Wittnauer Professional Chronograph

Why We Love It We’ve carried numerous vintage Wittnauer timepieces before, but have never before offered one in such amazing condition! What we have here is a Reference 228T Professional Chronograph that dates to the 1960s that remains in nearly-NOS (New Old Stock) condition. The case and dial remain absolutely pristine and untouched, with only the faintest signs of wear from careful handling - an absolute time capsule! Featuring a 35mm stainless case and silver dial with applied indices and colorful printed scales, this chronograph is powered by a Calibre 14W manual wind movement with chronograph operation controlled by a pair of barrel pushers. A domed acrylic crystal and blued steel chronograph and subsidiary seconds hands round out a perfect package for the vintage enthusiast seeking something extraordinary! Wittnauer chronographs are some of our favorite vintage designs, and its a true rarity to uncover them in such amazing condition! The Wittnauer Story The story of the A. Wittnauer Company--and the man who founded it--is so inspirational that it would make a great 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 by brands such as Jaeger LeCoultre and Vacheron et 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 often house Longines movements in Wittnauer-branded cases. Together with Longines, Wittnauer gained a reputation for their excellent aviation instruments and chronographs. Aviators such as Amelia Earhart piloted their 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.