Don't miss the next drop
Let’s be honest, round watches are safe. The real fun, in our opinion, is found in the wild, sculptural, and unapologetically stylish designs of the 1950s. This was an era when watch brands, especially those catering to the confident American market, threw caution to the wind. This Wittnauer is a perfect, gleaming example.
As the U.S. partner to the legendary Longines, Wittnauer had access to phenomenal quality and engineering. But where Longines often projected a more conservative, European elegance, Wittnauer had its finger firmly on the pulse of American style. They were masters of the “cocktail cuff” watch, a timepiece designed to be seen, to start a conversation.
This particular example, the Reference 2025, is pure, unadulterated Art Deco revival. The 10k gold-filled case isn’t just a simple rectangle; it’s a flared, asymmetrical, sculptural piece of architecture. The faceted lugs are sharp and bold, creating a presence on the wrist that is just fantastic. The engine inside is the Wittnauer Caliber 9E, a high-quality, 17-jewel manual-wind form movement, specifically shaped to fit this rectangular case.
And the dial is just as dramatic. It’s not a flat, boring silver. It’s a stunning “starburst” finish, with an intricate, machine-turned guilloché pattern that explodes from the center. This texture, combined with the delicate cross-hair subsidiary seconds register, gives the watch a visual depth that is absolutely mesmerizing.
