Why We Love It

Sometimes, you just want a no nonsense go anywhere watch.

Something you can go from the field to the dining room and not have to worry about adjusting your wardrobe. 

Part dress watch and part field watch this Wittnauer Gent's Automatic might just be the perfect choice. Its steel case is thin and elegant, its matte black dial uncluttered and legible, and the military-esque 24 hour outer track adds a rugged sensibility.

The simple truth is Wittnauer made robust, classic timepieces for decades. 

The fact that the brand is less recognizable today only serves to benefit those who are looking to either start or continue their watch collection with well made classics that won't break the bank. 

The Story

From the brand's inception in the 1880s, Wittnauer gained a reputation for their well built and well designed 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. 

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. Despite this, their watches remain, and stand as a testament to their ingenuity and elegance.

We've been touting Wittnauer for years, and for good reason. Their professional and dress models alike have become increasingly desirable as more and more collectors realize their inherent value.

They combine sturdy steel cases with distinctive dials and a history that's just as reputable as other horological heavy-hitters like Breitling, Omega, and Universal Genéve.