{"product_id":"wittnauer-professional-chronograph-panda-as04474","title":"Wittnauer Professional Chronograph \"Panda\"","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhy We Love It\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the 1960s and 70s sporty chronographs were all the rage. \u003c\/span\u003eThe popularity of motorsports and sailing regattas meant that watch manufactures were churning out sporty chronographs, many of which followed the templates set by the Omega Speedmaster\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eor Heuer Carrera, with large, sturdy steel cases and streamlined dials.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAs the decade wore on, many other brands capitalized on the success of these watches by releasing versions of their own, capturing the spirit of 1960s design with a unique flair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThough an old brand with a long-established lineage in aviation, it was during this period that Wittnauer truly flourished.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eWhat we're offering here is a Reference 8024-242T - a unique take on the classic matte black dialed 242T. With its \"panda\" color scheme combined with pops of red accents throughout, this is a VERY special and equally rare watch. It features a sturdy, yet comfortable 38mm case with \u003cem\u003ebarrel\u003c\/em\u003e pushers, the venerable Valjoux-72 hand-cranking movement, a fantastic \u003cem\u003ecigarette\u003c\/em\u003e handset, and even a caseback engraving that reads: \"Keith F. Scott - In Honor Of Distinguished Service.\" This watch is a real knockout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eWe have no idea who Keith F. Scott might have been, but he must have been quite the person to deserve it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eFrankly, we’re kind of jealous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Story\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom the brand's inception in the 1880s, Wittnauer gained a reputation for their excellent complicated watches. Aviators like Amelia Earhart piloted their planes with instruments made by Wittnauer. Daredevil aviator Jimmy Mattern wore a \u003c\/span\u003eWittnauer AllProof\u003cspan\u003e in his attempted flight around the world in 1933. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLongines 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\u003c\/span\u003e 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. Despite this, their watches remain, and stand as a testament to their ingenuity and elegance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe've been touting Wittnauer chronographs for years, and for good reason. Their Professional line, in particular, has become increasingly desirable as more and more collectors realize their inherent value.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey combine sturdy steel cases with distinctive dials and a history that's just as reputable as other horological heavy-hitters like Breitling, Omega, and \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUniversal Genéve. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wittnauer","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39373598195799,"sku":"40990194","price":8950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0809\/1255\/products\/AS04474_40990194_WITTNAUER_PROFESSIONALCHRONOGRAPH_PANDA__8024-242T-6.jpg?v=1629216546","url":"https:\/\/www.analogshift.com\/products\/wittnauer-professional-chronograph-panda-as04474","provider":"Analog:Shift","version":"1.0","type":"link"}