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Wittnauer Professional Chronograph (Ref. 247T) "Surfboard Dial", 1960s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Wittnauer Professional Chronograph (Ref. 247T) "Surfboard Dial", 1960s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Wittnauer (maker)
Date
1960s
Country of origin
Unrecorded in source
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 37 mm
Stock no.
WITT247SB
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (WITT247SB)
Catalogue title (original)
1960s Wittnauer Professional Chronograph (Ref. 247T) "Surfboard Dial" (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number WITT247SB), this is a wristwatch by Wittnauer, dated 1960s. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 37 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 — Craft & Tailored

While Wittnauer may not be one of the more commonly known watch brands, it certainly has the history to rival just about any out there. Founded in 1885 in New York by Swiss immigrant Albert Wittnauer, the eponymous company set out to craft timepieces that were designed for exploration and adventure, especially in aviation and sea navigation. In fact, Neil Armstrong wore a Wittnauer for the Gemini 8 mission. It’s no wonder, then, that Vintage Wittnauer chronographs have been growing in popularity among vintage collectors lately. This great example is definitely a head-turner, featuring several key elements that make it highly desirable, like its unique 37mm case size, "surfboard" chronograph dial and stylish, obelisk-esque hands. And inside, there’s the manual-wound chronograph caliber Valjoux 7733, which is a workhorse and a favorite among collectors. Stock # WITT247SB Brand Wittnauer Style Chronograph Model 247T Serial N/A Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Silver/ Blue Millimeters 37 Bracelet 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The uncharacteristically angular stainless steel “C”-shaped case is in original and unpolished condition. It retains its original Wittnauer-signed crown between two pump pushers. The silver case back is clean, showing appropriate signs of use for its age. The watch will be supplied on a 2-piece canvas strap. DIAL & HANDS The white dial hosts the unique dark blue “surfboard,” which houses two chronograph subdials. The dial itself is in good vintage condition with light age present under magnification. The tritium lume plots have aged to a tasteful yellow patina. The original obelisk-shaped tritium hands match the dial perfectly and show no degradation when inspected under U.V. light. ACCESSORIES

Historical context

Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)

Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.

The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking

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.

Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph

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