![]() Wittnauer Works with the Navy and Aviation It’s interesting to note that Longines-Wittnauer Watch Company doesn’t seem to have ever been owned by Longines, although this fact is stated in Wikipedia and some other sources. In terms of quality, Wittnauer watches were rather good (otherwise they wouldn’t be popular with aviators and military personnel) and definitely comparable to renowned Swiss brands. Longines Wittnauer Family of Fine Watches: a detailed description of the brands imported to the US by the Longines-Wittnauer Watch Company Wittnauer Company, positioned in different marketing materials as the “next best thing to Longines”. The watch brand Wittnauer was the “house brand” of A. Among those brands, there was obviously Longines, but also Vacheron & Constantin and LeCoultre. Wittnauer Company’s main business was importing watches from different brands to the US. 2001: Bulova acquires Wittnauer International Inc.Ĭonnection between Wittnauer and LonginesĪ.1996: Wittnauer International Inc is acquired by Robert L.1994: company is renamed to Wittnauer International Inc following the end of distribution agreement with Longines.1969: Longines-Wittnauer Watch Company is sold to Westinghouse Electric Corporation. ![]() 1936: the company is sold by the Wittnauer family to Hella Deltah Company (a manufacturer of pearls), name is changed to Longines-Wittnauer Watch Company.1916: after the death of Albert Wittnauer and his brothers, Martha Wittnauer becomes CEO of A.Eugène Robert Company and renames it as A. 1880: the Wittnauer watch brand is created by J.1872: Albert Charles Wittnauer starts working for J.Eugène Robert Company of importing watches is founded. In order to better understand the history of this brand, it is useful to know the key dates, often corresponding to subsequent changes of owners: Since 1936, when the company changed hands, the Wittnauer family is no longer involved in the business. Featuring water resistance and high precision, Wittnauer watches were recognized by the US Olympic Committee and the American Expeditionary Force servicemen during World War I. During her time as CEO, she encouraged Wittnauer’s involvement with the aviation industry as well as with the world of sports. Martha was in charge of the company between 19. This was a historical first, as no other woman prior to her had ever been CEO of a watch company before. After Albert Wittnauer and his brothers passed, Martha Wittnauer took over the company. The company saw steady growth going into the turn of the century. Several years later, in 1888, Albert took over Eugene’s company and renamed it as A. In 1880, Wittnauer embarked into the American watch market with his first line of watches under the brand “Wittnauer”. If similar watches were assembled domestically or produced by their own subsidiary in Switzerland, they could be sold at significantly lower prices while still offering the same level of quality. While the Swiss watches which they imported were popular with American buyers, they were also expensive since they were heavily taxed in the US. Robert’s company imported Swiss watches and movements (notably Longines). At the time, he was employed by Swiss watch importer Eugene Robert, who was his brother-in-law. Wittnauer CompanyĪlbert WittnauerAlbert Wittnauer was 16 years old when he immigrated to New York City from Switzerland in 1872. ![]()
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