The Wittnauer 242T is a 1960s manual-winding chronograph with a reported 38 mm stainless-steel case and Valjoux 72 movement. Its decimal-time scale is a distinctive dial feature, but its often-repeated association with NASA trials is unproven: the available watch coverage does not establish that the 242T—or another Wittnauer—was the model tested.
What is the Wittnauer 242T?
Watch writer Michael Stockton described the 242T as a stainless-steel chronograph with a 38 mm case, 20 mm lug spacing and a manual-winding Valjoux 72. A Hodinkee Shop listing identifies its example’s movement as Valjoux 72 / Wittnauer 13W1. These are reported specifications, not a guarantee that every surviving watch remains in original condition; vintage examples may have replacement components or later repairs. Fratello’s 2016 overview and Hodinkee’s example listing are the sources for these descriptions.
The case details reported by Fratello include chamfered lugs, a polished bezel, domed acrylic crystal, signed crown, pump-style pushers and a screw-down caseback. Its three-register layout and busy black dial give the watch a distinctly instrument-like appearance. Stockton describes glossy black rings around the sub-registers, raised tritium lume plots, broad luminous hour and minute hands, and a lollipop detail on the chronograph hand. He also notes apparent reluming on some examples and dial variations, so those visual features alone cannot establish originality.
How does the 242T’s decimal scale work?
The 242T dial combines two different ways to read elapsed time. The outer decimal track divides an hour into 100 units, while the inner conventional scale uses 60 minutes. Decimal timing can make portions of an hour easier to express as hundredths, but its units are not ordinary minutes: a decimal unit is not the same length as a minute. Read the scale you intend to use rather than treating the outer markings as a second standard minute track.
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The chronograph records elapsed time in the usual mechanical-watch sense; the decimal markings provide an alternative way to interpret that time. They do not change how the movement measures seconds or make the watch a precision instrument by modern standards.
Was the Wittnauer 242T tested by NASA?
That claim is not established by the cited accounts. Stockton explicitly cautions that there is no proof the 242T was the Wittnauer reference involved in NASA trials; Hodinkee also characterizes the NASA connection as uncertain. The 235T is sometimes proposed instead, but Stockton likewise reports no proof for that identification. Accordingly, the 242T should not be described as NASA-tested, NASA-approved or flown in space on the strength of this collector lore.
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The well-known outcome of the NASA trials was the selection of the Omega Speedmaster Professional as the official astronaut’s watch. That fact does not identify a Wittnauer participant. The relevant watch coverage is retrospective rather than NASA archival documentation, so it supports a careful conclusion about uncertainty, not a definitive account of which Wittnauer reference—if any—was tested. Stockton’s Fratello article puts the limitation plainly: “There’s no proof that this watch was the reference tested during the NASA trials that ultimately saw the Omega Speedmaster Professional win out as the official astronaut’s watch.”
Which other Wittnauer chronographs are related?
Stockton’s article points to a varied group of Wittnauer chronographs. The movement and function identifications below are those reported in that article, not a complete production guide or confirmation for every individual watch.
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| Reference | Function or design noted | Movement reported |
|---|---|---|
| 235T | Three-register chronograph; sometimes proposed as the NASA-trial Wittnauer, without confirmation | Valjoux 72 |
| 228T | Chronograph | Venus 188 |
| 8024 242T “Panda” | 242T dial variation | Valjoux 72 |
| 245T | GMT chronograph with Pepsi-style bezel | Valjoux 72/724 |
| 246T | Diver chronograph with roulette-style dive bezel | Valjoux 72 |
| 7004 | Two-register chronograph | Valjoux 7733, Landeron 248 or Valjoux 92 |
The reference number is often found inside the caseback, according to Fratello. Opening a vintage chronograph risks damage and is best left to a qualified watchmaker.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should you check on a 242T?
Reference descriptions can help identify the model, but they cannot authenticate an individual watch or establish its condition. For a purchase or appraisal, assess the specific example rather than relying on the reference name alone.
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- Dial and lume: Look for consistency in dial printing, lume plots and hands, while recognizing that reluming and dial variants have been reported. An appearance-based judgment is not proof of originality.
- Case: Examine the lug shape, bezel, crown, pushers and caseback for wear, refinishing or replaced parts. A dealer’s description of its own watch is not a universal condition standard.
- Movement and operation: Ask a watchmaker to verify the movement and check the chronograph functions. A correct-looking dial does not establish that the movement is original or functioning properly.
- Service history: Request dated service documentation where available. Vintage chronograph maintenance and parts availability can materially affect ownership.
- Strap fit: The reported lug spacing is 20 mm, but check the exact watch’s lug and buckle measurements before buying a strap; fit and originality are separate questions.
What do the historical price mentions mean?
Figures reported in 2016 are anecdotes, not a current valuation. In his March 14, 2016 Fratello article, Stockton said he negotiated $3,500 for the featured example and described $4,000–$6,000 as the range 242Ts seemed to occupy at that time. A September 29, 2016 Fratello market update noted examples sold for $8,500 and $10,200. Those dated observations do not establish what a 242T is worth in 2026. Current value requires recent comparable sales and a close assessment of originality, condition, service history and completeness. The original 242T article and the 2016 market update provide the historical context.
Where does Wittnauer fit in the brand’s history?
Stockton’s account says Longines bought Wittnauer in 1950, initially kept the companies separate, and that the Swatch Group sold the Wittnauer name in 1995. This is the historical chronology given in that watch-journalism account; the cited material does not include primary corporate records to independently document it.
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