Eterna Dirty Dozen, WW2 British MIlitary Issued Watch, circa 1944

Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist

The Eterna WWW is one of the famous “Dirty Dozen” military watches commissioned by the British Ministry of Defence during the Second World War. Produced in 1944, Eterna’s contribution was among the largest and is widely regarded as one of the finest. Built to strict military specifications, these watches featured highly legible dials, robust hand-wound movements and durable stainless steel cases. Today, the Eterna WWW is highly sought after by collectors of military and vintage tool watches. What's on Offer This 1944 Eterna WWW is one of the legendary "Dirty Dozen" watches commissioned by the British Ministry of Defence during the Second World War. Produced to a strict military specification, these watches were designed to be reliable, highly legible and robust enough for active service. Today, the Dirty Dozen series represents some of the most collectible military wristwatches ever produced, with Eterna's contribution regarded as one of the finest examples. The watch features the classic military layout collectors look for, including a matte black dial, bold Arabic numerals, luminous markers and a subsidiary seconds register at six o'clock. The iconic Broad Arrow marking on the dial signifies British government ownership and immediately identifies the watch as a genuine military-issued timepiece. It has an excellent presence on the wrist while remaining faithful to its wartime origins. Powering the watch is the respected Eterna Calibre 520H, a 15-jewel hand-wound movement offering approximately 42 hours of power reserve. Known for its durability and accuracy, the movement helped cement Eterna's reputation as a manufacturer capable of meeting the demanding standards required by the military. Condition is particularly impressive for a watch now over eighty years old. The dial remains clear and highly attractive, with strong military markings and a pleasing, honest patina developed through decades of careful ageing. The stainless steel case retains its original military character with expected signs of wear consistent with service use, while the hands and lume show age-appropriate characteristics that collectors appreciate. Overall, this is a very well-preserved example that presents beautifully and fully deserves its 9/10 condition rating. Fitted to a sand-coloured NATO strap, this Eterna WWW perfectly captures the spirit of wartime military watchmaking. Whether acquired as part of a Dirty Dozen collection or as a standalone piece of horological history, it remains an exceptional example of one of the most important military wristwatches ever produced.