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MWC 1940s/1950s "Dirty Dozen" Pattern General Service Watch with a 24 Jewel Swiss Sellita SW216 Movement and a Domed Vintage Box Sapphire Crystal

€699,00

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Product Details

SKU: DD/01/AUCH

This classic hand-wound MWC military watch, featuring a Swiss Sellita 24-jewel SW216 movement and a small subsidiary dial second hand, is based on the typical designs used by the British military from the 1940s to the 1950s. It retains the appearance of the original watch while offering increased water resistance up to 100m (330 feet). The shatter and scratch-resistant sapphire box crystal maintains the outward appearance of the original plexiglass without any of the drawbacks, greatly increasing durability.

This watch features a heavy satin finish case made from military-grade 316L stainless steel, a subsidiary dial second hand, screw-down crown, hacking function, black dial, and luminous markings. It also includes a historically accurate canvas strap as used in the 1940s and 50s.

The final image shows the original 12 watches made by companies like Buren, Cyma, Eterna, Grana, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Lemania, Longines, IWC, Omega, Record, Timor, and Vertex. MWC was not a manufacturer at that time, having been founded in 1974, but this watch is very much in the spirit of the originals.

Specifications

  • Case Diameter: 36.5 mm (excluding crown), 39 mm (including crown)
  • Lug to Lug: 43 mm
  • Thickness: 12.5 mm
  • Lug Type: Solid fixed strap bars
  • Dial Color: Black
  • Case Material: 316L stainless steel
  • Caseback: 316L stainless steel
  • Crown: Stainless steel screw-down locking crown
  • Water Resistance: 100m / 330ft / 10 ATM
  • Movement: Swiss 24-jewel hand-winding Sellita 216
  • Crystal: Shatter and scratch-resistant sapphire box crystal with anti-reflective coating *
  • Luminous Material: Luminova
  • Serial Number: On caseback
  • Strap: 18 mm 1950s pattern canvas
  • Packaging: Supplied in a box
  • Warranty: 24 months

Benefits of Sapphire Crystal

Many people ask about the benefits of sapphire crystal over the original plexiglass. Synthetic sapphire is the superior material for watch crystals due to its exceptional strength and resistance to shattering and scratching. These characteristics make it highly appealing to military and security personnel, police officers, and people who lead active outdoor lifestyles, who account for over 70% of our customers.

The original plexiglass crystals, made of a plastic/acrylic type material frequently used up until the 1980s, suffered drawbacks: they were easily scratched and could crack upon impact, limiting the water resistance of the watch. Our observations show that over 90% of watches with cracked crystals involve mineral glass or plexiglass. Even with hardened mineral crystals, they do not match the durability of sapphire under adverse conditions. Sapphire crystals are robust because, after manufacturing, the sapphire glass is heat-treated to remove internal stresses, which can cause weakness. The crystals are then coated with two layers of anti-reflective coating. Although sapphire crystal comes at a higher cost, it is typically found in higher-end watches due to its longevity, resilience, and superior performance.

    Photo Credit

    * Photo Credit: Watches Of Knightsbridge

    For anyone interested in the history of the Dirty Dozen these links show the 12 original watches and explain the history.

    The Dirty Dozen 1

    The Dirty Dozen 2

    The Dirty Dozen 3

    SWISS SELLITA SW216 MOVEMENT WINDING GUIDELINES

    To wind the SW216 from an empty state to full, you'll need approximately 20 to 25 turns of the crown. Most other hand-wound watches require 30 to 40 turns, so this movement needs significantly fewer. Once fully wound, the watch boasts an average power reserve of around 42 hours. It's crucial to exercise caution during the winding process because securing the locking crown adds an additional 3 or 4 winds. This must be factored in, especially since most hand-wound watches of this type lack a screw-down crown. We added this feature to increase the water resistance rating to 100m/330ft.

    For those who wear the watch daily and wind it consistently, such as every morning, a slight variation in the number of turns will not significantly impact the overall power reserve, as it will be well below the maximum of around 42 hours.

    Some users have reported that approximately 15 to 17 turns are sufficient when winding every 24 hours. This seems logical because the watch would not need a full wind after 24 hours. Nevertheless, individual preferences may vary, and most owners tend to develop a sense of the optimal winding routine within the first few days of ownership.

    Above all, it's crucial to emphasize the importance of not overwinding the watch, which could lead to locking up issues or, worse, damage or breakage of the mainspring. Adhering to the recommended winding procedures ensures the longevity and proper functioning of the timepiece.

    To clarify, overwinding occurs when a mechanism is wound beyond its designated stopping point, posing the risk of damage or even destruction to the winding mechanism. Overwinding is a concern primarily for manually-wound watches, not for their automatic counterparts, which normally cannot be overwound.

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