Wittnauer 239T Reference 7004A Steel Chronograph, 1970s — view 1 of 6 — View 1 of 6 · Image: Bulang & Sons · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

View 1 of 6 · Image: Bulang & Sons · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Wittnauer 239T Reference 7004A Steel Chronograph, 1970s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.

Maker / attribution: Wittnauer (maker)
Date: 1970s
Historical period: Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Country of origin: Unrecorded in source
Object type: Wristwatch
Materials / technique: steel
Dimensions: Case 40 mm
Dealer: Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen
Stock no.: W-905
Credit line: Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-905)
Catalogue title (original): Wittnauer 239T Reference 7004A Steel Chronograph (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-905), this is a wristwatch by Wittnauer, dated 1970s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: steel. Recorded dimensions: Case 40 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Bulang & Sons

The red bezel chrono for racing on land or sea… This is a great sized chrono with a funky twist in the red bezel. The 40mm steel case is in superb condition and the red rotating bezel can be used to measure elapsed time or could be used to monitor a second time zone. The black dial is in near perfect condition, with crisp white text that includes a tachymeter scale on the perimeter. Additionally, the minute counter has a red portion that is a five-minute countdown regatta timer – how cool is that?! The lume hour markers have taken on a lovely rich patina that matches the hands nicely. And it’s the hands that are one of the standout elements of this cool watch. The cool big bubble centre-chrono hand and large arrow hour hand are fantastic! This super cool chrono comes with a Bulang and Sons strap. The 239T is driven by a Valjoux 7733 movement, which has been fully serviced by our watchmaker. Specifications - Reference 239T - 40mm steel case - Dates to 1970s - Cool red bezel - Valjoux 7733 manual wind movement - Comes on a Bulang and Sons strap - Fully serviced by our watchmaker - Includes a handmade single leather watch pouch

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Chronographs and split-seconds watches

A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.

Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.

What to look for

Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).

Dating clues

Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
Automatic chronographs: from 1969.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Mechanisms mentioned

Chronograph — Complication
GMT / dual time — Complication

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryNot in source
MaterialsRecorded
DimensionsRecorded
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksNot in source
ProvenanceNot in source
Several photographsRecorded

Editorial status: Documented — facts as published by the source; not independently verified by Atlas editors.

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Sources & image rights

Record source: Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © Bulang & Sons — dealer photographs; permission required (opens another website in a new tab).

Images are hosted by the Atlas for study and credited to their owner. Rights holders may request correction, credit changes or removal, or grant permission, via the editorial office.

Cite this record

"Wittnauer 239T Reference 7004A Steel Chronograph, 1970s." Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen, W-905. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/wittnauer-239t-reference-7004a-steel-chronograph-527a61.