Wittnauer Chronograph Ref. 3256 - Indy 500 Provenance
Straight Facts
Buckle Up, It’s Time to Go Racing at ‘The Brickyard’
1953, Indianpolis Motor Speedway. It was 130 °F, the hottest race on record. Spirits were high, but dampened by the death of race veteran Chet Miller the day before in qualifying a loss that was palpable throughout the packed stadium. That event didn’t dampen Bill Vukovich and his team though. Racing at speeds over 130mph in his open wheel Kurtis Kraft racer completed 200 laps winning for what would be his first of two consecutive Indy 500 wins. Cheering him on from the pits was chief mechanic Clint Brawner.
Clint would go on to become one of the most legendary racing mechanics of the era - even helping the legendary Mario Andretti win the Indy 500 - and this Wittnauer was gifted to him by Vukovich with one of those early wins that started it all. This Wittnauer doesnt just tell time, it tells history.
The watch itself is in stunning overall condition and its silvered multi-color, multi-scale dial exhibits light signs of aging and patination that we love to see in these authentic period pieces. The manual winding cam actuated chronograph movement feels as crisp today as it did trackside in ‘53 and is ready to go racing into the 21st Century!
*Some marks or spots on the dial are reflections or dust on the crystal and are due to high intensity strobe lighting used while photographing. They are not actually on the watch or visible in natural lighting.
Condition Report & Details
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Shipping, Returns, & Warranty
Every Oliver & Clarke timepiece comes with a one-year mechanical warranty starting from the date of delivery. We ensure all watches are in wonderful working condition and are ready for daily wear. Many have been fully serviced by our team of watchmakers.
Please note:
- Due to the vintage or antique nature of many of our watches, they may not keep time as accurately as when new, nor as precisely as quartz or electronic devices.
- We do not guarantee water resistance and do not warranty against moisture or water damage. Deliberate exposure to water or steam is not recommended.
Warranty Exclusions:
- Internal or external damage caused by accidents, mishandling, abuse, modifications, or services performed by anyone other than our authorized personnel.
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At Oliver & Clarke, we meticulously vet each watch to ensure its authenticity and quality. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and our mission is to help you find the perfect timepiece. If you have any questions, we are here to assist you promptly.
Our Guarantee:
- Each timepiece is thoroughly evaluated, authenticated, and approved by our expert team before it is offered for sale.
- We guarantee the period-correctness of all components unless otherwise stated.
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From Rolex & Patek Philippe, to Cartier & Audemars Piguet. As collectors first, we love the small details that separate the Submariner from Daytona and Calatrava from Royal Oak. This is why you'll find our curated assortment spans decades of generations of models and brands. We believe that watches don't just tell time, they tell history - and life is too short to wear a boring watch.
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