Don't miss the next drop
Wittnauer is one of those names that serious collectors keep coming back to, and for good reason. A subsidiary of the Longines-Wittnauer Watch Company, the brand had direct access to some of the finest Swiss movements and cases throughout the mid-twentieth century, yet retailed at prices that put genuinely excellent horology within reach of working professionals. Their chronographs from the late 1960s and 1970s, in particular, represent some of the best design work of the era, and the Professional Chrono-Date is arguably the crown jewel of the lineup.
The Reference 8031 arrived during a golden age for chronograph design. By the late 1960s and into the early 1970s, the horological world was in the midst of an aesthetic revolution. Bold colors, oversized cases, and tonneau shapes were the order of the day, and Wittnauer leaned in with conviction. The Professional Chrono-Date married a robust, angular cushion case to a beautifully legible dial layout, all powered by the workhorse Valjoux 7734 manual-wind chronograph caliber. The 7734 is a movement beloved by collectors and watchmakers alike for its simplicity, reliability, and ease of service. It’s the kind of no-nonsense caliber that just keeps ticking, and finding one signed “Wittnauer Watch Co. Inc.” on the bridge, as this example is, is a lovely touch of provenance.
This particular example is a stunner. The blue reverse panda dial is, in our opinion, one of the most attractive color combinations Wittnauer ever produced. The deep matte blue field provides a gorgeous canvas for the two crisp white subsidiary registers at 3 and 9 o’clock, each with fine concentric circular graining that catches the light beautifully. The applied rectangular baton hour markers, filled with tritium, have aged to a wonderfully warm, creamy golden hue that plays against the blue in a way that feels almost intentional. A vivid red chronograph seconds hand sweeps across the dial, echoed by the red date numerals peeking through the aperture at 6 o’clock. It’s a dial that manages to be both purposeful and deeply charismatic. The “T SWISS T” designation at the bottom confirms the tritium luminous material, and the printing throughout is clean and well-preserved.
The stainless steel cushion case, reference 8031, is in fantastic shape. The brushed finishing on the top surfaces remains crisp and well-defined, and the angular lugs retain their sharp chamfers. There’s honest wear consistent with a watch that’s been enjoyed over the decades, a few light marks on the caseback and some minor scratches to the case sides, but nothing that detracts from the overall presentation. The round pushers have a satisfying tactile click, and the crown operates smoothly. It’s the kind of case condition that tells you this watch was cared for, not neglected.
To us, this is one of the most compelling vintage chronographs you can find at this level. It has the wrist presence and the visual punch of watches costing many times more, backed by a genuinely excellent and fully serviceable Swiss chronograph movement. The blue reverse panda dial gives it a personality that’s impossible to ignore, whether you’re wearing it with a weekend jacket or pairing it with jeans and a tee. For the collector who appreciates thoughtful design, honest provenance, and a watch that doesn’t need a famous name on the dial to command attention, the Wittnauer Professional Chrono-Date 8031 is a wildly cool proposition.
