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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Military wristwatch

Vertex Dirty Dozen WW2 Military Issued Soldiers Watch

Partially verified

This military wristwatch by Vertex represents one of the British Ministry of Defence 'Dirty Dozen' timepieces from World War II. It features a stark black dial with white Arabic numerals, an outer railroad track, luminous hour plots, and an auxiliary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock. The dial displays the Vertex brand signature above the British Broad Arrow marking, alongside a 'SWISS MADE' designation flanking the bottom register. Fitted with a manual-wind mechanical movement, the watch measures 35.5 mm in width and 47 mm from lug to lug, mounted on a green NATO-style strap.

Front view of the Vertex military wristwatch showing dial, case, and green woven strap
Front view of the Vertex military wristwatch showing dial, case, and green woven strap — Vintage Watch Specialist. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
vintagewatchspecialist.com
Category
Wristwatch · Military wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Vertex
Reference
WWW /|\ A 4742 3517658
Catalogue / lot identifier
vws3755
Source-reported date
c. 1944–1945
Country
Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Dial and Dial Characteristics

The watch features a black dial with Arabic numerals and an outer railroad track for minutes. A sub-seconds register is located at the 6 o'clock position.

The dial displays the Vertex brand name with the Broad Arrow insignia positioned beneath it. The text 'SWISS MADE' is present, split at the base of the dial around the sub-seconds register.

Evidence for this section
  • “Black dial with lumed Arabic numeral hour markers and outer railroad minutes track”
  • “Sub-seconds register located at the 6 o'clock position”
  • “Broad Arrow insignia printed beneath the Vertex brand name”
  • “SWISS MADE split text at base of dial around the subdial”

Case and Physical Specifications

The timepiece has a stated width of 35.5 mm and a lug height of 47 mm. It is equipped with a plexiglass crystal and mounted on a green NATO-style strap.

Observations of the case include visible surface wear, with the description noting 'chrome-topped' characteristics and brassing along the bezel and lugs. The specification table lists the case material as stainless steel.

Evidence for this section
  • “Width 35.5mm”
  • “Lug Height 47mm”
  • “Crystal Plexiglass”
  • “Case Stainless Steel”
  • “The chrome-topped case shows honest wear consistent with service use”
  • “Case showing visible surface wear and brassing along the bezel and lugs”

Provenance and Documentation

The watch is identified by the model reference 'WWW /|\ A 4742 3517658'.

The provided documentation contains conflicting dates for the issuance, citing 'c.1944' in the title and 'c.1945' in the specification table. Specific details regarding the movement calibre and jewel count are recorded as unknown.

Evidence for this section
  • “Model Ref WWW /|\ A 4742 3517658”
  • “Date of Issue c.1945”
  • “Calibre U/K”
  • “Jewels U/K”

Open research questions

  • Does the 'chrome-topped' description in the text contradict the 'Stainless Steel' classification in the specifications?
  • Can the discrepancy between the 1944 and 1945 date of issue be clarified via the provided serial number sequence?
  • What specific manual-wind movement is standard for Vertex 'Dirty Dozen' military watches?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Vertex Dirty Dozen WW2 Military Issued Soldiers Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Model ReferenceWWW /|\ A 4742 3517658“Model Ref WWW /|\ A 4742 3517658”
WindingManual“Winding Manual”
Case Width35.5mm“Width 35.5mm”
Lug Height47mm“Lug Height 47mm”
Lug Width18mm“Lug width 18mm”
CrystalPlexiglass“Crystal Plexiglass”

Visible details

  • Black dial with lumed Arabic numeral hour markers and outer railroad minutes track
  • Sub-seconds register located at the 6 o'clock position
  • Broad Arrow insignia printed beneath the Vertex brand name
  • Case showing visible surface wear and brassing along the bezel and lugs
  • SWISS MADE split text at base of dial around the subdial

Research qualifications

  • Source notes conflicting date of issue: c.1944 in title vs c.1945 in specification table
  • Calibre and jewel count are listed as unknown (U/K)
  • Movement and case back are not depicted in the provided view

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Vertex Dirty Dozen - WW2 Military Issued Soldiers Watch - c.1944 – Vintage Watch Specialist

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 1d4e6bcbc9

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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