What’s the Best Dirty Dozen Homage Watch ?
Coming from a family with a proud military history—my grandfather fought in the Vietnam war and my dad in Desert Storm—military heritage means everything to me.
That's why I've been on the hunt for a Dirty Dozen watch that honors that legacy without breaking the bank.
This is the V2 Vaer A12 Dirty Dozen that came out several years back.
With its 36mm size, sapphire glass,
and Swiss ETA manual hand wind movement,
it's a perfect homage to the original 12.
Finally getting my hands on one felt like a victory.
I've been showcasing it on multiple straps.
I stumbled upon some old Dirty Dozen RCA CED video discs and shot the watch with it, capturing that vintage vibe perfectly.
Thanks for reading this far, what’s your favorite Dirty Dozen modern watch?
I have my eye on the Vertex next.
Hey guys! Big field & military watch guy. Excited to connect with the fellow watch fam. I’m on social known as @the_xcalibur and pretty established in the auto community and industry. Here to escape w...
I think Vaer nailed it with an affordable, yet still well made Dirty Dozen homage.
I've been a fan of the brand for a few years now, and recommend them to anyone looking for a quality affordable watch.
If you want military heritage, I suggest checking out Marathon and CWC watches. I have a few Marathons, but no CWC just yet.
I think Vaer nailed it with an affordable, yet still well made Dirty Dozen homage.
I've been a fan of the brand for a few years now, and recommend them to anyone looking for a quality affordable watch.
If you want military heritage, I suggest checking out Marathon and CWC watches. I have a few Marathons, but no CWC just yet.
You have great taste in watches! Thank you so much. I accidentally bought a MWC thinking it was the same as CWC. Also the tech with the tubes is fascinating to me with the marathon watches. Appreciate the feedback!
I haven't been able to see it in the metal yet, but the Vertex M100A looks like the best DD homage to my eye. Pricey though at over 3k.
I haven't been able to see it in the metal yet, but the Vertex M100A looks like the best DD homage to my eye. Pricey though at over 3k.
Ya that vertex is STUNNING. Not sure about 3K stunning but I want one next 😂
Vaer did great with this one. Hard to beat it in this price range. The only other offering that speaks to me personally is from Vertex (M100A). It’s quite a bit more expensive though, there’s a few members here that have one. I’d say those two would be my picks.
I think Timor deserve an honorable mention here - sitting between the Vaer and the Vertex price-wise but with directly relevant history/heritage.
Thank you for letting me know about Vertex, didn’t know they were back selling watches, that watch is a beast. The other Dirty Dozen watch I’ve been looking at is from Bremont, about the same price as Vertex.
Couldn’t agree more!
I’ve also had my eye on the Vertex M100A for a while. I heard they may be coming out with a 36mm version that I’d love to get my hands on, though it’s tricky to justify the higher price compared to the Vaer.
After doing a lot of research on dirty dozen watches myself, I purchased a Vaer. It's a really great watch and a throwback to the original dirty dozen.
Praesidus has a great selection,both quartz, hand wind, and automatic. Most available in period correct sizes.
A-11 Type 44 in original 32mm size
And it wasn't too small for these guys
Viet Nam era (mid 60's) homage to the iconic Seiko 5 Rec Spec watch.
Original
Praesidus homage
https://praesidus.com/
Thank you for letting me know about Vertex, didn’t know they were back selling watches, that watch is a beast. The other Dirty Dozen watch I’ve been looking at is from Bremont, about the same price as Vertex.
Oh ya I’ve seen those as well.
Praesidus has a great selection,both quartz, hand wind, and automatic. Most available in period correct sizes.
A-11 Type 44 in original 32mm size
And it wasn't too small for these guys
Viet Nam era (mid 60's) homage to the iconic Seiko 5 Rec Spec watch.
Original
Praesidus homage
https://praesidus.com/
Holy crap those are killer !!!
After doing a lot of research on dirty dozen watches myself, I purchased a Vaer. It's a really great watch and a throwback to the original dirty dozen.
Niceeee!!! I was the same! Spending hours on the forums and looking at every dirty dozen watch 🤣🤣🤣
Couldn’t agree more!
I’ve also had my eye on the Vertex M100A for a while. I heard they may be coming out with a 36mm version that I’d love to get my hands on, though it’s tricky to justify the higher price compared to the Vaer.
That is so sick. And ya , I saw the 36mm from vertex which looks so good🤯
I think Timor deserve an honorable mention here - sitting between the Vaer and the Vertex price-wise but with directly relevant history/heritage.
Facts! And the fact they made the original one as well. Thanks for the comment !
Vaer did great with this one. Hard to beat it in this price range. The only other offering that speaks to me personally is from Vertex (M100A). It’s quite a bit more expensive though, there’s a few members here that have one. I’d say those two would be my picks.
Right? I got mine for a screaming deal on eBay which I couldn’t pass up. The lume on the Vertex m100a looks insane though
Facts! And the fact they made the original one as well. Thanks for the comment !
Yes - I didn’t want to state that as I haven’t been able to determine if someone has bought the brand name and started making watches or if they have been making watches continuously throughout. But either way it has positives.
Thank you for the post! We're open to any feedback on how we can improve our mechanical A12 Dirty Dozen - we're always working to better our watches.
Given that there aren't any great affordable Dirty Dozen pieces out there, we're developing a $300 USA Assembled, Ameriquartz powered piece to be released in May of this year - very, very excited for it.
Thank you for the post! We're open to any feedback on how we can improve our mechanical A12 Dirty Dozen - we're always working to better our watches.
Given that there aren't any great affordable Dirty Dozen pieces out there, we're developing a $300 USA Assembled, Ameriquartz powered piece to be released in May of this year - very, very excited for it.
NO WAY!!! A quartz ?!!🤯🤯🤯
Thank you for the post! We're open to any feedback on how we can improve our mechanical A12 Dirty Dozen - we're always working to better our watches.
Given that there aren't any great affordable Dirty Dozen pieces out there, we're developing a $300 USA Assembled, Ameriquartz powered piece to be released in May of this year - very, very excited for it.
I love how affordable this manual wind is !!! Thank you for the comment and all that you guys do!
I love the Vertex but dam way over priced.
Went on this website got my eye on one of these they are pretty legit.
Excellent watch. I have a Hanhart with a small seconds and for some reason it emanates that vintage vibe. Looks very smilar. I think the field watch category is a rich vein for a collector. Makes you want to get out there and do something.
I love the Vertex but dam way over priced.
Went on this website got my eye on one of these they are pretty legit.
That’s sick! MWC right?
Excellent watch. I have a Hanhart with a small seconds and for some reason it emanates that vintage vibe. Looks very smilar. I think the field watch category is a rich vein for a collector. Makes you want to get out there and do something.
Oh nice !
Looks great! With this year being 80th anniversary of D Day, im looking forward to what everyone releases👌🏼
Vertex, but, oi, the cost.
Looks great! With this year being 80th anniversary of D Day, im looking forward to what everyone releases👌🏼
I didn’t know that. Thanks for the feedback !
That’s sick! MWC right?
Yeap for sure they have pretty nice picks.
I agree that #vaer nailed it. They both kill the design while making it their own.