Here we have a fine original example of a WW2 Issue Cyma ‘Dirty Dozen’ WWW watch. It has a large 38mm case, which is full stainless steel, with the broad bezel design. It has a polished bezel finish, with brushing to the top of the lugs and the sides of the case. It also has the original broad crown to the right.
The dial is originally black but has aged to a green/brown tone with exposure to sunlight and the effects of the Radium luminous plots. It still has the original luminous plots, with the bold white Arabic numerals. The railroad track sits around the outside, with the sunken sub-second dial above 6. The dial is signed ‘Cyma’ below 12, with the Broad arrow.
The index hands indicate the time and have the original aged pumpkin tone lume. The rear is signed with broad arrow and ‘W.W.W.’ marking, with the two serial numbers. It is also stamped inside. It has the original movement cover, which can often be missing. Inside is the manual wind Cyma calibre 234 movement. It is in good condition, keeping time to within +/- 10 seconds a day.
The watch has an estimated production of around 20,000 examples. It is a favourite amongst collectors due to the larger sizing of the case and the use of full Stainless Steel. The Radium luminous plots are original and untouched. The dial has developed a slightly faded patination, from the original black base tone.
No two dirty dozen watches are the same. The sizes vary, ranging from 35mm (Vertex) to 38mm (Longines). The handsets also vary across the watches, with the Cyma having index style hands. The Cyma also has a recognisable numeral font with the flat topped 4. The sub-second dial has individual second markers, with no arabic graduations.
The cases vary quite a lot. The Cyma has a full steel case and is a large size, which makes it more popular. The bezel is also dramatic and adds real presence on the Cyma.
History of Dirty Dozen:
They are affectionately known by collectors as the Dirty Dozen, after the 1960s film, which depicted the misadventures of 12 fictional soldiers during WW2. It is also a neat reference to the 12 different examples.
During the 1940s the MOD in Britain required watches to be issued to the military during WW2. They needed to be reliable, accurate and durable. The specification required that they have a black dial, clear Arabic numerals, luminous hour/minute hands, luminous plots, a railroad minute track, a sub-second dial and a shatterproof crystal.
They invited Swiss brands to build watches to these specific criteria. 12 brands were chosen. These were; Buren, Cyma, Eterna, Grana, jaeger LeCoultre, Lemania, Longines, IWC, Omega, Record, Timor and Vertex.
They were delivered in 1944 and into 1945, which meant that many of the watches may not have seen action. Comparatively, ATP issue watches were worn throughout the second world war. Despite this, the WWW watches are desirable and widely collected due to the larger sizing of the cases, the black dials and for some examples, the full Stainless cases.
They were issued under the classification of ‘General Service’, but they were issued to special units, including radio operators and artillery staff members.
The watch has the Broad Arrow (pheon) which indicates that it was British Government issue property.
The watches carry the W.W.W. stamp to the rear, which was a code established by the British Army. It simply stood for ‘Watch.Wrist.Waterproof.’ Two serial numbers were engraved, one being the manufacturers and the second with the letter, from the military store.
Less than 20 collectors in the world have a complete set. Even though over 150,000 were produced in total, one example in particular, the Grana, has a very low production number and subsequently, a high value.
Good examples are hard to come by. They were sent back to the Corps of Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (R.E.M.E), which dealt with all mechanical equipment. They had little interest in preserving originality and with so many watches needing work, the concern was to get them back on the wrist as soon as possible. This means that on the models with serial numbers on the case back and the lugs, not many match due to other backs being put on.
Post war, examples were also replaced with non-radioactive dials.
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below. A further condition report is below.
Dial:
The dial is original and is in patinated condition. The signing white was originally white, has turned to a cream tone. The signing is clear without wear. The lume plots have aged and are a dark tone. The overall tone was originally black, but it has aged to a dark green/brown tone.
Hands:
The hands are original and are in decent condition. They are silver, of index style with the original Radium luminous paint.
Glass:
The acrylic crystal would appear to be an older replacement. It is in good condition with no obvious marking. There are some stress markings within the acrylic.
Crown:
The crown is stainless steel and is original, with neat coin edge finish. It has slight marking to the face associated with ageing.
Case:
The case is Stainless Steel and is in good condition. The case has polished finishing to the bezel, with light brushing to the top of the lugs. The sides of the case have a brushed finish. There are small scratches all over, as expected with age and wear. The fixed bar lugs are good and strong.
Caseback:
The screw on case back is original. It is in good condition with clear engraving and light surface scratching. It has had the brushed finish re-instated in the past.
Strap:
The watch comes on a new black canvas NATO strap.
Movement:
The movement is a Cyma calibre 234. It is a 15-jewel manual wind calibre, which has a beat rate of 18,000 BPH.
The movement service history is unknown, but it is in good condition. It’s keeping time to within +/- 10 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 220 degrees and a beat error of 0.8m/s.
Case dimensions:
Case width: 38.25mm
Case width with crown: 41.5mm
Case length: 38.5mm
Case length lug to lug: 45.25mm
Case Depth: 12.75mm
Lug width: 18mm