Wittnauer All-Proof

Wittnauer's contributions in the field of aviation are nothing to overlook.

From the brand's earliest days as American distributor for Longines, Wittnauer was making cockpit instruments and navigational devices. In the late 1910s, after the death of Albert Wittnauer, his sister Martha took over the company; and under her leadership, during the First World War, the brand supplied wristwatches to the predecessor of the U.S. Army Air Corps.

These watches were waterproof, shock-proof, dust-proof, and anti-magnetic. Further developments in the following decade would lead to the launch of the branded All-Proof model in 1928. Though the case (28mm) is small to the modern eye, it's tough, and attracted the attention of aviators and explorers. 

Perhaps the most notable owner of the All-Proof was daredevil aviator Jimmie Mattern. Mattern twice attempted to circumnavigate the world by airplane, intending to break the world record set by Wiley Post and Harold Gatty, once in 1932 and the second time in 1933. Of that second solo flight in 1933 (when he crash-landed in Siberia, abandoned his airplane, Century of Progress, and was later rescued by Eskimos) Mattern wrote:

"It gives me great pleasure to advise you that my Wittnauer All-Proof Watch was my only constant companion on my ’round the world solo flight, and it survived all hardships. It is a crashproof timepiece par excellence. After my ’plane crashed and I had to wade and swim in some of the rivers it proved absolutely waterproof. It kept up a true performance when I was lost to civilization for many days. It was a sensation with the Eskimos…who considered it something super-natural. It personifies mechanical perfection heretofore unknown to me, and when I reached New York it was correct to the minute. I banged it all around. It was dropped on concrete a number of times – still it keeps ticking away. I should not have believed that such a watch could be built, but my experience has shown me that too much cannot be said about this wonderful All-Proof timepiece which I recommend for hard usage."

An interesting footnote: Mattern continued to fly throughout the 1930s and 40s (as a test pilot for Lockheed Martin, particularly in the development of their P-38 Lightning), but retired from flying when he was diagnosed with ruptured blood vessels in the brain in 1946. Yet he continued to be involved in aviation circles, especially the burgeoning space program--the astronauts, many of them pilots, admired Mattern for his adventurous spirit and contributions to world of aviation. Neil Armstrong wore Mattern's own All-Proof in the Gemini 8 mission, and Mattern's pilot's license was carried aboard the lunar module in Apollo 11. 

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.

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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 one-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.