| There isn't anything as endearing to the public as a | | | | world's most exciting people in regards to the budding |
| rags to riches story and the history behind the | | | | fields of aviation, astrology, and navigation go to this |
| Wittnauer Watch Company is one such story. Imagine | | | | company for the most accurate, well made field |
| if you will a young 16 year old Swiss immigrant arriving | | | | devices and watches. Of the Wittnauer Company and |
| in New York City in 1872 with an already well | | | | products, noted horologist Marvin E. Whitney writes, |
| developed ability to produce high quality watches. The | | | | "No one company has been more involved in the |
| story only gets better from here. | | | | design and production of so many different types of |
| Young Mr. Wittnauer begins working for his brother in | | | | navigational timepieces and been involved in so many |
| law J. Eugene Robert. Mr. Robert is an importer of fine | | | | history making expeditions…" |
| Swiss watches. With the help of his younger brother, | | | | With the death of her last brother Emile, Martha |
| Albert Wittnauer decides there is a need for a watch | | | | Wittnauer is left holding the reins of this amazing |
| designed with all of the durability and function the | | | | company in 1916. At the time, she is one of the few |
| American public demands. Much to everyone's except | | | | CEOs of a major American company. Martha does |
| Albert's surprise, the watches are an instant hit with his | | | | continue the amazing work she and her brothers |
| brother in law's clients. | | | | began years before and continues to bring success to |
| By 1890, the company is formally establishes when Mr. | | | | the family company. She was particularly fond of |
| Robert gives the title to Albert Wittnauer and the A. | | | | encouraging the aviation navigating instruments that |
| Wittnauer Company is born. All of the Wittnauer | | | | had helped make the company so successful in the |
| siblings are involved in the budding business. They | | | | first place. |
| make the bright decision to employ the best and most | | | | That is a brief synopsis of the Wittnauer Company's |
| talented of watch making engineers. The company | | | | early history. The events and people who originally |
| also stays ahead of the game and begins to cater to | | | | formed the company were to have a tremendous |
| the ever growing world of exploration. It is their | | | | influence on the rest of its history. The advantages |
| timepieces that are found on trips made by navigators, | | | | made by the company were continued in 1949 with |
| explorers, and astronomers. | | | | the release of a self winding watch. It was designed to |
| In terms of the great global exploration taking place, | | | | be slimmer and more durable than the other self |
| the A. Wittnauer Co. becomes even further involved | | | | winding watches of the time. |
| with the Navy for early aviation tests. From there the | | | | |