Doxa WW2, Cal 12.1, 1944

Warm salmon-tone dial with natural patina

The dial is the strongest visual feature of this Doxa. It has aged to a warm salmon, copper, and rose-champagne tone, with visible natural patina across the surface. The color gives the watch a distinctive vintage appearance and separates it from more common silver or cream-dial Doxa watches. The printed outer minute track remains clearly visible around the edge, while the “Swiss Made” marking can be seen at the lower dial edge.

Arabic numerals and small seconds layout

The dial uses large Arabic numerals with a practical, highly legible layout. The numerals have aged to a darker grey tone and sit around the dial in a simple field-watch style arrangement. At 6 o’clock, the recessed small seconds subdial adds depth and period charm, with its own fine minute/seconds scale and a blued seconds hand. This small seconds configuration is typical of earlier hand-wound wristwatches and gives the watch a more authentic 1940s feel than later central-seconds dress models.

DOXA Anti-Magnetic signature

The dial is signed “DOXA Anti-Magnetic” below 12 o’clock, an important period detail for a practical Swiss wristwatch from the 1940s. The text is modestly printed and does not overpower the dial, preserving the simple, functional character of the watch. The anti-magnetic wording adds historical and collector interest, especially for buyers looking for early Doxa watches with utility-focused design rather than purely decorative dress-watch styling.

Blued hands with strong vintage character

The watch is fitted with striking blued hands that stand out clearly against the warm dial. The hour and minute hands have a long, leaf-like shape with aged centers, while the small seconds hand is also blued and matches the main handset. The blue tone is especially visible in the photos and gives the watch a beautiful contrast against the salmon-colored dial. This combination of warm dial color and blue hands is one of the most attractive visual qualities of the piece.

Fixed bar case and black fabric strap

The case has a compact steel-toned construction with fixed bar lugs, a practical feature often associated with earlier utility and military-era wristwatches. The fixed bars pair naturally with the black fabric strap, giving the watch a purposeful and understated appearance. The side photos show a rounded case profile with a stepped case band, raised crystal, and visible age-related marks on the case surfaces. These signs of wear are consistent with a vintage watch from the 1940s and add to the honest character of the piece.

Doxa-signed hand-wound movement

The movement photo shows a Doxa-signed Swiss hand-wound mechanical movement with visible ruby jewels, polished screws, and traditional bridge architecture. The movement is marked “Swiss Made,” and the regulator area is clearly visible. This manually wound movement suits the watch perfectly, offering the tactile experience expected from a true 1940s mechanical wristwatch. The open movement image also gives buyers useful transparency when evaluating originality and condition.

Caseback serial number and dating

The smooth caseback shows visible age-related scratches and the stamped serial number 445876. This is the most important dating clue on the watch. Since Doxa serial numbers from this era are commonly read with the first two digits indicating the year, the “44” prefix supports a production date of 1944. The back has a simple, utilitarian finish without decorative engraving, which matches the functional character of the watch.

Why this Doxa WW2 stands out

This Doxa WW2 stands out because of its 1944 dating, warm salmon-tone patinated dial, large Arabic numerals, blued hands, small seconds subdial, fixed bar lugs, and Doxa-signed hand-wound movement. It has a strong military-era look without relying on excessive decoration, and the visible age of the dial and case gives the watch a genuine vintage presence. For collectors looking for an early Doxa wristwatch from the 1940s, this example offers a compelling mix of history, originality, and distinctive visual character.

Technical Table