1970s Wittnauer Automatic Blue Dial 'Diver' on Bracelet 37mm

Here we have a rare classic ‘Japanese’ 1970s Wittnauer Automatic Blue Dial 'Diver' on a bracelet. Featuring a 37mm tonneau-shaped stainless steel case that flows over your wrist with an integrated bracelet. Its curved flanks lead to a lug-to-lug length of 46mm and a case thickness of 11.5mm. On the right side, a coin-edged crown. The friction-fit serrated-edged bezel features a recessed blue bakelite 60-minute scale. A domed crystal sits above a two-tone blue dial. A light blue wide minute track with applied baton indexes and Tritium pips marks the hours. At 3 o’clock, a Day/Date framed window. Steel baton hands tipped with Tritium are complemented by a tapered seconds hand. At noon, we have the Wittnauer motif, and at 6 o’clock, Automatic completes this striking sports watch. On the reverse, a screw-down case back, inside an automatic Wittnauer Signed Seiko Cal. 7009A, 17 jewels, beating at 21,600 beats per hour. Wittnauer used this reliable, cost-effective movement during the height of the Quartz crisis of the 1970s. It comes paired with its 27mm stainless steel H-link integrated bracelet, secured by a signed folding clasp; it will fit up to a 7.15-inch wrist.

This watch is sold as "Watch Only" and therefore comes with no original Wittnauer box or paperwork. It comes paired with its 27mm stainless steel H-link integrated bracelet, secured by a signed folding clasp; it will fit up to a 7.15-inch wrist. The watch is from Circa. 1970s, and is sold in worn vintage condition; overall, it is in fair condition, as you can see. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

A Japanese Wittanuer? That is exactly what this unusual and striking 1970s Wittnauer is with its wonderful blue dial and matching blue bakelite bezel, paired on an integrated Wittnauer signed bracelet and coming in a sizeable 37mm case. Powered by an automatic Wittnauer signed Seiko calibre 7009A and a case made in Hong Kong, as signed "Wittnauer Watch Co. British Crown Colony Hong Kong" inside. An unusual but super interesting watch, and a bargain in the world of vintage watches. I would not hesitate to add this to your collection today!

Reference : 1000-W100
Movement : Automatic Wittnauer Signed Seiko Cal. 7009A
Age : Circa. 1970s
Year : Circa. 1970s
Case Size : 37mm
Case Thickness : 11.5mm
Lug to Lug : 46mm
Lugs : 27mm (Integrated)
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box and Papers : None
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
The wrist model's wrist size is 7inch

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 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, which 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. Composite Resources LLC outbid Movado and Bulova to buy 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, and it was then that Bulova bought them for $11.6 million. Bulova launched the “Nightlife” range of fashion watches under the Wittnauer brand.