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There is a certain romance to the mid-century mechanical chronograph that is simply undeniable. In an era before digital everything, these were not just watches; they were sophisticated, wrist-mounted analog computers, essential tools for pilots, engineers, doctors, and racers. With their intricate, multi-scale dials and beautiful, complex movements, they represent, in our opinion, a true golden age of functional watchmaking. This stunning Wittnauer is a perfect and captivating example of that era.
Wittnauer, with its deep and storied connection to Longines, has a rich history of producing exceptionally high-quality timepieces. They consistently delivered top-tier Swiss mechanics and handsome, All-American design. For their chronographs, they often turned to the best specialists in the business, and beating at the heart of this watch is a legendary caliber: the Venus 188. Venus was one of the great movement manufactures of the 20th century, and the Cal. 188, introduced in the late 1940s, was a masterpiece of robust, reliable engineering. It utilized an innovative and durable cam-lever system that made high-performance chronographs accessible to a wider audience. This movement was so successful, in fact, that its design was eventually acquired by Valjoux and became the direct ancestor of the legendary Valjoux 7730 family—one of the most important chronograph ebauches of all time.
This particular Wittnauer from the 1950s is a stunning time capsule. The gorgeous silver dial has aged to a perfect, warm creamy hue and is a beautiful canvas for the intricate, multi-colored scales. The outer track features a tachymeter scale in a deep, vibrant blue, used for calculating speed over a fixed distance. Inside that, a telemeter scale in a rich red allows the wearer to measure the distance of an event based on sight and sound—think a lightning strike and the thunder that follows. These functional scales, combined with the classic two-register layout and applied gilt markers, make for a perfectly balanced and incredibly handsome wrist-instrument.
There is a certain romance to the mid-century mechanical chronograph that is simply undeniable. In an era before digital everything, these were not just watches; they were sophisticated, wrist-mounted analog computers, essential tools for pilots, engineers, doctors, and racers. With their intricate, multi-scale dials and beautiful, complex movements, they represent, in our opinion, a true golden age of functional watchmaking. This stunning Wittnauer is a perfect and captivating example of that era.
Wittnauer, with its deep and storied connection to Longines, has a rich history of producing exceptionally high-quality timepieces. They consistently delivered top-tier Swiss mechanics and handsome, All-American design. For their chronographs, they often turned to the best specialists in the business, and beating at the heart of this watch is a legendary caliber: the Venus 188. Venus was one of the great movement manufactures of the 20th century, and the Cal. 188, introduced in the late 1940s, was a masterpiece of robust, reliable engineering. It utilized an innovative and durable cam-lever system that made high-performance chronographs accessible to a wider audience. This movement was so successful, in fact, that its design was eventually acquired by Valjoux and became the direct ancestor of the legendary Valjoux 7730 family—one of the most important chronograph ebauches of all time.
This particular Wittnauer from the 1950s is a stunning time capsule. The gorgeous silver dial has aged to a perfect, warm creamy hue and is a beautiful canvas for the intricate, multi-colored scales. The outer track features a tachymeter scale in a deep, vibrant blue, used for calculating speed over a fixed distance. Inside that, a telemeter scale in a rich red allows the wearer to measure the distance of an event based on sight and sound. These functional scales, combined with the classic two-register layout and applied gilt markers, make for a perfectly balanced and incredibly handsome wrist-instrument.
