1940s Wittnauer Dress Watch 14K YG "24hr Dial"

While Wittnauer certainly isn’t one of the commonly known watch brands, it certainly has the history to rival just about any other out there. Founded in 1885 in New York by Swiss immigrant Albert Wittnauer, the eponymous company set out to craft timepieces designed for exploration and adventure, especially in aviation and sea navigation. In fact, Neil Armstrong wore a Wittnauer for the Gemini 8 mission.

In addition to those purpose-built pieces, the brand also crafted some incredibly beautiful dress watches, like this 14k gold number from the 1940s. Featuring a stout, gender-neutral 29mm case with thick lugs and an aged silver 24-hour dial with Arabic numerals, this one strikes a fantastic balance between dressy and sporty, and would look equally appropriate in just about any situation.

SPECS

Stock #		WITTYGDW
Brand		Wittnauer
Style		Dress Watch
Model		N/A
Serial		56XXXX
Size		Men's
Material		14K Yellow Gold
Dial		Silver
Millimeters		29
Strap		2pc Canvas Strap

CASE & BRACELET

The impressive 14K yellow gold case measures a modest 29mm in diameter but the large lugs extend out to give the watch more wrist presence than the measurements would imply. The case itself exhibits evidence of minimal polishing in the past with the original dimensions remaining present while displaying gentle signs of use. The oversized unsigned crown is likely an early replacement but era and style appropriate. The case back is incredibly clean with just a few marks from wear. The watch comes supplied on a two-piece canvas strap with a gold plaque hardware.

DIAL & HANDS

The aged silver dial is in exceptionally well-preserved vintage condition, featuring a handsome warm patina throughout and only minor marks from age. The lume-filled Arabic numeral hour markers have aged to a dark grey patina with some of the lume lost from the 5 o'clock marker. The syringe-style hands are original to the watch, however, the lume appears to have been previously restored in the past.