There isn’t anything as endearing to the public as a rags to riches story and the history behind the wittnauer watches Company is one such story. Imagine if you will a young 16 year old Swiss immigrant arriving in New York City in 1872 with an already well developed ability to produce high quality watches. Young Mr. Wittnauer begins working for his brother in law J. Eugene Robert. Mr. Robert is an importer of fine Swiss watches. With the help of his younger brother, Albert Wittnauer decides there is a need for a watch designed with all of the durability and function the American public demands. Much to everyone’s except Albert’s surprise, the watches are an instant hit with his brother in law’s clients.

By 1890, the company is formally establishes when Mr. Robert gives the title to Albert Wittnauer and the A. Wittnauer Company is born. All of the Wittnauer siblings are involved in the budding business. The company also stays ahead of the game and begins to cater to the ever growing world of exploration. In terms of the great global exploration taking place, the A. Wittnauer Co. becomes even further involved with the Navy for early aviation tests. From there the world’s most exciting people in regards to the budding fields of aviation, astrology, and navigation go to this company for the most accurate, well made field devices and watches. Of the Wittnauer Company and products, noted horologist Marvin E. Whitney writes, “No one company has been more involved in the design and production of so many different types of navigational timepieces and been involved in so many history making expeditions…”

With the death of her last brother Emile, Martha Wittnauer is left holding the reins of this amazing company in 1916. The events and people who originally formed the company were to have a tremendous influence on the rest of its history. The advantages made by the company were continued in 1949 with the release of a self winding watch. It was designed to be slimmer and more durable than the other self winding watches of the time.

The Wittnauer Company has retained its reputation for extraordinary timepieces and is still a major player on the watch making scene and is now part of the Bulova family.