Vertex Watches

Vertex was established in 1916 by Claude Lyons. It specialised in the very best Swiss movements, designed and cased in Britain. From fine platinum and diamond watches to aeronautical chronometers, Vertex built its reputation on providing unvalued quality and service, both things Claude was passionate about. However, it was the story of Vertex’s war time service that has helped establish its legend amongst watch collectors of today. My grandfather’s experience with the Swiss watch trade and his fluent German soon saw him becoming responsible for procurement of watches and other essential items that were being sourced from neutral Switzerland. This lead to his involvement in project ‘Archer’, a carefully designed timepiece commissioned by the war office specifically for the battle field. Each watch had to have a black dial, Arabic numerals, luminous hour and minute hands, luminous hour markers, a railroad minute track, shatterproof Perspex screen, and a stainless-steel case. The back was engraved with W.W.W. standing for Wrist Watch Waterproof. Twelve watch manufacturers took up the challenge and were eventually accepted. The so-called ‘Dirty Dozen’ included Buren, Cyma, Grana, Jaeger Le-Coultre, Lemania, Longines, IWC, Omega, Record, Timor… and Vertex. It was the inspiring stories of these watches and their achievements and drove me on the fascinating journey of re-establishing the Vertex Watch Company and continuing my family legacy. It seems then, only fitting that our first timepiece in over 40 years is homage to the legendary Dirty Dozen watches, a modern interpretation made from todays best materials but keeping in mind those wartime requirements.