Why We Love It
Valjoux 72. In a perfectly proportioned case with one of the best looking dials of the era. What more do we really need to say?
Wittnauer is lesser known to collectors than its contemporaries and-- in our opinion-- is all the better for it. The solid full-sized 38mm steel case construction the Reference 8024-242T has all of the 'tool watch' appeal of better-known watches from the same era, such as the all-powerful Omega Speedmaster, with which the Wittnauer Professional once competed for a certain high-profile US Government Agency job!
And we've even heard it suggested that the dial layout - from its crisp printing, radial chapter ring, and recessed subsidiary registers with glossy edging - surpasses even the mighty Moonwatch in the looks department. Throw in the perfect case proportions and the lollipop chronograph hand and we'd have a hard time arguing against that!
So while the 8024 may never have made it to the moon, it has become a darling of the collector community, and with the Valjoux 72 manually-winding chronograph movement beating away inside, they are also robust and reliable tools for everyday wear.
We've had a handful of these special chronographs come through in years past, but this particular example has a rich, chocolatey dial and deeply patinated lume that really makes it a standout.
The Story
From the brand's inception in the 1880s, Wittnauer gained a reputation for their excellent complicated watches. Aviators like Amelia Earhart piloted their planes with instruments made by Wittnauer. Daredevil aviator Jimmy Mattern wore a Wittnauer AllProof in his attempted flight around the world in 1933.
Longines formally bought Wittnauer in the 1950s, and the brand continued to produce exceptional chronographs at a more competitive price point than their Swiss contemporaries. But like so many watch brands, Wittnauer folded in the face of budget crises in the mid-1980s, causing Longines to dissolve their relationship with Wittnauer. Despite this, their watches remain, and stand as a testament to their ingenuity and elegance.
We've been touting Wittnauer chronographs for years, and for good reason. Their Professional line, in particular, has become increasingly desirable as more and more collectors realize their inherent value.
They combine sturdy steel cases with distinctive dials and a history that's just as reputable as other horological heavy-hitters like Breitling, Omega, and Universal Genéve.
