Vertex Dirty Dozen WW2 Military Issued Soldiers Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c. 1944–1945
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.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Military & trench watch
- Crystal
- Plexiglass
- Winding
- Manual
- Lug Width
- 18mm
- Case Width
- 35.5mm
- Lug Height
- 47mm
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Model Reference
- WWW /|\ A 4742 3517658
- Maker / attribution
- Vertex
Design
- Visible features
- • 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Identification
- Reference
- WWW /|\ A 4742 3517658
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Source notes conflicting date of issue: c.1944 in title vs c.1945 in specification table
- Research required: Calibre and jewel count are listed as unknown (U/K)
- Research required: Movement and case back are not depicted in the provided view