1950s Wittnauer 6002/5 Chronograph Valjoux 72
Ref: 6002/5

Points of Mention

This watch is sold as "Watch Only" and therefore comes with no original Wittnauer box or paperwork. The watch comes paired with a well-suited leather strap. The watch is from Circa. 1950s and is sold in worn, vintage condition and signs of wear and age can be seen throughout. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

The Watch

In 1872 at just sixteen years old, Albert Wittnauer moved from Switzerland to New York to work for his brother-in-law, Eugene Roberts. Eugene ran a watch importing business that was focused on high-end pieces such as Vacheron & Constantin and Jaeger LeCoultre. Albert had a vision of creating his own watch brand that would suit the American market: his idea was to create an affordable Swiss watch that was still of high quality but at a lower price. In 1880 the first Wittnauer watches were being made. In that same year, F. Eugene Roberts & Co became the exclusive seller for Longines in America, this partnership would last nearly 125 years. In 1890 Eugene honoured Albert by naming his new venture "A. Wittnauer Company". The business was an instant success and attracted watchmakers from around the world to join them such as Ferdinand Haschka who became the head watchmaker for Tiffany & Co and Charles Johns who created a perpetual calendar chronometer that was shown to the world at the 1939 World's fair. Sadly by 1916, the brothers had passed away and the company was left to their sister Martha. She became the first woman C.E.O of a watch company in America. She had no prior experience but still led the company for 20 years. 

In 1936 A. Wittnauer was sold to Hella Deltah, who was a pearl manufacturer. Building upon the long partnership and history with Longines, the company was renamed Longines-Wittnauer. In 1994 Longines-Wittnauer was bought by SMH who later became the Swatch Group. SMH soon took over the distribution of Longines in the  US, and the 125-year association with Wittnauer was over. Renamed Wittnauer International Inc., they now refocused to build upon the Wittnauer name. Two years later Composite Resources LLC outbid Movado and Bulova to purchase Wittnauer for $28 million. This was not to last as in the first year the company made a loss of $5 million. In just 4 years the company had trade debts of over $24 million, it was then that Bulova bought them for $11.6 million. Bulova launched the “Nightlife” range of fashion watches under the Wittnauer brand.

Here we have a stunning 1950s Wittnauer 6002/5 Chronograph Valjoux 72 with a 36mm stainless steel case. Finely tapered lugs with a lug to lug length of 44mm and a thickness of 13mm ensures a comfortable fit on your wrist. Down the right side, two short chronograph pushers and a signed large crown in the center. A thin bezel holds a domed crystal above an egg-shell dial. An outer Tachymeter in blueprint and a Telemetric scale in red print next to the 60-minute track numerals. Arabic numeral indices have pillows of Radium coating them marking the hours. At 3 o’clock a 30-minute register, at 6 o’clock a 12-hour register and finally at 9 o’clock small seconds register. Elegant dauphine hands with Radium infill are complemented by a tapered chronograph hand. Text is minimalist with Wittnauer at 12 o’clock in black ink. On the reverse, a screw-down case back. Inside a Manually Wound Valjoux 72, 17 jewels, 18,000 beats per hour. First introduced in 1938 this column wheel movement was made more robust than earlier Valjoux like the 22. The watch comes fitted on an 18mm leather strap.

Personal Note