Can you tell me anything about this Wittnauer?

[Mauser]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3168/2738640843_2d2c568648.jpg?v=0

This is a recently inherited watch, formerly belonging to my grandfather. I'm just wondering if anyone can place the approximate year, model, etc.

It has a Baldwin "100% All Stainless Steel" band.

On the watch back, it says, "10K GF Bezel, Steel Back."

Amazingly, this old watch still winds and runs - how accurately remains to be seen.

Thanks

[Eeeb]

More information can be obtained by giving us a picture of the actual movement in the watch.

I would guess this watch is from the mid '30s to mid '40s. Wittneur was the low end brand for Longines. The movement is possibly Swiss encased in the US in order to get lower duties.

I would not keep winding the watch without it being cleaned and oiled. You can damage it by running it dirty or dry.

These were nice mid-range watches in their day.

[Ray MacDonald]

If the expansion band is original I'd place it in the 1940s at the earliest. Hard to tell. A picture of the movement would certainly help.
Thanks for posting.

[bjohnson]

From what I can figure out "Wittnauer was the low end brand for Longines" is not accurate.

There seems to be 2 Longines .. a Swiss manufacturer of Longines watches and a US based importer of Longines watches.

I think the US based Longine importer also imported Wittnauer watches.

I don't think the manufacturer had any connection with Wittnauer.

Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong.


In any event, Wittnauer is repected by collectors as making some fine watches. I consider them on par with Bulova.

This one I'd estimate as a 1950s model

[Mauser]

I'll try to get a picture of the movement.

Good advice re: not winding it unless it's cleaned and oiled. I plan on restoring this watch to some degree or other, at least getting it cleaned up a little. Any recommendations on where to do that?

Thanks for your responses.

Steve

[Mauser]

I pried the back off the watch, there was a little lip on the back which seemed to be there for this purpose. The back came off, unfortunately with it came the entire movement, face and hands. There appears to be some corrosion keeping the back attached to the movement. I'm not going to try too hard to get those pieces apart.

[Kingmatic]

".. Wittnauer and Co.(based in New York) acted as agent initially in USA and later in Canada , for such makers as Agassiz, Audemar Piguet, Longines and Angelus

In addition to (these) watches ... , (they) also offered pocket-watches, wristwatches and other timepieces under its own signature. These were made up in the company´s own Geneva workshops. "

Cited in the book of Wristwatches by Brunner and Pfeiffer-Belli

Saludos ;-)

[Ray MacDonald]

If you think it's rusted take it to a watchmaker for further service. You can find some suggested US watchmakers in our Links and Articles sub-forum.

[Eeeb]

".. Wittnauer and Co.(based in New York) acted as agent initially in USA and later in Canada , for such makers as Agassiz, Audemar Piguet, Longines and Angelus

In addition to (these) watches ... , (they) also offered pocket-watches, wristwatches and other timepieces under its own signature. These were made up in the company´s own Geneva workshops. "

Cited in the book of Wristwatches by Brunner and Pfeiffer-Belli

Saludos ;-)

Interesting. I remember most of their advertising being Longines-Wittaneur. (Yes, I am that old :-d ) I must have picked up the impression they were the same company from that.

[Ray MacDonald]

I believe Longines and Wittnauer did merge in the 1930s, and then separated again in 1994. Longines is a Swatch brand nowadays as everybody probably knows.
Wittnauer became part of Bulova and then the whole shootin' match was acquired by Citizen Holdings last year.
Wittnauer and Longines had different products though, even when they were joined together at the hip.

[jewelerman]

The white patterned dial,the style of numerals and markers,The pagoda shaped lugs, the square barrel shaped case, and the style of stretch band all are indications of a 1950s style watch...It probably had a leather strap on it originally and this replacement band was from an earlier date.The later bracelets had a "S"curve shape to them and then came the smooth straight link stretch bands we see today.

[craigkasmin]

I have a very similar-looking model that my dad got as his high school graduation gift, which would have been in the late 40's. There are similar looking models shown in the latest "Complete Price Guide to Watches" from Gilbert/Engle/Shugart that are also listed as late 40's to early 50's manufacture. The movement on mine also remains in back cover when I pop it off, but it comes out easily. A close look under the balance wheel shows the model as "cal. 43 II", but I haven't been able to get much further info on it. Nevertheless, it runs beautifully and looks great too. Enjoy it!