All original except for the band which was added later. 14 kt. solid yellow gold case with solid yellow gold back that is marked "Wittnauer New York Geneva Montreal" on the inside. 17 jewel cal. 9E manual wind movement is running well and keeping good time. Silver original dial with gold markers and gold hands. New yellow gold plated expandable band. This watch comes in its original blue plastic Wittnauer box that has a gold silk inner lining that is marked "Wittnauer A Longines Wittnauer Product" and this box has the original outside gold cardboard box too. Cir. 1950's.
Size 25 x 33 mm
Ken Cooper our best and only west coast manager tells this story that if read by the publishers of Readers Digest would most likely win him a case payment so I would like to share it with you.
Arkady Bogart was a sad and bitter man due to losing both legs and one arm while using the latrine on the battlefield of Korea. A stray enemy shell struck and exploded upon the latrine while Arkady was using it. Badly injured, he was sent first to Pusan, Korea then to Japan, and finally to a hospital near his hometown in the states. The days and months passed and Arkady became more and more bitter towards life and the world. All this would change when a departing soldier, who had been a patient on Arkday's ward, left him a great looking gold Wittnauer watch. The soldier's departing words were, " This watch will speed your recovery and improve your outlook on life once you discover it's inner beauty." At first Arkady was disgusted, how could a watch he could not set nor wind improve his life? Yet as days passed he was drawn to the great beauty of the gold Wittnauer. It seemed to glow night and day and whisper to him " Learn to wind me and more will follow." So one sunny day Arkadt set out to try and set the time. He had a goal and suddenly starting eating better and being cheerful towards the hospital staff. One evening he was able to set the time and within a few days he was winding it also. He improved so much both in his physical state and also mentally he was discharge with a great outlook for his future years. Using his savings he established a motivational speaking organization that thrived once the word got out that Arkaday could inspire a bowl of jello to greater things. On his 80th birthday he retired to his plush home and sold his beloved Wittnauer to Girard's Watches in the hope that it would inspire a new owner to become the best he could be. Take advantage of Girard's very special layaway plan to own this masterpiece.