Omega WWW 'Dirty Dozen'

Name: Omega WWW 'Dirty Dozen'
Brand: Omega
Price: 3822.93 USD
Availability: InStock

About the Item

Part of the well know and well collected 'Dirty Dozen' collection of British military watches from WW2. The Omega being one of the 12 brands the Ministry of Defence contracted to supply watches to be used by Military personal throughout the war. The Omega although not the rarest of them all (thought to be 25,000 made) it is one that is becoming increasingly harder to find that remains original without having had work carried out to the dial. This is one that although shows some dissolving of the number hour markers with aged hands it is one that appears to be original which to many is a decisive factor on when considering adding to a collection. Black Matte dial with off white stained origianl hour markers and track, subsidiary seconds to the bottom of the dial. As with all Dirty Dozen watches and the requirement of the MOD the black dial contrasts with the hands and hour markers to make for easy reading. 35mm stainless steel case, fixed rigid pin bars, manual wind 30T2 Caliber. Dial signed Omega and with the MOD Broad Arrow. Caseback markings clearly visible. A really good example of a Dirty Dozen watch that appears to have seen service. The case has been polished at some stage with the dial appearing to be relumed at some point as to ensure the owner could continue to use and wear long after service. Although work has been carried out later on despite this its a really good example of one of the much sought after Dirty Dozen watches. For more information or additional images please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Creator:

Omega

Movement:

Case Dimensions:

Height: 1.38 in (35 mm)Width: 1.38 in (35 mm)Diameter: 1.38 in (35 mm)

Place of Origin:

United Kingdom

Period:

1940-1949

Date of Manufacture:

1940s

Condition:

Repaired: As in above description. As above in description.

Seller Location:

London, GB

Reference Number:

Seller: CHW53511stDibs: LU3915222522922

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Omega

It’s a celebrated part of Omega lore that the brand’s Speedmaster Professional Chronograph was the first watch to make a lunar landing. But the universal love for vintage Omega watches isn't confined to astronomers, and there’s more to the company’s heritage than the story of the Moonwatch.

The house’s origins date to 1848, when Swiss watchmaker Louis Brandt first set up shop. His sons Louis-Paul and César took over after his death, and in 1894, the pair developed an intriguing new movement.

Not only was it highly accurate, but every part was replaceable, making it easy for any professional to service. The Brandts called their movement the Omega, and as its popularity spread, they changed their company’s name to that of its flagship product.

In 1917, the British Royal Flying Corps designated Omega as an official supplier, and during World War II it became the principal watch supplier for the British forces and their allies. These commissions further strengthened Omega’s commitment to ensuring its products’ reliability under extreme conditions. In 1948, it launched the versatile Seamaster. Developed as a dive watch, the Seamaster proved its durability at high altitudes and freezing temperatures, as well. (Here is the 1stDibs guide to spotting a fake Omega Seamaster.)

Thanks in part to its rugged reputation and Omega’s links to the British military, it became James Bond’s watch of choice in 1995, appearing in GoldenEye and every succeeding Bond movie; it returned in 2021’s No Time to Die. Nevertheless, the most famous Omega by far is the Speedmaster, introduced in 1957. The first chronograph to display its tachymeter scale on the bezel instead of the dial for easier readability, it was quickly adopted by engineers and scientists.

Worn by Buzz Aldrin during the 1969 Apollo 11 lunar mission, it’s the only watch certified by NASA for extravehicular activity (space walks) — and, as far as we know, the only one approved by the Russian space agency, too.

Watch aficionados and aficionadas alike can find vintage Omega watches today on 1stDibs.