Rare Vintage Swiss made Breitling Wakmann 1/10 stop watch. New with original box. Works fine.

Rare Vintage Swiss made Breitling Wakmann 1/10 stop watch. New with original box. Works fine.

Size 5 cm diameter

1960s - 1970s

1895 – Founder of Wakmann

In 1895, Mr. Wakmann was born inRussiawith Jewish origins. 

1943 – During WWII

In the early stages of World War II (WWII), Mr. Wakmann started his watch business inPortugaland had been representing several high-end European watch brands.  At the same time, warfare was spreading acrossEuropein rapid pace.  During the Holocaust, the Wakmann family devoted great efforts in assisting refugees from the Nazi horror.

During WWII inNorth America, many American watch companies were put at a disadvantage.  Their production was switched to war products, while the Swiss watch manufacturers produced watches for war efforts and civilians.  As a result, the U.S.government decided to support the American watch industry.  The Swiss Watch Import Act was subsequently formed, and the U.S. Department of Commerce started to impose custom duties on high-end imported Swiss watches.

Following rapid product and design breakthroughs, Wakmann watches soon gained the reputation as precise high-end timepieces, and became status symbol among customers.  In 1947, Wakmann Watch Company ofNew Yorkwas officially listed in the U.S. Stock Exchange and the brand received greater public approval.  In October 1947, Breitling Watch Corporation ofAmericawas formed inNew York.  It was a joint venture between Wakmann Watch Company and the renowned Swiss aviation timepiece manufacturer Breitling Watch Company.