The Timor Heritage Field: A “Dirty Dozen” Watch is Reborn

The Timor Watch Company might ring a bell for certain collectors who are very focused on heritage military pieces. The brand has its roots in Switzerland in 1923, and rose to some prominence by the time they were commissioned to produce watches for the British military in the 1940s. As one of the “Dirty Dozen” watch manufacturers who produced timepieces under strict specifications for the war effort, they’re a highly collectible brand and well known among a certain type of deep enthusiast. These watches, known as W.W.W. watches, were discreet, simple, field watches, produced specifically for military use, where watches worn by military personnel previously had to be retrofitted for military spec (we went deep into Dirty Dozen history for Worn & Wound here). Now, after many years of dormancy, a flirtation with the pocket watch market in the far east, and the re-establishing of the brand in the UK, Timor is back with a recreation of the field watch that is so key to their history.

Timor Heritage Field 

• Case Material: Stainless steel 
• Dial: Black
• Dimensions: 36.5 x 11mm
• Crystal: Sapphire     
• Water Resistance: 50 meters 
• Crown: Push/pull           
• Movement: Sellita SW216, Sellita SW260
• Strap/bracelet: Mil-spec nylon, vintage inspired AF0210 
• Price: Early Bird pricing approximately $840; final retail approximately $1,230
• Reference Number: n/a
• Expected Release: Kickstarter launched today, February 20

Timor has timed the release of their Heritage Field watch to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the launch of the original watch that was issued to members of the British armed services. The Heritage Field is faithful to the original design of the “Dirty Dozen” watch, but is of course built with modern manufacturing techniques to appeal to the modern consumer. 

The case is bead blasted stainless steel, and will naturally resist scratches and develop an appropriately weathered look over time. At only 36.5mm in diameter, Timor has resisted the temptation to upsize their timepiece to appeal to modern trends, which is without a doubt the right choice for this watch. The whole purpose of a field watch is to be inconspicuous, lightweight, unobtrusive, and always ready to go. With a case height of just 11mm, a watch of these proportions should wear easily regardless of wrist size, and the intentionally legible and rudimentary dial layout makes it simple to get a sense of the time with a quick glance.  

The dial layout will be familiar to anyone who has taken even a cursory loook at W.W.W. watches in the past. The Heritage Field has a traditional black dial with Arabic numerals all around, with lume pips have been given a faux-tina treatment in keeping with the vintage vibes. The subsidiary seconds register at 6:00 has a nice radial finish for contrast with the dial, and the arrow under the Timor signature up top is a traditional indication of a watch made for the British military.  

The Heritage Field will be available in a choice of two different movements: a manually wound Sellita SW216, or an automatic Sellita SW260. The original W.W.W. watches were all hand wound (but with a variety of movements from the various manufacturers producing them) so it’s nice to see Timor offering a version of their watch with the spirit  of the original, while also providing an option for those who simply prefer the convenience of an automatic. Both movements are modified to remove the date function, in keeping with the original look and feel of the watch that inspired the Heritage Field.

The Heritage Field launched via Kickstarter today. You can back the campaign here. Timor