Wittnauer All-Proof

While we make much of Wittnauer's chronographs here at Analog/Shift, the brand's other offerings--particularly in the field of aviation--were nothing to overlook. From the brand's earliest days as American distributor for Longines, Wittnauer was making cockpit instruments and navigational devices. In the late 1910s, after the death of Albert Wittnauer, his sister Martha took over the company; and under her leadership, during the First World War, the brand supplied wristwatches to the predecessor of the U.S. Army Air Corps.

These watches were waterproof, shock-proof, dust-proof, and anti-magnetic. Further developments in the following decade would lead to the launch of the branded All-Proof model in 1928. Though the case (27mm) is small to the modern eye, it's tough, and attracted the attention of aviators and explorers. 

Perhaps the most notable owner of the All-Proof was daredevil aviator Jimmie Mattern. Mattern twice attempted to circumnavigate the world by airplane, intending to break the world record set by Wiley Post and Harold Gatty, once in 1932 and the second time in 1933. Of that second solo flight in 1933 (when he crash-landed in Siberia, abandoned his airplane, Century of Progress, and was later rescued by Eskimos) Mattern wrote:

"It gives me great pleasure to advise you that my Wittnauer All-Proof Watch was my only constant companion on my ’round the world solo flight, and it survived all hardships. It is a crashproof timepiece par excellence. After my ’plane crashed and I had to wade and swim in some of the rivers it proved absolutely waterproof. It kept up a true performance when I was lost to civilization for many days. It was a sensation with the Eskimos…who considered it something super-natural. It personifies mechanical perfection heretofore unknown to me, and when I reached New York it was correct to the minute. I banged it all around. It was dropped on concrete a number of times – still it keeps ticking away. I should not have believed that such a watch could be built, but my experience has shown me that too much cannot be said about this wonderful All-Proof timepiece which I recommend for hard usage."

An interesting footnote: Mattern continued to fly throughout the 1930s and 40s (as a test pilot for Lockheed Martin, particularly in the development of their P-38 Lightning), but retired from flying when he was diagnosed with ruptured blood vessels in the brain in 1946. Yet he continued to be involved in aviation circles, especially the burgeoning space program--the astronauts, many of them pilots, admired Mattern for his adventurous spirit and contributions to world of aviation. Neil Armstrong wore Mattern's own All-Proof in the Gemini 8 mission, and Mattern's pilot's license was carried aboard the lunar module in Apollo 11. 

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Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.