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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Military wristwatch

Vertex WWW Dirty Dozen Military Wristwatch

Partially verified

This British military wristwatch was produced by Vertex around 1944 under WWW military specifications. According to the seller, the timepiece is powered by a manual-wind Calibre 59 movement with 15 jewels and a 36-hour power reserve. The black dial features white Arabic numerals, an outer minute track, aged pale luminescent hour plots, and a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock. Marked 'SWISS MADE' at the base and displaying the British military broad arrow below the brand signature, the watch is fitted in a case measuring 35 mm in diameter by 47 mm lug-to-lug, worn on a black textile NATO strap.

Front view of the Vertex WWW Dirty Dozen wristwatch dial, hands, and case
Front view of the Vertex WWW Dirty Dozen wristwatch dial, hands, and case — 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 /|\ A1964 3514880
Catalogue / lot identifier
vws3725
Source-reported date
c. 1944
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

Identity and Military Specification

This timepiece is identified as a Vertex wristwatch, described as part of the 'Dirty Dozen' military watches produced for the British Ministry of Defence under 'WWW' specifications. The watch bears the reference 'WWW /|\ A1964 3514880'.

The source documentation provides conflicting information regarding the case material, listing 'Stainless Steel' in the specification table while identifying it as a 'chrome-topped case' in the descriptive text.

Evidence for this section
  • “Model Ref WWW /|\ A1964 3514880”
  • “Case Stainless Steel”
  • “Encased in a chrome-topped case”

Dial and Visual Features

The watch features a black dial with Arabic numerals, an outer minute track, and a recessed subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. The military Broad Arrow symbol is positioned at 12 o'clock below the brand name.

The dial is protected by a 'Plexiglass' crystal. The hands and hour plots are noted as having aged to a pale yellow tone. The watch is presented on a NATO-style strap.

Evidence for this section
  • “The dial remains a deep, rich black with crisp white Arabic numerals, a clear outer minute track, and the recessed sub-seconds dial at 6.”
  • “The military Broad Arrow sits proudly at 12, while the lume on the hands and hour plots has aged to a beautiful pale yellow.”
  • “Crystal Plexiglass”

Mechanical Details

The watch is listed with a manual-wind Calibre 59 movement with 15 jewels. The source claims a 36-hour power reserve. These details have not been verified via internal inspection of the movement.

Physical dimensions are recorded as 35 mm in width, 47 mm in lug height, and 18 mm in lug width.

Evidence for this section
  • “Calibre 59”
  • “Jewels 15j”
  • “Power Reserve 36 Hours”
  • “Lug Height 47mm Width 35mm Lug width 18mm”

Open research questions

  • Does the 'chrome-topped' description indicate a base metal case (common in some military watches) versus the stainless steel listed in the table?
  • Is there evidence to substantiate the claim of matching case and lug numbers for this specific reference?
  • What is the source provenance for the 36-hour power reserve claim?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Vertex WWW Dirty Dozen Military Wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Model ReferenceWWW /|\ A1964 3514880“Model Ref WWW /|\ A1964 3514880”
CalibreCalibre 59“Calibre 59”
Jewels15j“Jewels 15j”
DimensionsLug Height 47mm, Width 35mm, Lug width 18mm“Lug Height 47mm Width 35mm Lug width 18mm”
WindingManual“Winding Manual”
Date of Issue1944“Date of Issue 1944”

Visible details

  • Black dial with bold Arabic hour numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.
  • British military Broad Arrow marking printed below 'VERTEX' at 12 o'clock.
  • Luminous hour plots and hands with pale yellowish aged tone.
  • Fitted with an acrylic crystal and a black woven textile NATO-style strap.

Research qualifications

  • The source description states 'chrome-topped case' in text but lists 'Stainless Steel' in the specification table.
  • The movement and case back are not pictured; details such as calibre, jewel count, and matching serial/lug numbers are source-reported.

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

Consulted source

Vertex WWW Dirty Dozen - Original Condition - Matching Case and Lug Nu – Vintage Watch Specialist

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record f001eef105

Terms in this record

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

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