Cyma WWW "Dirty Dozen": A Pristine Military Watch Acquisition

COUNT DE MONET · 2020-05-16T02:44:35Z

Explore the Cyma WWW "Dirty Dozen" military watch, a historical timepiece from the 1940s. Discover its significance, tritium vs. radium lume, and collector insights.

COUNT DE MONET shares a pristine example of a Cyma WWW "Dirty Dozen" military watch, sparking a discussion about the historical significance and unique characteristics of these utilitarian timepieces. His acquisition, a testament to exceptional preservation, invites collectors to appreciate the enduring appeal of watches that played a crucial role in wartime history. This post highlights the importance of condition and provenance in vintage military watch collecting.

Key Points from the Discussion

The Cyma WWW is considered the most wearable of the "Dirty Dozen" due to its case proportions and is relatively undervalued, making it an attractive option for collectors.
Military watches, particularly chronographs, represent a significant historical period when war drove the transition from pocket to wristwatches and emphasized the utility of timekeeping.
The British Ministry of Defence (MOD) commissioned twelve manufacturers to produce these watches in the 1940s, a group collectively known as the "Dirty Dozen."
The MOD transitioned from radium to tritium luminous material in later models due to safety concerns, as radium emits gamma rays that pass through the watch, while tritium remains contained.
The Omega Fat Arrow, introduced in 1953, is noted as one of the first military watches to incorporate tritium, providing a benchmark for the transition timeline.
While many Cyma WWW watches feature broad hands, the syringe hands on COUNT DE MONET's example, matching the dial's condition, suggest originality.

The Discussion

Mr.Gatsby

May 16, 2020

Congrats !

Are those serviced hands and dial? They look “minty fresh”. In any case I feel that the Cyma WWW “dirty dozen” is the most wearable piece out of the 12. Great case proportions and relatively undervalued. I love mine a lot

COUNT DE MONET

May 16, 2020

Thank you Mr Gatsby

There are more Cymas with broad hands than with these syringe hands (On pictures on the internernet). I think they are original, as they match in condition with the dots on the dial.

COUNT DE MONET

May 16, 2020

You are correct: redialed and new hands

The MOD changed later models from radium to tritium. Maybe somebody knows when the change was? Radium emits gamma ray, wich "is an issue" as it passes through the watch. Tritium stays inside the watch.

Mr.Gatsby

May 16, 2020

No idea

However, I can say that referencing the Omega Fat Arrow, tritium was used in 1953. I think it’s amongst the first military watches to transition to tritium.

amanico

May 16, 2020

I always loved the Cyma.

I was on to grab it several times, and I am still on the hunt. Here is a very nice one. Credit picture: S Song.

COUNT DE MONET

May 16, 2020

Great patina

Maybe mine will develope it also? Mine was a piece of the collection from an old, local watchmaker. I don't think he has worn it often and kept it in a box mostly. This particular piece is also seen in his book about watches, that he published.

Cyma WWW "Dirty Dozen": A Pristine Military Watch Acquisition

Key Points from the Discussion

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