Product Description

​Vintage Watch-Style Pocket Compass – Signed Wittnauer Dial Face – Distinct Blued Steel Swallowtail Indicator Needle – Smooth Nickel-Silver Hunter Case

​Up for online auction is a vintage pocket watch-style field compass manufactured by the famous watchmakers at Wittnauer. Formed in a solid nickel-silver alloy hunter case with completely smooth, plain external lids, this robust pocket instrument features an exceptional white dial face proudly signed "WITTNAUER" above the South marker (Photos #3 & #7).

​Distinct Variant Hardware:

This model features an eye-catching, highly collectable bright blued-steel indicator needle balanced by a distinct split swallowtail counterweight tail piece (detailed closely in Photo #7). The dial is complete with a clean black 8-point compass rose, block directional typography, and an integrated interior brass perimeter locking bar to clamp the needle securely for safe travel.

​Item Specifics

​Brand/Maker: Wittnauer (Longines Watch Group)

​Model Configuration: Open-Face Hunter Case Layout

​Dial Branding: Signed "WITTNAUER" on Lower Face Plate

​Needle Variation: Bright Blued Steel with Swallowtail Counterweight

​Chassis Material: Nickel-Silver Alloy with Heavy Aged Tarnish

​Dimensions: Approximately 1.75 inches in diameter / 3 inches tall to top loop (Photo #8)

​Condition Report

​Exterior Case Cosmetics: Honest vintage condition. The solid white-metal nickel casing exhibits a heavy, uncleaned layer of spotty tarnish blemishes, oxidation flecks, and uniform pocket carry scuffs across both outer panels from long-term storage (Photos #1 & #2). Free of deep impact corner collapses or flat spots. The top watch-bow ring remains completely straight, rigid, and attached to the stem.

​Dial & Needle Mechanism: Excellent functional condition. The glass crystal is solid, clear, and completely free of deep cracks. The white dial face shows a clean, bright background with razor-sharp black calibrations. The unique blued-steel needle floats completely freely on its center pivot, reacts strongly to orientation shifts, and settles accurately toward magnetic North. The spring-loaded lid latch holds securely and pops open smoothly when the crown is depressed.