Why We Love It Vintage watches are enchanting not purely because of their design or mechanical merits, but for the stories that they tell. There are few stories more harrowing and inspiring than those of bravery under fire. The Second World War showed both the darkest depths of human cruelty and the greatest heights of bravery and compassion. Memorabilia from this period in history reminds us of the lessons learned through that struggle - how far we've come, and yet how far we still have to go. Timor was one of 12 companies who produced watches for the war effort (more on that later). Known as the “Dirty Dozen” by collectors, these watches have become desirable—because of who wore them, what they represent, and for being, quite simply, completely badass. This particular piece is an incredible glimpse into the past. Its radium luminous material remains thick and puffy on the dial, deeply aged and patinated from the decades since it saw use on the battlefield. In many ways, this watch represents the reason that many collectors became interested in watches in the first place. A truly special glimpse into the past. The Story Diehard collectors of these watches know the story, but it bears repeating. These watches--stamped W.W.W. for "Watch Wristlet Waterproof"--had to meet strict standards mandated by the British Ministry of Defense during the last half of 1945. The specs were these: black dial; Arabic numerals; luminous hands (radium); 15 jewel movement; and waterproof. Twelve companies met these standards, and manufactured the watches that would be dubbed the "Dirty Dozen" and fascinate collectors for decades. They were: Buren, Cyma, Eterna, Grana, JLC, Lemania, IWC, Omega, Record, Timor, Vertex, and Longines.
