BRITISH ENGINEERING FOR THE 1%
The Zero West S5e is a 42mm, precision-engineered timepiece — a bold, modern take on the WW2 “Dirty Dozen” watch. Fully designed in-house, including its unique integrated bracelet, the S5e blends military heritage with sharp, contemporary design. Limited to just 100 pieces, this is British watchmaking at its most exclusive.
SPITFIRE ON THE WRIST
Zero West is proud to be a restoration partner of Spitfire AA810. From its recovered Merlin engine, we’ve taken rare metal, smelted it down, and recast it into the serial number plates on every S5e. Each plate is unique – an authentic piece of history carried on your wrist.
A SECRET MESSAGE OF ESCAPE
Invisible in daylight. Alive under UV. On the back of the S5e, a hidden lume print ignites: “ESCAPE TUNNEL HARRY 22.30, 24-03-1944 51.5986N-15.3075E.” Not decoration — a coded call to freedom, glowing from history itself.
UNDER PRESSURE YOU NEED CLARITY
Our contemporary take on the legendary Dirty Dozen dial is built for the moments that demand focus. By using modern X1 Super-LumiNova, the S5e delivers unrivalled legibility in the dark – so when the pressure’s on, you see only what matters: time, clear and uncompromised.
TECH SPEC
Each model in the collection continues to reflect Zero West’s commitment to precision engineering, innovative DualConcentricConstruction™, and distinctive design elements.
- Latitude and Longitude reference POW camp Stalag Luft III.
- Date code references when Spitfire AA810 was shot down
- Black dial based on a Dirty Dozen concept with segmented coloured countdown and highlighted, lumed 6 o’clock seconds subdial
- Serial number side insert cast from AA810 Spitfire metal
- Hand-assembled, regulated, and tested in-house
- Five-axis, aerospace grade
- 42mm diameter, 316L Stainless Steel, overall matt finish
- Zero West DualConcentricConstruction™ (DCC™)
- Polised stainless steel back with inset reverse printed sapphire crystal
- Water resistance: 10ATM (100m)
- Main Crown – Matt silver finished sprung, screw-down with triple seal technology
- Front: Tactical deep chamfered and optically corrected sapphire crystal
- Rear: Reverse printed graphic concealing hidden lume message
- Sellita SW261-1 ‘Top Premium Grade’
- In house regulated
- 28,800vph
- 31 jewels
- Self-winding ball bearing rotor
- Power reserve ~41 hours
- Black dial based on a Dirty Dozen concept with segmented coloured countdown and highlighted, lumed 6 o’clock seconds subdial
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Oversize Superluminova stencil numerals around the clock; aviation black and white sword hands with inlaid Superluminova and matching lumed second hand
- Recessed seconds subdial at 6 o’clock
- 42mm diameter
- 12.2mm thick
- 22mm lug width
- 47mm lug to lug pin spacing
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Standard rubber 22/20mm. Zero West custom military and aerospace grade cross-linked fluoroelastomer rubber. Matt silver pin buckle
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Integrated rubber 22/20mm. Zero West custom military and aerospace grade cross-linked fluoroelastomer rubber. Zero West in-house designed deployment buckle
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Leather padded strap 22/20mm. Handmade with the finest Italian leather and hypoallergenic lined. Matt silver pin buckle. Sizes: Long: 195-235mm / Standard 180-220mm / Short: 170-205mm
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Rally leather strap 22/20mm. Handmade with the finest Italian leather and hypoallergenic lined. Zero West brushed silver butterfly clasp. Available in standard size 175mm-220mm
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Metal bracelet 22/20mm. 316 stainless steel, matt sliver with polished centre links, design in-house and uniquely engineered to complement our watch head. Deployment buckle
Sandy Gunn and Spitfire AA810
Flight Lieutenant Alastair ‘Sandy’ Gunn flew unarmed Spitfire AA810 with the RAF’s elite Photographic Reconnaissance Unit, gathering vital intelligence deep in enemy skies. Shot down over Norway in 1942, he was captured and held at Stalag Luft III. In March 1944, he joined the Great Escape through tunnel Harry, but was recaptured and executed—one of 50 men killed on Hitler’s orders.
Eyes in the sky…
Sandy Gunn’s story reflects the courage of the RAF’s Photographic Reconnaissance Unit – pilots who flew unarmed, alone, and deep into enemy territory. His resilience, sacrifice, and role in the Great Escape remain a powerful reminder of wartime bravery. Today, the restoration of Spitfire AA810 – found in Norway and supported by Zero West – honours Gunn and his fellow pilots, ensuring their legacy endures.
…to the great POW escape
A unique aviation tribute
Zero West has created a unique tribute to aviation history by incorporating aluminium alloy from the Merlin engine of Spitfire AA810, recovered from a Norwegian hillside. This PRU aircraft flew vital WWII missions before being lost for decades. From its engine metal, 100 serial number plates were cast for the S5e – each a lasting link to its legacy.
Recasting history for the S5e
The casting of these plates was a masterclass in precision and heritage craft. A 3D-printed master was used to create wax replicas for lost-wax casting, one of the oldest metalworking techniques. One of Britain’s last remaining casters then hand-poured the melted AA810 alloy, before each plate was finished, laser-engraved, and fitted to the watches—unique pieces carrying the spirit of the Spitfire.
Zero West are proud to be part of this important historical project and sponsor the restoration of the cockpit instrumentation, helping to tell this courageous story of man and machine. Since the discovery of this PRU Spitfire in the peat bogs of Norway’s Surnadal hills, all involved in the project have been waiting for the day when it will once again be painted in the colours of RAF ‘Air Superiority Blue’ and take to the skies.
For further information on the restoration project check out: www.spitfireaa810.co.uk
