Lemania LEMANIA mechanical watch | Original dial, extremely high collectible value Dirty Dozen

In the watch collecting circle, the name "Twelve Apostles" is given to twelve watches, which originated from a commission by the British Ministry of Defense during World War II and are highly valuable for military watch enthusiasts. In 1939, when Britain declared war on Germany, domestic watch brands were almost unable to compete with the strong production capabilities of Swiss watchmaking industry, so they decided to place custom orders with Swiss manufacturers.

Due to the harsh conditions on the battlefield, the requirements of these orders were particularly strict, including but not limited to meeting astronomical observatory standards, waterproof and shockproof features, black dials, Arabic numerals, luminous hour and minute hands, luminous hour markers, railroad minute tracks, anti-fragmentation sapphire crystal glass, stainless steel cases, and movements with 15 jewels, with a diameter between 11.75 and 13 lignes. Watches that met these standards were engraved with the letters "WWW" on the case back, representing "Watch", "Wrist", and "Waterproof".

At that time, twelve manufacturers participated in the research and production of these custom orders, including BUREN, CYMA, ETERNA, GRANA, JAEGER LECOULTRE, LEMANIA, LONGINES, IWC, OMEGA, RECORD, TIMOR, and VERTEX.

This LEMANIA military watch was produced in 1945 during World War II, with a 27A manual winding movement. As a powerhouse in the movement industry, the movement is well-made and exudes a strong mechanical feel. The original dial is intact, in good condition. It features Arabic numeral markers, small sub-dials, classic sword hands, luminous material for night visibility, and maintains a harmonious design. The watch has a diameter of 36mm (excluding the crown), with the classic WWW marking on the case back. The overall condition of the case is good, with some signs of wear. It comes with a military green NATO strap, adding to its military aesthetic.

Often, when we collect watches, it is not necessarily for the purpose of telling time or investment value, but rather to appreciate and collect the stories and history contained within them, to experience the emotions and vicissitudes of life. This is the true meaning of collecting antique watches, and the real value of the "Twelve Apostles".