By Brent Robillard
Wartime DNA and Patina
The Tuul Filthy 13 comes in four iterations, two of which are rendered in bronze. The example I had in for review was the black dial bronze variant, and it didn’t take long to understand exactly what Tuul was aiming for here.
The moment you open the rugged, tactical-style carrying case, what strikes you first is simplicity and balance. Its wartime DNA is immediately evident. Like a flieger, a field watch inspired by the original Dirty Dozen—those watches produced under strict British Ministry of Defence guidelines during WWII—has to operate within very narrow parameters. The canvas is limited. Creativity must live inside constraint.
Tuul, I think, has done a remarkable job navigating those boundaries. Of the twelve original Dirty Dozen manufacturers, this interpretation lands closest—at least to my eye—to Lemania or a vintage Vertex. That’s high praise, but it feels earned. Everything here looks purposeful, restrained, and historically aware without descending into costume.
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Even the name Filthy 13 is a clever insertion into the narrative. Constructed in equal parts myth and truth, it references the real-life WWII demolition unit that inspired the later 1967 film The Dirty Dozen—a group of thirteen paratroopers known for their grit, disregard for convention, and effectiveness behind enemy lines. It’s a characterful twist, and one that gives Tuul room to establish its own identity within a well-trodden genre.
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Key Features of the Tuul Filthy 13 Bronze
Bronze Done Right
The build and finishing are excellent. I’m a big fan of CuSn8 bronze, and the uniform matte bead-blasted finish here is especially well executed. It somehow elevates the tool-watch aesthetic without sacrificing any utilitarian purpose. The texture is subtle, the tone warm but restrained, and I can already imagine how the case would evolve with wear—each scratch and darkened edge becoming a record of use rather than abuse.
Machining throughout is crisp, and the step-bezel construction adds just enough dimensionality to an otherwise purely functional case. Drilled lugs feel not only appropriate but essential on a watch like this, and I’m glad Tuul didn’t overlook that detail.
The Filthy 13 ships on a robust, quilted NATO strap—one that I genuinely like—but I know myself well enough to admit I’d immediately start hunting for alternatives. Bronze hardware straps would be high on my list, with sailcloth and rubber sitting right near the top. That’s not a knock on the stock option; it’s more a testament to how versatile this watch feels.
And then there’s the caseback. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I absolutely love the look of a blasted stainless steel caseback against the warmth of bronze. It works beautifully here. The solid caseback features a deeply embossed Tuul logo at center, with specifications engraved around the perimeter. No exhibition window—just solid, purposeful design. Exactly as it should be.
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Proportions and Presence
Dimensionally, Tuul nailed it. The 38mm diameter will suit most wrists effortlessly, but the oversized 7mm screw-down crown adds enough presence that the watch never feels small. At 46mm lug to lug and just 11.25mm thick, the Filthy 13 wears exceptionally well—even on a bulky NATO. It’s not a watch that disappears completely on wrist, but you also won’t be rapping it off doorknobs and table edges.
That crown deserves special mention. Its deep grooves make it easy to grip, and its screw-down function helps seal the case to 100 meters of water resistance—plenty for a watch meant to handle real-world use.
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Dial Execution and Details
The dial leans heavily into period-correct design cues, starting with the railroad minute track, bold Arabic numerals, and a recessed sub-seconds register at six o’clock. The font feels era-appropriate but remains bold, legible, and refreshingly clean.
There may have been a temptation here to go all-in on fauxtina. Thankfully, Tuul resisted. While there’s a touch of warmth in the outer minute track lume plots, the dial overall stays crisp and modern in appearance. It’s a thoughtful balance, and one I appreciate.
Hand choice is always subjective, but I think the pencil-style hands were the right call. Sword or cathedral hands would have been historically valid (or syringe, for that matter) but these feel cleaner and better aligned with the overall design language. That may well be personal bias on my part, but visually, they just work.
Lume performance is decent. It lights up brightly at first, as you’d expect with Swiss Super-LumiNova, but I did notice significant fade overnight. By around five in the morning, it wasn’t legible on my bedside table. Not a dealbreaker, but worth noting for those who prioritize all-night visibility.
Under the Hood
Powering the Filthy 13 is the Sellita SW261-1, a reliable Swiss automatic movement with a sub-seconds configuration, 41 hours of power reserve, 31 jewels, and a frequency of 28,800 vph. It’s a proven workhorse and a sensible choice for a watch that positions itself as a modern tool with historical roots.
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Specs
| Case | CuSn8 Bronze 38mm Diameter 46mm Lug to Lug 11.25mm Thickness 20mm Lug Width Screw Down Caseback & Crown 100m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Sapphire Crystal Matte Black Dial Printed Markers Pencil Handset Small Seconds Super-LumiNova |
| Movement | Sellita SW261-1 31 Jewels 28 8000vph 41-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | Black Quilted Fabric NATO |
Tuul Filthy 13 Bronze
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Branding That Works
I also have to say: Tuul absolutely nailed its brand name and logo. Both contribute meaningfully to the overall sense of balance that defines this watch and ethos. The logo is graphically strong and evocative—suggesting propellers, wings, or even a turbine. It appears beneath 12 o’clock on the dial, on the crown, and is embossed on the caseback, always present but never intrusive.
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Final Thoughts & Pricing
There’s no shortage of Dirty Dozen–inspired watches on the market right now. On one end, you have highly affordable options like Praesidus. Step up a bit, and you’ll find brands like Draken. And then there are Timor and Vertex—two of the original Dirty Dozen manufacturers—still producing modern interpretations, albeit at a higher point of entry.
Tuul slots neatly between those extremes. At approximately $1,500 CAD (or $1,099.99 USD) for the bronze edition, the Filthy 13 feels not only justified, but arguably a value proposition when you consider the materials, finishing, movement, and overall execution.
Built on reliability, functionality, and durability—much like its namesake—the Filthy 13 Bronze will certainly keep time. But it will also very likely withstand time’s test. Grit, grime, and all.
And that’s ultimately what you want.
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About the Author
Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.
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