The History of the “Dirty Dozen”: Collecting WWII British Military Watches
The History of the “Dirty Dozen”: Collecting WWII British Military Watches Walking past the war memorial down by Old Steine on a crisp Sussex morning, it’s hard not to think about the tangible pieces of history that survived the Second World War. For horology enthusiasts, nothing represents the raw, functional aesthetic of that era quite like the "Dirty Dozen." If you are looking to add serious, combat-tested heritage to your collection, our guide to collecting WWII British military watches will break down exactly what makes these timepieces so legendary. These aren't delicate dress watches meant for boardrooms. They were heavily standardized, rugged tools built to survive the trenches, the sea, and the air. Today, assembling a complete set of all twelve manufacturers is considered one of the holy grails of vintage collecting. What Are The Dirty Dozen Watches? During WWII, the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) needed highly reliable, legible watches for their arm...