Wittnauer Professional Chronograph (Ref. 242T) "Valjoux 72", 1960s

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

While Wittnauer certainly isn’t one of the commonly known watch brands, it certainly has the history to rival just about any other out there. Founded in 1885 in New York by Swiss immigrant Albert Wittnauer, the eponymous company set out to craft timepieces designed for exploration and adventure, especially in aviation and sea navigation. In fact, Neil Armstrong wore a Wittnauer for the Gemini 8 mission. Keeping with the space theme, it's long been rumored within the watch community that the Wittnauer Professional Chronograph ref. 242T was one of the watches tested by NASA for flight certification, though this was never proven. What is proven, however, is how incredibly unique and beautiful this watch is. Boasting an impressive 38mm case with intricately tapered lugs, the Wittnauer ref. 242T gives the wearer a truly modern feel on the wrist, however, it's actually the dial that steals the show of this watch. The very space-age dial resembles a solar system with planetary-like lume plots of varying sizes featured around the dial with a dotted minute track that circles the inner portion of the dial. The dial is also fitted with a decimal scale for its outer track and the sub-dials feature a glossy finish around the concentric matte black finish at the center. One might think a watch dial with so many details would come off as busy and difficult to read, but in the case of the Wittnauer Professional ref. 242T, the details are executed in perfect harmony to give the entirety of the watch so much depth and dimension. Stock # WITPCH242T Brand Wittnauer Style Professional Chronograph Model 242T Serial N/A Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Matte Black Millimeters 38 Strap 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The robust and noble case is believed to remain unpolished, as the long tapered lugs retain untouched chamfers that retain crisp factory edges and dimensions. The case retains its original domed acrylic crystal, which features some minor crazing along with gentle signs of use. The Wittnauer-signed crown is original to the watch, as are the pump pushers. The case back retains its original concentric brushed finish with its factory "Stainless Steel" engraving fully intact. The watch comes supplied on a 2pc handmade leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The matte black dial is in flawless condition, showing no damage or age whatsoever to the dial itself or the sub-dials at the 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions. The tritium lume plots have taken on a beautiful yellow patina and exhibit no degradation when inspected under U.V. light. The original tritium hands match the dial perfectly, under U.V. light inspection the hour and minute hands exhibit some very minor lume loss and remain stable, the lollipop chronograph hand shows no degradation. ACCESSORIES