RECORD | A STAINLESS STEEL WRISTWATCH COMMISSIONED FOR THE BRITISH ARMY, CIRCA 1945

The present lot from Record represents a rare opportunity to acquire a military watch commissioned especially for the British army in the 1940's. During World War II, Britain's Ministry of Defense commissioned a professional grade tool watch with strict specifications suited for the rigors of military duty. Only twelve firms met the requirements and have since been coined 'The Dirty Dozen.' Included were brands such as IWC, Omega, Longines, Jaeger-LeCoultre and more. 

Based on our research, approximately 25,000 units were made by Record, and about 145,000 military timepieces were made across all twelve brands. With each brand manufacturing a different volume, today's avid collectors have a difficult time completing a collection of all twelve pieces. Indeed, Grana, one of the twelve manufactured is estimated to have only made up to 5,000 pieces.