Why This Watch Matters A watch built for the most advanced minds of the time, this slide-rule equipped Wittnauer has a very academic look that sets it apart. The Full Story Wittnauer is often associated with Longines, as the former was the latter's U.S. importer for decades. But the history of the company stretches much further into history. Wittnauer was founded in New York in 1885 by Albert Wittnauer, a Swiss national, and his brother-in-law, J. Eugene Robert, who was already in the business of importing Swiss watches to the United States. Wittnauer attracted a large audience in the U.S., as its wide range of timepieces included everything from beautiful dress watches to tool watches, like this slide-rule bezel equipped example. This watch is not one you see too often with its graph paper-esque dial design and slide-rule bezel. It is clear that the intended audience for this product was the scientific, academic type. Collectors refer to this model as the "Pert-o-Graph" as a variant was produced with this branding on the dial and a Pert-o-Graph graduated bezel, rather than a slide rule. If you're wondering what that is, well, we were too. Developed in the 1960s, critical path theory in project management identifies the series of tasks needed to complete a project and prioritizes the tasks that require completing in a certain order to expedite the project, creating a critical path. The Pert-o-Graph is a slide rule style "computer" that calculates critical path. Luckily, the Wittnauer "Pert-o-Graph" example we have here is fitted with a more standard and more usable slide rule bezel. Condition on this example is very nice with nicely faceted lugs and a clean dial surface. It is great to see the correct plexiglass crystal with a rectangular shaped date magnifier. The dial and hands feature black paint rather than luminous material making this a "non-lume" watch, something we are very into lately. We paired this Wittnauer with our new Holland watch strap in steel to play off of the black, white, and metallic tones of the watch. The Fine Print Maker: WittnauerModel: N/AReference: 7005Year: 1960sCase No: N/AMaterial: Stainless steelDimensions: Crystal: PlexiglassLume: N/ACaliber: Wittnauer, self-winding, caliber C11KAS-1Bracelet/Strap: HODINKEE The Holland Watch Strap In SteelLug Width: 20mmBox/Papers: No What We Love And What You Should Know Things We Love: - Rare model - Graph paper like dial motif - Slide-rule bezel- Crisp condition Things To Know: - Scratches on case This Wittnauer is in excellent, honest condition. The case is strong with scratches and some light nicks on the edges. The facets on the lugs are clearly visible. There are some deeper scratches on the caseback from opening the case. The "STAINLESS STEEL" text on the caseback is visible. The dial is in excellent overall condition with a light patina. The hands have developed a light patina. The slide rule bezel is in overall very nice condition with some wear around the edge. The sliding part of the bezel rotates freely. There are light scratches in the crystal. The dial, crown, case, and movement are all signed by Wittnauer. This watch was photographed on a 175mm/6.9inch wrist.
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