Grana Remains WWII Dirty Dozen Holy Grail

Photo byBonhams

During World War II, twelve companies were commissioned to produce watches that were to the exact specifications of the British Ministry of Defence for its forces in 1945. The wristwatches were to be waterproof, shockproof, and accurate. They must also have a black dial, Arabic numerals, and nighttime readability for issue to the Armed Forces.

Collectors refer to the twelve watchmakers’ output as The Dirty Dozen, referencing the 1967 film of the same name.

Leading The Dirty Dozen is a rare Grana British military-issue stainless steel manual wind watch circa 1945.

The Grana was created in limited numbers of 1,000-5,000, making the watch a highly sought-after timepiece among collectors desiring to attain a complete set of twelve.

A Grana field watch, one of the most sought-after members of the Dirty Dozen WWII timekeepers, sold for almost $38,000 at auction in 2022, proving the enduring and rising popularity of the military watches.

Konrad Knirim’s book British MilitaryTimepieces delves into the historical significance of the British MOD specifications for watches issued to soldiers during the Second World War. In their efforts to conserve precious resources during wartime, the British military commissioned 12 Swiss watchmakers to create watches on spec for their officers in battle.

According to British Ministry of Defense (MOD) specifications, the watch was to have a chronometer-grade movement. This term refers to a high-precision mechanical movement tested and certified to meet specific precision standards. The watch was also required to be waterproof and housed in a chrome or stainless steel case, 35 to 38 millimeters, not including the crown.

Every watch had to have a black dial with luminous markers. The face would feature simple dial layouts, including a minute hand.

Knirim explains that the back of the watch was engraved WWW, which means wrist, watch, and waterproof. A military serial number was present. A Broad Arrow marked the piece as H.M. Government Property. The Broad Arrow marking has been used for more than 400 years.

Each British Military Timepiece, with its unique features and slight variations from maker to maker, holds a significant historical value. It’s a matter of personal preference when a collector claims one to be the best.

This personal preference can be based on the watch’s condition, historical significance, or aesthetic appeal. Each of the twelve has its fans, and it’s no surprise that collectors proudly display their WWW watches.

The entire set of twelve in one case is scarce, with less than twenty complete sets of twelve today. For British collectors, a box of twelve is not just a collection; it’s a holy grail and a testament to their dedication and love for these timepieces.

Photo byPinterest

Collectors scour the planet trying to complete a set of Dirty Dozen watches, the simplest timepieces made for the military at the end of the Second War by 12 different manufacturers to the exact field watch specification.

There are believed to have been between 1,000 and 5,000 of the steel, manually wound watches produced by Grana, the smallest of the commissioned watchmakers.

Watch collectors have varying tastes. While some chase the spectacular, others seek historical pieces to build their collections. This set of twelve British watches, known today as the Dirty Dozen, is not just a treasure; it’s a living piece of history, a testament to the bravery and resilience of the soldiers who wore them.

Another notable lot from The Dirty Dozen Horological Hall of Fame is a Jaeger LeCoultre wristwatch circa 1945. It was first issued to soldiers for general service in the second half of 1945. The timepiece is again marked WWW and features a chrome-plated case and a black dial with broad arrows and fixed bars.

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Douglas Pilarski is an award-winning writer & journalist based on the West Coast. He writes about luxury goods, exotic cars, horology, tech, food, lifestyle, equestrian and rodeo, and millionaire travel.

You’re welcome to share your thoughts or tell me your story. Please email me here. dp1@sawyertms.com

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