During WWII, the Britain's Ministry of Defence (MoD) imported Swiss wristwatches and issued them under the A.T.P. moniker (Army Trade Pattern); most of these were 29-33 millimeters chrome or steel-cased watches with white or silver dials, luminous pips, or baton indices, running central or sub-seconds, and 15-jewel movements with snap or screw back cases. However, the MoD eventually decided that these watches, which were essentially civilian models with military dials and spec/issue numbers, weren’t cutting it in the field, and they drew up a specification for a new wristwatch designed to fit the needs of Her Majesty’s Government.
 
The W.W.W. (Watch, Wrist, Waterproof) series timepiece was designed by the MoD to be the general issue field watch for their military forces, and commissioned from 12 Swiss manufacturers.: Buren, Cyma, Eterna, Grana, JLC, Lemania, Longines, IWC, Omega, Record, Timor, and Vertex. Because the 12 contracted firms each differed in size and production capabilities, each company simply delivered as many watches as it could produce, with a total of approximately 150,000 of these almost identical timepieces being delivered. These watches were ultimately to replace the issued A.T.P. watches from earlier in the war but have gone on to become far more collectible and sought after due to their high-quality form and function.
 
Each watch was commissioned and manufactured with similar specifications and, as military issues, they were hard-wearing, highly legible, and water-resistant with stainless steel or nickel-plated cases, shatterproof crystal, and fixed lug bars. Watches were, as standard, capable of chronometer accuracy and their movements precision adjusted. Each piece also had a large black dial with white Arabic characters, luminous hands, indices, and a railroad minute track with sub-seconds at 6 o’clock. 
 
The W.W.W. watches have become known as “The Dirty Dozen,” both as a reference to the famous 1967 war film, and because the timepieces were produced by a total of 12 Swiss watch firms. Because the watches weren’t delivered until between May and December of 1945, it is unlikely that none of them saw combat during WWII, as production wasn't completed until after the Nazis surrendered in 1945. The MoD continued to issue these pieces for many years after the war, and a great number likely saw action in conflicts around the globe, some were even reissued to other militaries.
 
1970 Custom Omega
British MoD Military Style
The “Dirty Dozen” Field Watch
 
Today, we are presenting a unique timepiece, it is a custom Omega W.W.W. British MoD military style wristwatch. From the Omega Seamaster line, reference 135.070 and dated from 1970.
 
It is a manual-wind watch powered by an original Omega Watch Co. movement caliber 613, 17 jewels, sweep second, adjusted two (2) positions, 48 hours power reserve, 19,800 A/h, Swiss made.
 
Very similar to the W.W.W. British MoD issue, this watch features a long black dial, Arabic Numerals, railroad minute/second track and silver matching hands. The dial is also signed with the Omega name/logo and the pheon (broad arrow) – a symbol used traditionally by the British government to mark government property.
 
Cased in a 34mm case and lug design, all in stainless steel, waterproof. Original signed Omega crown. The case back is also signed with the pheon and the two numbers to mark the manufacturer’s unique identifying number, and the second, beginning with a letter, was the military store number.
 
This watch comes with a vintage fold-over clasp bracelet.

This watch is in very good condition! Runs very well and keep great time!
 
Thank you for looking! Please feel free to contact us with any questions, or respectful offers.

Movement:
OMEGA Watch Co.
17 Jewels
Swiss
Cal. 613
Serial Number 32939917
Adjusted two (2) positions

Case Back Markers:
Acier Inoxydable
Omega Watch Co.
Fab. Suisse
Swiss Made
135.070

W.W.W.
Y22668
10585857

Measurements (mm):
Case Diameter 34
Case Diameter w/Crown 36.8
Case Lug to Lug 41.8
Case Thickness 11
Lug Width 18
Band Width 18

Vintage watches are traditionally smaller than today's watches. Men’s watches typically measure between 29-36mm wide (some larger, some smaller) excluding the crown. In the listing details we typically try to do our best to list all pertinent dimensions of a watch. If you don't see it, or we failed to do so, please reach out to us. Women’s watches from the 1900s-1970s were also much smaller than today's offerings. Please also feel free to ask any questions you have pertaining to size.

We prefer to shoot photographs outside when weather is permitting. However, when we shoot indoors, please be aware that we shoot our photographs inside of lightboxes that are lit with 360 LED bulbs. This indeed magnifies any flaws. Usually, they are much less obvious to the naked eye. Having said that, we never photoshop any of our photography, remove blemishes, etc. We adjust lighting when necessary, but what you see is what you are getting, and we take pride in that.

The condition is pre-owned.

The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear but is fully operational and functions as intended.
Please review the photos and feel free to ask any questions you may have.
It will be carefully packed.

Please view our other listings.
Thank you for looking!

WA-0580