this is very hard to find with Lemania's.
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: 27A.
Timekeeping: Very good.
Service History: Full Service by John Senior December 2024.
Dial: Original Lemania Military Dial.
Dial: Original Lemania Military Dial.
Case: Chrome Plated Case Top with Stainless Steel Screw Caseback.
Measurements: without/with Crown: 36mm/39.3mm End to End: 46.75mm
Bezel: Solid.
Water Resistant?: No.
Hands: Original.
Crystal: Original Crystal.
Crystal: Original Crystal.
Crown: Correct Original unsigned Crown.
Strap/Bracelet: New 18mm Khaki Military Style strap with Steel fixtures.
Lug Width: 18mm
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- In Nice condition for age and nature.
- Fully serviced Movement.
- Rare Matching Case Numbers.
-Crisp Military markings to the back.
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Nitty Gritty:
-Some markings and plate loss throughout the case, these chrome cases were very susceptible to Wear and this example is actually a good one.
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Overall the Lemania is in very nice vintage condition.
The Dial is in nice condition.
Case is in good nick, with some markings and chrome 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.