THE HOME OF WATCH CULTURE

VIDEO: “I use it as my daily beater” – Andre and his Longines Greenlander VIDEO: “I use it as my daily beater” – Andre and his Longines Greenlander

VIDEO: “I use it as my daily beater” – Andre and his Longines Greenlander

Felix Scholz

To most people, The Dirty Dozen is the prototypical misfit movie, starring the late, great Lee Marvin. But to watch fans, it’s something else entirely. In watchland, the Dirty Dozen refers to the 12 suppliers of watch, wrist, waterproof timepieces (the WWW engraving on the caseback) to the British Ministry of Defence during World War II. Some of those suppliers, such as Longines, IWC and Omega, are well-known names today, but others, like Timor, Vertex and Grana, are consigned to those particularly brutal pages of history. But, as with all things military, these watches have a cachet and a cult following, thanks to their utilitarian style. And amongst aficionados of the Dozen, the Longines Greenlander is seen as one of the most desirable. It’s fairly rare, with only about 8000 being made, but it’s also the largest, at 38mm, and has an interesting stepped design. All things that proud owner Andre points out. What makes this watch even more special (to my mind at least) is that Andre wears it regularly, and without fear. Andre’s example is special in that it’s retained its radium dial, and looks exceptional on that worn fabric strap. A beautiful watch, worn well and full of history.