Wittnauer Geneve Manual Wind Date & Sunburst Dial

Wittnauer’s story began as the official U.S. agent for some of Switzerland’s most prestigious brands, including Longines. The partnership was so successful that the two companies formally merged into the Longines-Wittnauer Watch Company, a powerhouse that dominated the American market for much of the 20th century. During this golden era, Wittnauer watches were produced with the direct oversight and quality control of Longines, offering a superb Swiss-made product with a distinctively American sensibility, often at a more accessible price point than their Longines-branded cousins.

This particular manual-winding dress watch from the 1960s is a fantastic example of what the brand did so well. The silver sunburst dial is executed with a level of detail and refinement that is truly impressive. It features a handsome combination of applied, stylized Arabic numerals and faceted baton markers. But the most charming detail is the minute track, which is composed of tiny, individual applied gilt dots—a subtle flourish of quality that you don’t often see. This is all brought together with a sharp set of dauphine hands and a neatly framed date window at 3 o’clock, adding a touch of everyday practicality.