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Wittnauer Professional (Ref. 246T) "Scuba Roulette", 1970s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Wittnauer Professional (Ref. 246T) "Scuba Roulette", 1970s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Wittnauer (maker)
Date
1970s
Country of origin
Unrecorded in source
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 42 mm
Stock no.
WITPRO246T
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (WITPRO246T)
Catalogue title (original)
1970s Wittnauer Professional (Ref. 246T) "Scuba Roulette" (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number WITPRO246T), this is a wristwatch by Wittnauer, dated 1970s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 42 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

The Wittnauer Professional Chronograph 246T aka the "Scuba Roullete" is the definition of 70s golden era dive watches. The funky chronograph, intended for underwater use, features a high contrast racing style dial configuration that is unique to dive watches of this time. The "roulette" portion of the nickname comes from the odd bezel format, made from bakelite, that has a close resemblance to roulette tables used for gambling. The bezel is actually intended for being able to time split second intervals. Encased in an oversized tonneau style case, brick link bracelet and a Valjoux 72 chronograph movement, there's no question that this watch will be a standout in the collection. This "Scuba Roullete" in specific, has taken on a stunning brown or "tropical" dial coloration, contrasting beautifully with the orange markers and hands. One would think that this dial and bezel combination would come across as "busy", but this watch actually has a very subtle wrist appearance and wears smaller than its measured size. Making the "Scuba Roulette" a perfect watch as a daily wearer. Stock # WITPRO246T Brand Wittnauer Style "Suba Roulette" Diving Chronograph Model Ref. 246T Serial N/A Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Racing/Brown "Tropical" Millimeters 42mm Bracelet JB Champion "Brick Link" Wittnauer Bracelet CASE & BRACELET The tonneau style case has been previously polished showing light wear from use. The "roulette" bakelite bezel is free of any cracking or major scratches, exhibiting some very light internal chipping. The pump pushers and crown remain original to the watch. The original Wittnauer/JB Champion "brick link" bracelet remains in excellent condition, showing some stretch, which is common for this style bracelet. DIAL & HANDS The super tropical, racing style chronograph dial remains in stunning original condition. The dial itself has taken on an obvious brown coloration referred to as "tropical". The orange markers contrast the brown dial beautifully. The lume plots react under U.V. light. The original tritium baton style hands remain in good vintage condition. The minute hand exhibits minor lume loss at the tip, otherwise remaining fully intact. The chronograph sweep-seconds and subdial hands remain original to the watch and in good condition. ACCESSORIES

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 timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

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.

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