Wakmann is mostly remembered today for its association with Breitling. Founded in 1943 in Portugal by a Russian immigrant named Icko Wakmann, he later took his watch business to New York and became Breitling’s official US import partner in 1947. Wakmann would receive unassembled Breitling watches to assemble and sell in the US, and also sold Wakmann-branded watches that were otherwise partly or mostly made with Breitling parts; this relationship continued until the 1980s.
Today, a modern company called Wakmann keeps the name alive and produces Swiss-Made watches that focus on the use of tritium illumination. Wakmann watches surface on the vintage market here and there, and while the brand is known for some very nice triple calendar watches, it has a varied catalog. Below, we found some truly sporty chronograph watches, each representing a very different style.
Wakmann Diver Chronograph 1960s
What We Like: Absolutely a killer overall package, with that monochromatic but punchy design, “beads-of-rice” bracelet, and a 40.5mm case that’s perfectly sized for modern tastes — though it would have been considered quite large when the watch came out in the 1960s. It’s got a rotating diver’s bezel, 200m of water resistance (“20 ATM,” as on the dial), and is powered by the Valjoux 7733 manually wound chronograph movement. Details like the beveled lugs and raised crystal top it all off.
From the Seller: Only a ding on the inner lower left bezel that could be polished if desired. Movement was just cleaned and is accurate, with the chronograph functioning perfectly.
