1945 Record W.W.W. 'Dirty Dozen' British Military 36mm

Here we have a 1945 Record W.W.W. 'Dirty Dozen' British Military 36mm. As a military-issue watch, it was part of the 12 brands commissioned by the British Ministry of Supply during WWII. The round case is crafted from chrome-plated brass with a solid stainless steel back, measuring a versatile 36mm. It fits comfortably on your wrist thanks to its tapered lugs, 46mm lug-to-lug length, and 12mm case thickness. True to its military specifications, the watch features 18mm fixed spring bars for maximum security in the field. A smooth bezel holds a domed crystal securely over a matte black dial. An outer minute rail track surrounds bold Arabic numerals coated in luminance, complemented by matching lume-filled hands and a prominent sub-seconds register at 6 o’clock. At 12 o’clock, you will find the Record motif alongside the iconic British Broad Arrow (pheon), denoting government property. On the reverse, the screw-down steel case back clearly displays the broad arrow and the official "W.W.W." designation, which stands for Watch, Wrist, Waterproof. Inside beats the manually wound Record Calibre 022K, a Swiss 15-jewel movement operating at a reliable, leisurely pace. Celebrated for its robust construction, this movement was purpose-built to withstand the harsh conditions of wartime service. The watch comes paired with a quality Bark & Jack 18mm NATO strap and a classic steel pin buckle.

This watch is sold as "Watch only" and, therefore, comes with no original Record box or paperwork. It is paired with a quality Bark & Jack 18mm NATO strap. The watch is from Circa 1945 and is sold in worn, vintage condition. Coming fresh from service and a new crystal. Sword hour hand and a later "Pipette” minute hand. Wear and age are evident throughout the watch, but overall, this is an honest example of this rare reference. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

I've always loved military watches because every mark tells a story, and this Record W.W.W. is a perfect example of that. The most captivating feature isn't something that could ever be recreated; it's the unique patina on the dial, formed over decades as the hands remained in the same position for an extended period, gently leaving their silhouette behind. It's almost like the watch has preserved a moment in time. Rather than detracting from the watch, I think it adds an enormous amount of character. It's an honest reminder that this wasn't a watch built to sit in a display cabinet; it was made for service, and the dial has aged in a way that makes this example completely unique. I would not hesitate to add this example to your collection today!

Reference : W.W.W.
Movement : Manually Wound Record Cal. 022K
Age : Circa. 1945
Year : 1945
Case Size : 36mm
Case Thickness : 12mm
Lug to Lug : 46mm
Lugs : 18mm (Fixed Bars)
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box and Papers : None
Case Material : Chrome
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
The wrist model's wrist size is 7inch

Record was founded in Tramelan, Switzerland, in 1903. Using the name Record Dreadnought S.A., producing triangular-shaped pocket watches. In 1944, their first watches with hammer automatic movements were produced, and rotor automatics were later produced in 1952. The record was one of the ‘Dirty Dozen’ watches selected by the British military to make ‘W.W.W.’ watches for their soldiers in WWII; these were delivered in 1945. Longines acquired Record in 1961, buying the majority shares interest. In 1991, Record sadly closed after Longines became part of the Swatch Group.