The “Dirty Dozen” is the name given to the twelve manufacturers commissioned by the British Ministry of Defence during WWII to produce wristwatches for military service. Among them, Record was one of the original suppliers, producing robust and highly legible timepieces that became enduring symbols of wartime utility. This particular example is even more intriguing as it was later reissued for military use in Ghana, with the caseback engraved “G.A.” (Ghana Army), making it a rare and unusual variant for collectors of military timepieces.

What’s on Offer

We are delighted to offer for sale this Record military wristwatch, originally built to British Ministry of Defence specifications and later reissued for service in Ghana. The dial shows a rich, even patina that gives it a wonderfully vintage character. The hands retain their original lume and the Arabic numerals  are still crisp. At 6 o’clock, the subsidiary seconds dial completes the classic military layout.

The steel case, measuring a wearable size, bears the “G.A. 694” engraving to the caseback, denoting its issue to the Ghana Army. The plating on the case has worn in areas, exposing the base metal beneath—a testament to its history and years of active use. For collectors of Dirty Dozen and military watches, this unusual Ghana reissue offers a fascinating chapter in the story of WWII-era timepieces and their global legacy.