Grana Dirty Dozen, World War II Issued Soldiers Watch, circa 1944

Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist

Grana WW2 Dirty Dozen Solider's Watch in Incredible Original Condition with Beautifully Aged Lume and Original Military Engravings. The Grana WW2 "Dirty Dozen" watch carries a significant place in military history and watchmaking excellence. During World War II, the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) recognized the need for a reliable, rugged, and easily readable wristwatch for its troops. This led to the commissioning of watches from twelve manufacturers, who collectively produced what would later be known as the "Dirty Dozen." The specifications set by the MoD were stringent: watches had to feature a black dial with Arabic numerals for easy legibility, a durable case resistant to various elements, luminous hands for visibility in low light conditions, and a robust movement capable of maintaining accurate timekeeping even in extreme situations. Highly sought after and with very few serious collectors amassing the full 12, collecting the complete set of Dirty Dozen Military watches has become a horological adventure for military enthusiasts and historians alike. The elusive Grana is the absolute holy grail for Dirty Dozen collectors, so few were produced in comparison with the other brands (roughly 1000-1500), they are particularly hard to find and particularly in good condition. What’s On Offer We are incredibly pleased to offer this superb (and scarce) Grana Dirty Dozen WW2 soldiers watch for sale. We have been lucky enough to procure a number of these sought-after watches over the last 12 years and we are always very sad to see them go, especially when they are in such superb condition as this one is. Just look at the beautiful rich black dial boasting all the hallmarks we would expect to see - bold Arabic numerals, a recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o'clock, the military pheon (an arrow painted on the dial to denote the watch as the property of the MoD) and lumed hands and hour plots. The lume has aged to a beautiful pumpkin colour and is the jewel in the crown of this watch. To the caseback, you will note the watch's original military engravings which read WWW M18535 and the military pheon is present again. This watch has been incredibly well preserved, and given the rarity of the Grana Dirty Dozen, we don't expect it to be around for long, so don't sleep on this one, especially if this is the one you need to finish your set!