Dive into history.
The Dunkirk 1940 watch pays tribute to the French, Belgian, and British soldiers who facilitated the evacuation of 338,226 men during Operation Dynamo. It embodies the courage and sacrifice of these heroes.
Dunkirk 1940
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Automatic version
An automatic watch works thanks to a complex mechanism of springs and wheels.
Quartz version
A Quartz watch uses a battery and a quartz crystal to provide remarkable accuracy.
Dunkirk 1940 Quartz
From 549€
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On May 26, 1940, at 6:57 p.m., Operation Dynamo was launched by Royal Navy Admiral Bertram Ramsay from the Dynamo Room at Dover Castle in England. Within nine days, and thanks to the heroism of thousands of soldiers, hundreds of thousands of men were evacuated from the ports and beaches of Dunkirk, marking one of the most iconic moments of the Second World War.
The “V” for victory depicted at 5 o’clock in red, popularized by Sir Winston Spencer Churchill as a sign of resistance to the Germans, has over time become a universal symbol of peace.
In Morse code, this "V" translates to (…-), a detail subtly integrated into the watch, represented by the three spherical stones and the blue line, thus recalling the spirit of struggle and insubordination. The last ship, the Shikari, left Dunkirk on June 4 at 3:40 a.m., and arrived in Dover at 6:40 a.m. That same day, at 2:23 p.m., Operation Dynamo was officially declared over. This day also marked the inspiration for Churchill's famous speech “We shall fight on the beaches,” delivered between 3:40 p.m. and 4:14 p.m., a call to resistance that will remain etched in history.
John E. Atkins was the youngest soldier killed during Operation Dynamo. At just 15 years old, this teenager demonstrated great bravery by boarding one of the "Little Ships" to participate in the evacuation, a heroic act that will remain etched in the history of this operation. Sadly, before embarking, he sent a letter to his mother:
“Dear Mother,
We're in the Navy now, we're going to France today and may never come back. Don't worry.
John »
Initially, Sir Winston S. Churchill had planned to repatriate only 45,000 soldiers from the Dunkirk pocket. However, thanks to unprecedented collaboration between international military and civilian forces, 338,226 soldiers were saved in just nine days, thanks to the involvement of the "Little Ships," a community of boats that symbolizes the spirit of solidarity and courage. This number of lives saved is reflected at 9 o'clock on the dial.
The city of Dunkirk took the initiative to award an official medal to all veterans and civilians who participated in this historic evacuation. It also contributed to the creation of this model by making its archives and expertise available, allowing it to faithfully reflect the reality of the Battle of Dunkirk and
Operation Dynamo. A tangible tribute to the heroism of those who left their mark
this page of history.
The name "George" is discreetly inscribed in the V at 6 o'clock. A reference to King George VI, father of Queen Elizabeth II, and sovereign of the United Kingdom during the Second World War—a silent but essential figure, alongside Churchill, in the Dunkirk ordeal.
A moving design, a tribute to heroism.
The design of the Dunkerque 1940 watch is directly inspired by the heroism of Operation Dynamo and the spirit of the men who made this miraculous evacuation possible. The watch's dial, with its meticulous detailing, pays tribute to the soldiers and civilians who risked their lives in the "Little Ships" to save those trapped at Dunkirk. The "V" for victory, a symbol of resistance and unity, is subtly integrated into the design, recalling the coded messages sent to the Resistance by the BBC. The colors and finishes were chosen to evoke the determination and solidarity that marked this battle. Each watch is a meaningful piece, a reminder of the sacrifices made to preserve freedom.
“What I saw in Dunkirk was the greatness of a people who refuse to sink.”
— General Alan Brooke, British commander on the ground
Quartz precision, true to heritage.
Dunkirk 1940 offers unparalleled precision while respecting the legacy of this historic operation. Thanks to its quartz movement, it combines reliability and simplicity, symbolizing the efficiency and commitment of those who acted in the urgency of saving lives. Each numbered watch, a nod to the 338,226 lives saved, embodies the resilience and courage that made it possible to accomplish what seemed impossible. By wearing this timepiece, we are not simply measuring time; we are honoring a significant event that changed the course of history.
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