1960s Wittnauer Automatic 3003 on JB Champion Bracelet
Ref: 3003

1960s Wittnauer Automatic 3003 on JB Champion Bracelet
1960s Wittnauer Automatic 3003 on JB Champion Bracelet
1960s Wittnauer Automatic 3003 on JB Champion Bracelet
1960s Wittnauer Automatic 3003 on JB Champion Bracelet
1960s Wittnauer Automatic 3003 on JB Champion Bracelet
1960s Wittnauer Automatic 3003 on JB Champion Bracelet
1960s Wittnauer Automatic 3003 on JB Champion Bracelet
1960s Wittnauer Automatic 3003 on JB Champion Bracelet
1960s Wittnauer Automatic 3003 on JB Champion Bracelet
1960s Wittnauer Automatic 3003 on JB Champion Bracelet
1960s Wittnauer Automatic 3003 on JB Champion Bracelet
1960s Wittnauer Automatic 3003 on JB Champion Bracelet
Regular price
Sold
Sale price
£275.00
Unit price
per 

Specification

Reference : 3003
Movement : Automatic Wittnauer C11SR (AS 1701)
Age : 1961/1970
Specific Age : Circa. 1960s
Case Size : 33mm
Case Thickness : 9mm
Lug to Lug : 35.5mm
Lugs :
 18mm
Condition :
 Pre-Owned
Box & Papers :
 None
Case Material :
 Stainless Steel
Warranty :
 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty

Points of Mention

This watch is sold as "Watch Only" and therefore comes with no original Wittnauer box or paperwork. The watch comes paired on its 18mm stainless steel JB Champion Presto-Flex strap. The watch is from Circa. 1960s and is sold in worn, vintage condition, but overall good condition as you can see. 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 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 in 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 1960s Wittnauer 3003 with a 33mm stainless steel case. The case curves over your wrist ending with thick chamfer-edged lugs. A lug to lug length of 35.5mm and a case thickness of 9mm ensures a comfortable fit on your wrist. On the right side, is a signed recessed crown. The wide polished stainless steel bezel holds a domed crystal. The sunburst silver dial has applied steel chamfer-edged batons that catch the light as you rotate your wrist. Elegant thin sword hands complemented by a tapered second hand complete this minimalist dress watch. At 12 o’clock an applied Wittnauer motif and finally at 6 o’clock “Automatic”. On the reverse a screw-down case back. Inside an Automatic Wittnauer C11SR (AS 1701), 17 jewels, 18,000 beats per hour. The watch is fitted on its original 18mm stainless steel JB Champion Presto-Flex strap. Jacoby-Bender, a New York company in about 1963, purchased Forstner, which continued the innovative "Komfit" style, but re-branded it the "JB-Champion." The JB Champion version of the "Komfit" band was subsequently fitted on Astronauts Omega Speedmasters during many of their space missions.


Personal Note

A super simple yet incredibly charming and affordable vintage watch by a watch brand that is often overlooked and definitely not given the respect it deserves in the watch world, Wittnauer is a brand to research and you'll be able to find amazing examples for very good prices. I do wonder if that will change as people become educated on vintage watches and brands, I suspect so.