Record Watch Company Dirty Dozen

Record Dirty Dozen Military WW2 Soldiers Watch - MoD Dial - Non Radium - c.1945

A Very Collectible Record Dirty Dozen Military Issued Soldier's Watch with a Non-Radium MoD Dial, c.1945 Case Chrome Topped Condition 7.5/10 Year 1945 Box/Papers No/No Known as the “Dirty Dozen” these famous watches were the first purpose-built military watches ever made. Delivered between 1944 & 1945, the “Dozen” comprised of 12 manufacturers who produced around 150,000 watches for the war effort. Also known as WWW watches which stands simply for “Watch Wrist Waterproof”, these watches were built for action and to stand the vigour of war and the “Dozen” certainly did the job. The 12 companies comprised of Buren, Cyma, Eterna, Grana, JLC, Lemania, Longines, IWC, Omega, Record, Timor and Vertex with rumours there were in fact 13 and the 13 th company being Enicar but due to apparently Enicar was also supplying the enemy, they were briskly dropped from the contract. No examples have yet appeared from Enicar. Of the circa 150,000 pieces made, around 25,000 were made by Record which makes them joint top with Omega for the largest quantity made. Featuring sword hands, a 36.5mm chrome-topped case and 022K calibre beating inside, the Record represents a classic military appearance which has been copied ever since. The sub seconds dial ensures maximum legibility when on the battlefield and the iconic broad arrow marks the property of the crown. These watches were meant to have been returned at the end of service but like many pieces of equipment used during the war, many soldiers chose to take some pieces home as a memento of a historic event that they were a part of. Case Chrome Topped Dial Black Box No Papers No Model Ref Unknown Crystal Plexiglass Bracelet NATO Style Winding Manual Movement Type Mechanical Calibre 022K Jewels 15 Power reserve 42 Hours Condition Great Date of issue 1945 Warranty 12 Months VWS Width (without crown) 36mm Lug width 18mm Lug height (lug to lug) Wrist size Adjustable