Vertex
London, United Kingdom · Est. 1916
Founded by Claude Lyons
Vertex was founded in 2014 to revive the W.W.W. military watch — the British Army's WWII-era watch supplied by the original Vertex company. The brand produces faithful re-editions of the historic military timepiece using modern Swiss movements in the original specifications.
- Founded
- 1916
- Headquarters
- London, United Kingdom
- Group
- Independent
- Price Segment
- Mid
- Status
- Revived
Key Collections
- M100 — Vertex's sole collection and reason for the brand's revival, directly inspired by the original W.W.W. (Watch, Wrist, Waterproof) watches supplied to British forces during the Second World War. The M100 faithfully recreates the dimensions, dial design, and lug shape of the 1940s original, fitted with a Swiss automatic movement. It is produced in very limited numbers to maintain the brand's artisanal character and authentic connection to its military heritage.
Timeline
- 1916 — The Vertex watch brand is founded in London by Claude Lyons, initially importing and distributing Swiss watches.
- 1940 — The British Ministry of Defence selects Vertex as one of several suppliers for the W.W.W. (Watch, Wrist, Waterproof) military watch, alongside Longines, IWC, Omega, and others.
- 1972 — The original Vertex company ceases trading, ending the brand's first chapter.
- 2019 — Don Cochrane, grandson of Claude Lyons, relaunches Vertex with the M100, a faithful reinterpretation of the original wartime watch.
- 2020 — Vertex releases limited batches of the M100, quickly selling out and establishing a loyal following among military watch enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions about Vertex
- What is the W.W.W. watch and why does it matter for Vertex?
- The W.W.W. (Watch, Wrist, Waterproof) was a standardised military watch produced by a consortium of Swiss and British brands for the British Army during the Second World War. Vertex was one of approximately a dozen approved makers. The current Vertex M100 is a contemporary homage to this original military watch, created by the founder's grandson.
- Is Vertex still in production?
- Yes, since its revival in 2019 under Don Cochrane, Vertex produces very limited runs of the M100 watch. Demand typically outstrips supply significantly, and the brand operates on a small scale consistent with its artisanal identity and authentic historical story.