[1] The A. Wittnauer Co. became further involved with the United States Navy for early tests in the budding fields of aviation and navigation.

[citation needed] During World War I Wittnauer produced instruments and watches for the early aviation units.

[1] On May 20–21, 1932 Amelia Earhart made the first solo flight by a woman across the Atlantic with her Lockheed Vega-5B equipped with Wittnauer instruments.

[1] Wittnauer products were widely used in scientific expeditions and exploration,[1] and was - with Longines movements - one of three contenders for the first mission on the moon along with Omega Speedmaster and Rolex Daytona.

[citation needed] During World War 2, Wittnauer started its major production line of compasses, used by soldiers and aviators during combat.

[citation needed] In 1950 the Swiss company Longines bought Wittnauer, and marketed some very similar lines of watches under both brand names, maintaining separate factories.