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 15,000 Vertex Watches issued to troops during the Second World War, who knows how many survive. Even better for the collectors out there, this piece is all original with matching Case and Lug numbers, very difficult to find with Vertex.
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The Specs
Age: c.1945.
Reference: W.W.W
Movement: Manual wind with Sub Seconds.
Calibre: 59
Timekeeping: Very good.
Service History: Fully Serviced by John Senior August 2025.
Dial: Original MoD Spec Vertex Dial.
Case: Chrome Plated with Stainless Steel Caseback.
Measurements: without/with Crown: 35.8mm/39.1mm End to End: 47.1mm
Bezel: Solid.
Water Resistant?: No.
Hands: Original.
Crystal: Correct Acrylic crystal.
Crown: Original unsigned Crown.
Strap/Bracelet: New 18mm Khaki Military Style strap with satin steel fixtures.
Lug Width: 18mm
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
-Matching Case Numbers
-One of only 15,000 issued.
- Lovely Dial Condition, with Mint Lume.
- Hard to find in such original untouched good order. Especially the Chrome Case.
-Crisp Military markings to the back.
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Nitty Gritty:
-Some minor plate loss to the Case but very minor for the Nature of these.
-Crystal has some minor marks and scratches.
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Overall the Vertex is in excellent Vintage condition.
The Dial is in very nice condition.
Chrome Case is in very good nick, the Vertex case is amongst the most vulnerable for wear to the plate, however the wear on this case is very good.
Caseback markings are very nice.
Original Crown.
Crystal has some minor scratches.
Hands are in lovely shape.
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Photographed on a 7in Wrist.