An IWC WWII stainless steel British military-issued ‘Dirty Dozen’ mechanical watch head, 1940s,

Mk X, Issue No. M14356, Cal. 83 hand-wound 15-jewel movement, a matt black dial with white numerals and subsidiary seconds, arrow and WWW to the back, strap deficient

Case diameter 35mm

Provenance:

The John Mitchell Collection of Military Horology

Footnote:

This watch is one of the ‘Dirty Dozen’ watches commissioned by the British Ministry of Defence during World War II. Twelve companies, including IWC, Vertex and JLC, fulfilled the brief for these custom-built wristwatches, the first non-civilian watches worn by British soldiers. The W.W.W. engraving, standing for 'Watch, Wrist, Waterproof', on the case back makes these watches instantly recognisable. They have become some of the most collectable, especially amongst those interested in British military history.

Condition Report:

Winds and ticking but no guarantee as to time keeping or continued running.
Hands adjust and move correctly.
Light scratches and marks to glass.