1960's Wittnauer Professional Chronograph 242T
Valjoux 72. In a perfectly proportioned case with one of the best looking dials of the era. What more do we really need to say?
Wittnauer is lesser known to collectors than its contemporaries and-- in our opinion-- is all the better for it. The solid full-sized 38mm steel case construction the Reference 8024-242T has all of the 'tool watch' appeal of better-known watches from the same era, such as the all-powerful Omega Speedmaster, with which the Wittnauer Professional once competed for a certain high-profile US Government Agency job!
And we've even heard it suggested that the dial layout - from its crisp printing, radial chapter ring, and recessed subsidiary registers with glossy edging - surpasses even the mighty Moonwatch in the looks department. Throw in the perfect case proportions and the lollipop chronograph hand and we'd have a hard time arguing against that!
So while the 8024 may never have made it to the moon, it has become a darling of the collector community, and with the Valjoux 72 manually-winding chronograph movement beating away inside, they are also robust and reliable tools for everyday wear.
We've had a handful of these special chronographs come through in years past, but this particular example has a rich, chocolatey dial and deeply patinated lume that really makes it a standout.
This is a very rare opportunity to acquire a collector-grade example of the elusive Wittnauer 242T Chronograph, which is widely considered to be the "Holy Grail" of all Wittnauer wristwatches. Originally designed by Wittnauer to be extremely legible for use in scientific, laboratory, medical, and time-study applications, it was able to divide elapsed time into tenths and/or hundredths at a quick glance. Despite being incredibly useful in the field, decimal tracks are seldom seen on other wristwatches. Given the overall design aesthetic and capabilities of the 242T, it comes as no surprise that this reference is believed to have been submitted by Wittnauer to NASA for consideration in the Apollo Moon Landing program. This NASA connection has undoubtedly elevated the watch to become a "must-have" in collector circles today, but the obvious appeal of the 242T stands on its own.
According to our friends at Analog/Shift, the tests that NASA subjected these watches to were grueling and comprehensive, meant to simulate conditions that they would endure in space, as well as the uses to which the astronauts would put them. Since the astronauts would need to time a variety of tasks, the chronographs were left running for several hours. To simulate the cold vacuum of space, as well as the inferno of re-entry, they were decompressed for 90 minutes and exposed to temperatures from 0 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Finally, to recreate the tumultuous launch conditions, the watches were exposed to intense vibration for 30 minutes, and then had to withstand shocks of 40 G's.
The Brand:
From the brand's inception in the 1880s, Wittnauer gained a reputation for their excellent complicated watches. Aviators like Amelia Earhart piloted their planes with instruments made by Wittnauer. Daredevil aviator Jimmy Mattern wore a Wittnauer AllProof in his attempted flight around the world in 1933.
Longines formally bought Wittnauer in the 1950s, and the brand continued to produce exceptional chronographs at a more competitive price point than their Swiss contemporaries. But like so many watch brands, Wittnauer folded in the face of budget crises in the mid-1980s, causing Longines to dissolve their relationship with Wittnauer. Despite this, their watches remain, and stand as a testament to their ingenuity and elegance.
We've been touting Wittnauer chronographs for years, and for good reason. Their Professional line, in particular, has become increasingly desirable as more and more collectors realize their inherent value.
They combine sturdy steel cases with distinctive dials and a history that's just as reputable as other horological heavy-hitters like Breitling, Omega, and Universal Genéve.
Information:
Pre-owned: 1960's Wittnauer Professional Chronograph 8024-242T
Reference: 8024/242T
Circa: 1960's
Dated: 2024 (Analog Shift Warranty)
Dial: Stunning original black dial with incredible yellow Tritium lume plots and white decimal track (divides elapsed time into tenths and/or hundredths for use in scientific, laboratory, medical, and time-study applications)
Hands: Tritium - matching dial
Strap: Brown Leather strap
Case: 38mm x 13.5mm thickness - Stainless Steel
Lug Width: 20mm
Crown: Service crown
Movement: Valjoux 72 - Manual - Running (+3 s/d 230 amp)
Inside Caseback: 8024/242T
Functions: Hours, seconds, minutes, chronograph
Accessories: Analog Shift box, and warranty papers
Crystal: Plexiglass
Condition: Great
Case is in great shape with light micro wear throughout. Strap is in great shape with no wear. Dial is in amazing shape with lume intact. Hands have lume intact. Crystal has a couple surface level scratches. Watch is running (+3 s/d 230 amp).
