Don't miss the next drop
Every so often a watch turns up that makes you completely rethink what a brand was capable of, and this Wittnauer is absolutely one of those pieces. We talk a lot about Wittnauer’s Longines connection and their impeccable mid-century dress watches, but by the early 1970s, the brand was doing something entirely different. They were leaning hard into the bold, expressive design language of the era, and the results were, frankly, fantastic.
Wittnauer, as a subsidiary of the Longines-Wittnauer Watch Company, had access to Swiss-grade movements and serious manufacturing chops, but they also had something else: the freedom to experiment. While parent brand Longines maintained a more conservative image, Wittnauer was positioned to take creative risks for the American market. And during the late 1960s and 1970s, that’s exactly what they did. The tonneau and cushion case designs they produced during this period rival anything from the more celebrated brands of the era in terms of sheer visual impact.
This Ref. 3503 is a perfect case in point. The stainless steel cushion case is quintessentially 1970s, with its integrated lug design that flows seamlessly into the original brick-link bracelet, creating a single unified silhouette from clasp to crown. The brushed finishing on the case is angular and assertive, with faceted edges that catch the light in a way that gives the watch real architectural presence on the wrist. It’s a design that feels confident without being overbearing.
But let’s talk about what makes this particular example truly special: that dial. The deep, inky blue surface has developed the most extraordinary “spider web” craquelure across its entire face, a network of fine, organic lines spreading through the lacquer like frost on a windowpane. In our opinion, this is one of the most visually dramatic examples of natural dial aging you can encounter. What was once a pristine blue surface has transformed into something that looks like it belongs in a contemporary art gallery. The silver printed Arabic numerals, rendered in an elegant, slightly playful serif typeface, remain perfectly legible against the blue, and the vertically stacked day/date window at 6 o’clock adds a wonderful pop of color with its blue day text and red date numerals. The overall composition, silver on blue with those tricolor calendar accents, is wildly cool and unmistakably of its time.
Inside sits the automatic movement, signed “Wittnauer Watch Co Inc” on the brushed rotor, with a visible ruby jewel and the regulator markings that remind you there’s genuine Swiss engineering beneath all that style. The stainless steel case and bracelet show honest wear throughout, with surface scratching on the case back, bracelet links, and clasp consistent with a watch that was genuinely enjoyed. The bracelet retains its original form and the fold-over clasp operates cleanly.
For the collector looking for something with serious wrist presence, undeniable character, and a dial that will have people doing a double-take, this Wittnauer delivers in spades. It’s a watch that perfectly encapsulates the bold spirit of 1970s horology, backed by genuine Swiss quality, and finished off with the kind of organic patina that simply cannot be replicated. On its original bracelet, this is a complete, ready-to-wear package with a personality all its own.
