Vertex

Vertex was founded by Claude Lyons, who began working in the watch trade at age 17 in London. In 1912, he borrowed £1,000 from his father-in-law and established the Vertex Watch Company, specializing in Swiss movements re-cased in Britain. Vertex Watches Ltd was formally incorporated in 1916 with offices in London's Hatton Garden and La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. The company was commissioned to produce watches for the British Military during WWI in 1915. In 1927, Vertex became the exclusive UK importer of Movado watches. During WWII, Vertex became the sole British-based manufacturer among the 'Dirty Dozen' - twelve brands commissioned to produce W.W.W. (Wrist Watch Waterproof) navigation watches for British soldiers. Henry Lazarus, Claude Lyons's son-in-law and a Captain in the British Army, played a key role in this procurement. In 1944, 4,652 W.W.W. Cal 59 watches were delivered during D-Day preparations. The company fell victim to the quartz crisis in 1972 and closed. In 2016, Vertex was revived by Don Cochrane, Claude Lyons's great-grandson, launching the M100 - the first new Vertex watch in 45 years, based on the original Cal 59 design.