Wittnauer Professional Chronograph

The story of the A. Wittnauer Company--and the man who founded it--is so inspirational that it could, nay should, be a film by Ron Howard.

Albert Wittnauer immigrated to New York City in the 1870s, a lad of sixteen with ambitions as wide as the Atlantic. He came to work for his brother-in-law, Eugene Robert, an importer of fine Swiss timepieces from brands such as Jaeger LeCoultre and Vacheron Constantin. His experiences working for his brother-in-law inspired him to make watches of his own, with the reliability and craftsmanship of Swiss watches at a lower price point to appease the thrifty American public. He established the A. Wittnauer Company in 1885, at the age of only thirty-one.

Around that time, Wittnauer became the distributor for Longines watches in the United States, and would begin producing Wittnauer-branded cases that housed Longines movements. Through the collaboration with Longines, Wittnauer gained a reputation for their excellent aviation instruments and chronographs. Amelia Earhart piloted her planes with instruments made by Wittnauer, and daredevil aviator Jimmy Mattern wore a Wittnauer AllProof in his aborted flight around the world in 1933. 

Longines formally bought Wittnauer in the 1950s, and the brand continued to produce exceptional chronographs at a more competitive price point than their Swiss contemporaries. But, like so many watch brands, Wittnauer folded in the face of budget crises in the mid-1980s, causing Longines to dissolve their relationship with Wittnauer. Their watches remain, a testament to their ingenuity and elegance.

Dating from the 1960s, this Reference 7004A Chronograph was marketed by Longines-Wittnauer as a professional-grade timepiece and fitted with the redoubtable Landeron 248 manual winding movement. The matte black dial features twin subsidiary registers (sweep seconds at 9 o'clock, and a 30 minute-counter at 3 o'clock with the 5 minutes countdown in red). The rotating outer bezel has aged over the years to a lovely mulberry hue. 

The reference 7004A has everything you could want in a vintage chronograph. It captures the look of the classic 1960s chronographs like the Heuer Autavia, but without the price tag that usually comes with an Autavia. With great colors, a terrific movement and a perfectly-sized steel case, you'd be hard-pressed to find a cooler vintage chronograph for the money.

From its inception in the 1880s, Wittnauer gained a reputation for its excellent complicated watches. Aviators like Amelia Earhart piloted their planes with instruments made by Wittnauer. Daredevil aviator Jimmy Mattern wore a Wittnauer AllProof in his attempted flight around the world in 1933. During the Second World War, the firm produced compasses for the U.S. military. And for decades, Wittnauer was inextricably tied with Longines — indeed, many of both brands’ wares from the mid-20th century are signed “Longines-Wittnauer Watch Co.”
In the 1950s and ‘60s, the brand produced exceptional chronographs at a more competitive price point than its Swiss contemporaries. Products such as the reference 3256, which used the affordable Venus caliber 188, are today relatively plentiful, and handsome to boot. Slightly more high-end pieces such as the reference 7004A featured unique elements like thick sword hands, a lollipop seconds hand, and a red count-up bezel. And the 242T Professional is well known to fans of the Space Race — supposedly submitted for trials in the 1960s against the likes of the Rolex Daytona and others, it may have very nearly beat out the Speedmaster to the Moon.
But like so many watch brands, Wittnauer folded in the face of budget crises in the mid-1980s, causing Longines to dissolve its relationship with the company. Despite this, vintage Wittnauer watches remain a testament to the company’s ingenuity and elegance, while some of their more unique pieces — like the Wittnauer 2000 mechanical calendar watch and their Super Compressor dive watch — can be had at relatively affordable prices.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a two-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.