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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Stainless steel wristwatch

Wittnauer stainless steel wristwatch

Partially verified

This is a vintage Wittnauer wristwatch dated by the source to the 1940s. The watch features a stainless steel case fitted with an expandable patterned metal bracelet. The dial is light-toned with Arabic numeral hour markers, an outer chapter ring, and a subsidiary seconds dial positioned above the 6 o'clock mark. The main hands display a blued finish, and the dial is signed with the maker's name below the 12 o'clock position.

Front view of the Wittnauer wristwatch showing the dial, case, winding crown, and expansion bracelet
Front view of the Wittnauer wristwatch showing the dial, case, winding crown, and expansion bracelet — Antiques & Art International. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Wristwatch · Stainless steel wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Wittnauer
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
157
Source-reported date
1940s
Country
Not established

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Object Identity and Dating

The item is catalogued by the auctioneer as a vintage Wittnauer wristwatch and dated in the listing title to the 1940s. The lot entry designates the piece as a "Vintage Wittnauer 1940's Stainless Steel Watch" without providing an official model name, reference number, or caliber code.

Dating to the 1940s rests exclusively on the auctioneer's headline description. The sale conditions note that the auctioneer "assumes no risk, liability or responsibility for the identification or authenticity or authorship" and that "ALL PROPERTY IS SOLD \"AS IS\"," leaving the period attribution uncorroborated by internal movement serial numbers or hallmark records in this listing.

Evidence for this section
  • “Vintage Wittnauer 1940's Stainless Steel Watch”
  • “assumes no risk, liability or responsibility for the identification or authenticity or authorship”
  • “ALL PROPERTY IS SOLD "AS IS"”

Case and Bracelet Construction

The watch features a case described in the source as stainless steel. Visual inspection indicates a winding crown positioned at 3 o'clock on an angular-lugged, tonneau-influenced case.

The watch is mounted on a flexible link expansion metal bracelet. Case dimensions, lug spacing, and the originality of the bracelet relative to the watch head are not recorded in the cataloguing.

Evidence for this section
  • “Vintage Wittnauer 1940's Stainless Steel Watch.”
  • “Crown positioned at 3 o'clock on an angular-lugged tonneau-influenced case.”
  • “Mounted on a flexible link expansion metal bracelet.”

Dial Configuration

Direct observation records a light-toned dial featuring Arabic numerals, an outer minutes track, and a subsidiary seconds subdial positioned at 6 o'clock.

The handset comprises blued steel hour and minute hands accompanied by a blued small seconds hand in the subsidiary register. Additional dial finishing details or maintenance histories are not stated in the source.

Evidence for this section
  • “Light dial with Arabic numerals, an outer minutes track, and a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock.”
  • “Blued steel hour and minute hands alongside a blued small seconds hand.”

Documentation and Mechanical Limitations

The auction entry contains no photographs or written descriptions of the internal movement or the inner case back. Consequently, the movement caliber, jewel count, mechanical condition, and internal markings are not recorded.

Technical documentation is limited to the single title sentence "Vintage Wittnauer 1940's Stainless Steel Watch." Dimensions, operational status, and timekeeping accuracy are not provided in the source.

Evidence for this section
  • “Vintage Wittnauer 1940's Stainless Steel Watch.”

Open research questions

  • What movement caliber is installed, and does it feature Longines-Wittnauer or US import code markings?
  • Are there reference or serial numbers stamped on the inside or outside of the case back?
  • What are the case dimensions, including case width without crown and lug-to-lug length?
  • Does the flexible link expansion bracelet bear maker marks indicating whether it is original to the watch or a period aftermarket addition?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Wittnauer stainless steel wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerWittnauer“Vintage Wittnauer 1940's Stainless Steel Watch”
Date1940s“1940's”
Case MaterialStainless Steel“Stainless Steel Watch”
Auction Lot Number157“Lot 157 : Vintage Wittnauer 1940's Stainless Steel Watch”
Auction Estimate$200 USD - $300 USD“Est: $200 USD - $300 USD”
Auction OutcomePassed“Passed”

Visible details

  • Light dial with Arabic numerals, an outer minutes track, and a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock.
  • Blued steel hour and minute hands alongside a blued small seconds hand.
  • Mounted on a flexible link expansion metal bracelet.
  • Crown positioned at 3 o'clock on an angular-lugged tonneau-influenced case.

Research qualifications

  • Movement caliber and inner case back markings are not shown or recorded.
  • Dimensions and operational status are not provided by the source.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Sold at Auction: Vintage Wittnauer 1940's Stainless Steel Watch

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 8255eb1892

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.