Longines Wittnauer

Founded by Swiss immigrant Albert Wittnauer in New York City, the Wittnauer Watch Co.  became a true watch company in 1880, when the brand was officially introduced. Albert, along with his brother Louis (and later Emile) imported complete watches or just mechanisms from its Geneva, Switzerland factory.

By the 20th century they were firmly established as providing watches, chronometers and military timing devices to the military, famed early explorers and the general public, and are on record for producing the first waterproof watch called the “All Proof” in 1918. Long associated with the Longines Watch Co. via a U.S. partnership the firm is now owned by Bulova, its onetime competitor.