About the Wittnauer 8003

This Wittnauer watch is a classic example of mid-century Swiss design, likely dating from the 1950s or 1960s. Wittnauer, originally founded in New York in the late 19th century, became well-known for producing high-quality Swiss watches. By the time this watch was produced, Wittnauer had already cemented a reputation for reliability, often serving as a more accessibly priced alternative to brands like Longines, with whom they shared a long-standing relationship (and eventually merged in the 1950s).

What makes this Wittnauer notable is its elegance and practicality. The combination of a date window at 3 o’clock and a sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock indicates a mechanical movement built for durability and utility. It is powered by the Wittnauer C11K movement. The C11K is a 17-jewel movement beating at 18,000 vibrations per hour, and is often based on the A. Schild 1200 family, a widely used Swiss movement platform in its time. Its simplicity made it highly serviceable, contributing to the longevity of watches like this one.

About this example

The watch features a silver-toned dial with a soft patina. The applied indices are bold, sharply faceted, and paired with polished dauphine hands. These elements catch the light subtly, giving the dial a refined, elegant look. A discreet date window sits at 3 o’clock, framed in silver for added emphasis, while the sub-seconds register at 6 o’clock includes a fine crosshair design. The case is stainless steel with a polished finish and strong, angular lugs, and it’s shown here on a dark leather strap that complements the vintage aesthetic. Comes to you freshly serviced by us and keeping excellent time for its age and caliber.