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

MkX, with a hand-wound movement, 83 calibre, 15-jewel movement, a matt black dial with white numerals and subsidiary seconds, engraved the backplate with a MOD arrow above 'WWW' and 'M12873'

35mm case diameter approx

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 collectible, especially amongst those interested in British military history.