This is a beautiful example of a mid-century Wittnauer rectangular/tonneau dress watch, combining a wonderfully compact case with a striking glossy black dial. The proportions and Art Deco-inspired details give it an elegant character that feels distinctly different from the larger, more utilitarian watches that followed.
At 27.9mm wide, 36.4mm lug-to-lug and approximately 10.1mm thick, it has the classic compact dimensions of a mid-century gentlemen's dress watch. The heavily domed acrylic crystal adds depth to the profile, while the stylized flared lugs give the case considerably more visual presence than its modest dimensions suggest.
The glossy black dial is the real highlight. Applied gold-tone Art Deco numerals appear at 12, 3 and 9, complemented by dagger-style markers around the remaining hours. At 6 o'clock, the small-seconds register features a delicate crosshair design, creating a wonderfully balanced and symmetrical dial.
Inside is Wittnauer's 17-jewel Calibre 11BG2, based on the A. Schild AS 1201 movement platform. The Swiss manual-winding movement operates at approximately 18,000 vibrations per hour and is marked with the AXA import code associated with Wittnauer Watch Co. Inc., reflecting the company's role in bringing Swiss movements into the American market.
The caseback is marked 2488-11B, with serial number 4229132, while the exterior is stamped 10K RGP Bezel / Stainless Steel Back. The rolled-gold-plate construction provided a durable gold finish while the stainless steel back offered additional resistance to everyday wear.
Wittnauer occupies an important place in North American watch history, particularly through its long relationship with Swiss watchmaking and its later association with Longines. Watches such as this demonstrate how the company combined Swiss mechanical engineering with distinctly American-market case and dial designs.
With its black Art Deco dial, gold detailing, tonneau case, small seconds and Swiss 17-jewel movement, this is a particularly elegant vintage Wittnauer and a wonderful example of the refined dress watches produced during the golden age of mechanical watchmaking.
This is a beautiful example of a mid-century Wittnauer rectangular/tonneau dress watch, combining a wonderfully compact case with a striking glossy black dial. The proportions and Art Deco-inspired details give it an elegant character that feels distinctly different from the larger, more utilitarian watches that followed.
At 27.9mm wide, 36.4mm lug-to-lug and approximately 10.1mm thick, it has the classic compact dimensions of a mid-century gentlemen's dress watch. The heavily domed acrylic crystal adds depth to the profile, while the stylized flared lugs give the case considerably more visual presence than its modest dimensions suggest.
The glossy black dial is the real highlight. Applied gold-tone Art Deco numerals appear at 12, 3 and 9, complemented by dagger-style markers around the remaining hours. At 6 o'clock, the small-seconds register features a delicate crosshair design, creating a wonderfully balanced and symmetrical dial.
Inside is Wittnauer's 17-jewel Calibre 11BG2, based on the A. Schild AS 1201 movement platform. The Swiss manual-winding movement operates at approximately 18,000 vibrations per hour and is marked with the AXA import code associated with Wittnauer Watch Co. Inc., reflecting the company's role in bringing Swiss movements into the American market.
The caseback is marked 2488-11B, with serial number 4229132, while the exterior is stamped 10K RGP Bezel / Stainless Steel Back. The rolled-gold-plate construction provided a durable gold finish while the stainless steel back offered additional resistance to everyday wear.
Wittnauer occupies an important place in North American watch history, particularly through its long relationship with Swiss watchmaking and its later association with Longines. Watches such as this demonstrate how the company combined Swiss mechanical engineering with distinctly American-market case and dial designs.
With its black Art Deco dial, gold detailing, tonneau case, small seconds and Swiss 17-jewel movement, this is a particularly elegant vintage Wittnauer and a wonderful example of the refined dress watches produced during the golden age of mechanical watchmaking.