Identifying a Wittnauer watch is not difficult. A visual inspection of the dial and the movement--the spring-loaded mechanism that runs and regulates the timepiece—will quickly identify a Wittnauer watch. It’s more difficult, however, to examine the movement on contemporary Wittnauer watches because they are not easy to open for inspection like vintage versions. Examining the inside of newer Wittnauers should be performed by an experienced watchmaker.
Between 1894 and early 1910’s, Omega has delivered most of it’s pocket watch movements with serial numbers engraved on the dial side, which makes it, for the uninitiated hands, hard to access and therefore, hard to date. BackgroundWittnauer has been producing watches since the 1880s, but its long association with the luxury watch company Longines has resulted in the production of some of the finest watches ever made. Longines-Wittnauer watches were manufactured between 1936 and 1994. Vintage Longines-Wittnauer watches are highly sought after by collectors but remain affordable. Longines parted company with Wittnauer in 1994. Wittnauer remained independent until 2001 when it was purchased by Bulova. In 2010, Wittnauer remained its own distinctive brand, according to Interwatches.com and Longines.com. IdentificationWittnauer watches can be identified by using a jeweler’s loupe or magnifying glass to examine the dial. Wittnauers always have the name printed or embossed on the dial under the 12. The Wittnauer name probably won’t appear on the outside of the case back of vintage models. Most pre-1960s Wittnauers have no identification on the case back. By the mid 1960s, the name was engraved on the back. Automatic Versus Wind-UpThe dial also will help the watch owner identify the Wittnauer as an automatic self-winding model or manual wind version. Wittnauer self-winding watches will have the word “automatic” printed above the 6 or under the Wittnauer name at the top of the dial. Manual winding watches will have no identification. Contemporary ModelsMost contemporary Wittnauer automatics have a see-through case back that display the movement. The edge of the case back will be marked “automatic” and the half-moon disc on the movement will identify it as an automatic. The “Wittnauer” name also will be engraved on the disc. Opening the CaseVintage Wittnauer case backs can be removed to identify the movement and the engravings inside the case back. Vintage models either have a snap-down or screw-down case back. Snap-down versions can be pried open with a watchmaker’s case blade. The screw-down versions can be twisted counterclockwise with the palm of your hand and removed. The inside of the case back should have “Longines Wittnauer Watch Co.” engraved on it. The Movement“Wittnauer” should be engraved on the movement. A serial number should appear on the movement. The serial number can be matched against the Longines-Wittnauer list. Obtaining the serial number list on post-1994 Wittnauers may be more difficult and may require contacting a retail Wittnauer watch dealer. It's not recommended that novice collectors open case backs on contemporary watches. Including Serial Numbers & Production Dates1832 - Present In the early 1800's Swiss watchmaking was truly a cottage-industry. Watches were produced using the 'etablissage' method, where individual tradesman working out of small studios or their homes would produce parts (or sub-assemblies) which were then assembled and sold under the auspices of a single brand. In 1832, Auguste Agassiz began selling etablissage-produced watches under the name 'Agassiz & Compagnie' and was particularly successful selling those watches in North America. In the 1850's, Agassiz passed control of his company to his nephew, Ernest Francillon. Francillon wanted to modernize the production of watches and believed that bringing all the final assembly and finish operations together into one factory would be a more efficient method of production. To accomplish this, Francillon built a factory on a piece of land known as 'Les Longines' and the Longines brand was born. This method of production proved to be very successful, and by the early 1900's the Longines factory employed over 1000 people and had achieved worldwide distrubution and success with its products. Amd sm bus controller driver windows 7. Download game gta mod drag. The Longines 'Winged Hourglass' (actually a winged clepsydra for those who care about such things) is the oldest registered trademark for a watch company, having been registered in 1880. The Winged Hourglass logo first appeared on Longines watches in about 1867. Longines - WittnauerThe A. Wittnauer Co. became the exclusive sales agent for Longines in 1880, starting a relationship that would last for 114 years. In 1936, the Wittnauer Co. was sold by the Wittnauer family and renamed the Longines-Wittnauer Co., a name that became so linked in the minds of the public that most assume that Longines and Wittnauer watches are the same. In fact, they produced distinctly different movements, though both are of similar excellent quality. Longines Chronographs in Sport and AviationLongines was the first company known to have created precision timers for sporting events. They pioneered the 'broken wire' system, as well as the first 'photo finish' mechanism, which linked precision timing with a photographic record of the event. Longines timers are still used in many sporting events, especially equestrian and gymnastics competitions. Longines produced some really beautiful sport chronograph watches in the 30's and 40's, using Longines own in-house movements. Original Longines chronographs are very collectible. Longines was also famous for their Aviator's watches. After his historic flight, Charles Lindbergh helped Longines design a pilot's watch with special features for air-navigation. Longines is also the official timer of the World Air Sports Federation, and has provided the timing equipment used to verify world aviation records, including Lindbergh's historic first non-stop solo crossing of the Atlantic. Aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart was also known to have worn a Longines watch, which is described here. Longines 'Winged Hourglass' Logo Vintage Longines - Wittnauer Watch RepairLongines produces some really beautiful wristwatches; classic designs that look as good today as they did 50 years ago. Their watches are collectible, affordable and are often very reliable time-keepers. Another advantage for the collector is that parts can usually be found to repair Longines watches. Modern Longines WatchesAt the time of this writing, Longines is part of the Swatch Group, the largest Swiss watch conglomerate. We do not repair modern, battery-powered Longines watches, but please contact us if we can help you with the restoration of your vintage mechanical Longines watch. Longines Watch CompanyLongines Pocket Watch Serial Number DatabaseThis table can be used to establish the approximate age of your Longines watch using the serial number. Longines serial numbers are usually found on the back plate of the movement.
Be sure to use the serial number on the movement (the works) of the watch. Do not use the serial number from the watch case. Can’t find your serial number in the table? Click here for an explanation and example of how to use our serial number tables. Need help finding the serial number on your watch? Click here for instructions on how to identify and open most common case types. Mobile suit gundam 0079 english sub download. Has all but vanquished the Federation. Now the Federation's last hope is the prototype mobile suit Gundam. Mobile Suit Gundam (First Gundam) Downloads. Longines Pocket Watch Serial Number 7285015Renaissance Watch Repair is not affiliated with the Longines company. The Longines name and names of various Longines watch models are trademarks of Longines and the Swatch Group, and are shown herein for educational purposes only.
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