MOVEMENT: Modified Asia 23J Automatic Chronograph (Decorated Rotor) CASE DIAMETER: 44mm THICKNESS: 12mm DIAL COLOR: Green MOP Dial with Centered White MOP Design Dial with Diamond Crested Numerals CASE MATERIAL: Solid Stainless Steel 316L BRACELET: Leather Strap with buckle FRONT GLASS: Sapphire Crystal BACK GLASS: Sapphire Display Caseback with detailed engraving on case rims BEZEL: Diamond Crested Bezel & Lugs HACK MOVEMENT: CLASP TYPE: Normal Buckle DATE INDICATOR: GMT HAND: OTHER REMARKS: Water Resistant Functional Retrograding 60 Seconds Subdial at 6:00 Fan Subdial

MOVEMENT: Modified Asia 23J Automatic Chronograph (Decorated Rotor) CASE DIAMETER: 44mm THICKNESS: 12mm DIAL COLOR: Green MOP Dial with Centered White MOP Design Dial with Diamond Crested Numerals CASE MATERIAL: 18K RG Thick Plated (5 mils) Solid Stainless Steel 316L BRACELET: Leather Strap with buckle FRONT GLASS: Sapphire Crystal BACK GLASS: Sapphire Display Caseback with detailed engraving on case rims BEZEL: Diamond Crested Bezel & Lugs HACK MOVEMENT: CLASP TYPE: Normal Buckle DATE INDICATOR: GMT HAND: OTHER REMARKS: Water Resistant Functional Retrograding 60 Seconds Subdial at 6:00 Fan Subdial

DeWitt has few watch series as having a history of 6 years. However, no one will look down upon this brand which is established by the the later generation of Napoleon brothers. DeWitt made an instant hit at the very beginning and is still highly hot today. Will DeWitt keep its popularity? Here come four watch models from DeWitt.

Academia Tourbillon Force Constante Rubies
Academia Tourbillon Force Constante Rubies was launched in 2006 and became the representative work of DeWitt. All mechanical movement produce different torque force when spring drum tenses and relaxes. The torque force discrepancy may cause the inaccuracy of watch. The watch-makers from DeWitt created the constant force system and solved the said problem. The system has gotten patent and pushed DeWitt to another high at the same time.
Academia Tourbillon Force Constant uses DW 8003 manual wound movement. The constant force system, firstly, collects power through a group of cross inertia wheels and store it into a constant force mechanism. Then it passes the power once per 10 seconds to tourbillon system to drive the spring at the bottom of cross inertia wheel to ensure that the force power sent to the tourbillon keeps constant.
On the dial, there shows the constant power window at 8 o’clock while the tourbillon window appears at 5 o’clock. The hour-minute dial is located at 12 o’clock. When first introduced in 2006, the watch had only platinum case and was limited to 25 pieces. In 2007, the 18k rose gold and white gold versions were added to the collection with delicate hand-carved grid patterns. Diamond may be inlaid on the bezel, case, lug, crown and buckle of these two models. In addition, there is a model features white gold case with rubies decoration. Any compliment pales before the beauty of those rubies. The only pity is that to set rubies, DeWitt’s iconic “imperial pillar” bezel and case has been abandoned.
Academia Quantieme Perpetual Sport
If you are tired of the shape of regular perpetual calendar watch, the Academia Quantieme Perpetual Sport may be a nice solution. This perpetual calendar watch is powered by DW 7004 automatic movement which has Geneva seal. The dial has equipped with traditional three hands at the center, date and day of week display at 3 and 5 respectively, moon phase at 6 and month and leap year indicator at 12. The dial is presented on carbon fibre while date and day of week indicators receive skeleton treatment. The case is made from titanium, rubber and 18k white gold. The sapphire crystal case back reveals the movement.

Acadenua Chronographe Sequentiel Sport
How to get one chronograph watch that could highlight your own personality when there are so many chronograph watches in the market? Acadenus Chronographe Sequentiel Sport, the chronograph from DeWitt, makes it stand out with a delicate small seconds dial at 9 o”clock with target design. Connecting to the small seconds is a fan design that looks like windmill. When small seconds subdial runs, it shows a scene of movement. The 43mm case is crafted from titanium and is adorned with 18k rose gold and rubber. Either black or white rubber strap is available for this exquisite and sporty chronograph.

La Dame De Pressy
In 2006, Claude D. Proellochs, the general counsel of DeWitt, said that DeWitt would launch classic and traditional ladies watch. La Dame de Pressy is the one. Its tonneau 18k white gold case houses a manual wound skeleton movement whose plate has exquisite engravings. The whole watch is set with 484 Diamonds, amount to 4.3 carats. La Dame de Pressy is limited to 25 pieces.

Following its recent move to Meyrin, at the beginning of November DeWitt inaugurated its new building, complete with a museum housing numerous machines of yesteryear.

Established initially in 2003 in Vandoeuvres, DeWitt has grown consistently since that time. In 2007 it set up its headquarters in Vernier in premises which after only one year proved too small. At the beginning of 2008, Jérôme de Witt sketched out a much larger blueprint and moved to the heart of the industrial zone of Meyrin-Satigny: 5,000 m2 spread over three floors. On 6 November this year, the firm inaugurated its new premises, as well as a space set aside for history, dedicated to the watchmaking expertise of bygone years.

Located in the entrance hall, the museum straight away immerses the visitor in the fascinating world of watchmaking history. In a warm and intimate atmosphere, it offers one of the largest collections in the world of tools – more than 250 pieces in total – retracing nearly three centuries of artisanal watchmaking. Collected by Jérôme de Witt over the years through auctions or chance finds in watchmaking workshops, these extraordinary pieces date from the 17th century through to the early 20th century, a period when all watch manufacturing processes were carried out entirely by hand. Displayed very elegantly, these machines underline the national heritage of watchmaking craftsmanship by presenting the different stages of production of a mechanical timepiece. Within this space one can find gear-wheel cutters – ancestors of the lathe – used in the 1680s, rolling-mills and also lapping-machines. Rose-engines dating from the 18th and 19th centuries also enrich the collection. Through its commitment to sustaining the traditions of the art of watchmaking, DeWitt is today one of the only watch manufacturers in the world to continue the artisanal tradition of engine-turning on machines infused with a rich heritage.

In the centre of the museum the firm also presents its own creations, fruit of the imagination of Jérôme de Witt, displaying technical adroitness, extreme attention to detail, exquisite finishing and absolute respect for artisanal Swiss workmanship. These requirements, combined with constant vigilance in production, give DeWitt timepieces a character of excellence enabling the firm to position itself at the very top end of the market. Mention should be made of the Pressy Grande Complication of 2003, the Academia Tourbillon Différentiel which in 2005 won the Innovation Prize at the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix, and the Tourbillon Academia Force Constante of 2006, to name but a few.

To attain such a high level in the design of its watches, DeWitt has naturally equipped itself with an inventory of ultra-modern machines on the first floor of the new building. A team of exceptionally well qualified men and women (85 at present) are actively involved in the manufacture and marketing of watches.

Forever eager to explore new horizons, it will be remembered that Jérôme de Witt decided to strengthen his growth strategy by handing over the reins of the firm last April to Nathalie Veysset, an expert in corporate management. Since then, he has devoted all of his time to designing new models and taken on the role of ambassador for his firm.

The career of Jérôme de Witt has little of the conventional about it. The great grandson of Léopold II of Belgium, he is the direct descendant, after five generations, of King Jérôme of Westphalia, brother of the Emperor Napoleon 1st. The imperial family has a long-standing love of fine timepieces. In 1798, before departing for the Egyptian campaign, Napoleon Bonaparte bought three pieces from a watchmaker by the name of Abraham-Louis Breguet. This initial acquisition marked the beginning of a long collaboration. In 1810, Breguet created the very first wristwatch in history for the Queen of Naples, Caroline Murat, sister of Napoleon 1st. Over the years, the imperial family built up an extraordinary collection of timepieces, added to by King Jérôme of Westphalia, a true watchmaking connoisseur, and later by Napoleon III. This heritage is today partly in the hands of Jérôme de Witt. One therefore understands better why, in 2000, the latter decided to create his own watch manufactory.

Tourbillon Force Constante with chain

At the time of its launch in 2006, the Tourbillon Force Constante made the headlines by providing an answer to a question as old as the mechanical movement itself: how to assure perfectly regular transmission of energy to the mechanism?

Today, DeWitt introduces a dazzling innovation to this exceptional timepiece by creating a system of energy relays to the power reserve indicator. Rotation of the crown, when the mainspring is wound, drives a miniature chain. The latter, whose 192 pieces are shaped and assembled entirely by hand, actuates the power reserve indicator by means of an intermediate wheel sliding over a worm screw. Positioned in the red zone the pointer indicates a reserve close to zero, as opposed to the green zone which indicates that the mainspring is adequately wound.

This ingenious mechanism (patented DW 8050 self-winding mechanical calibre) is rivalled only by the aesthetic appeal of the piece: the dial reveals through its openings the complexity of the mechanism and its different components, with the chain breathtakingly enhancing its overall balance. The visual harmony radiated by this timepiece goes beyond the world of engineering in the pure sense, giving it great depth of character.

When we talk about Swiss watches, what is the first thing that comes to your mind?
Is it “tradition“? Forget about traditions. It is not very often that new watchmakers enter the sophisticated rounds of Swiss Haute Horlogerie - the world that is dominated by old and established brands. Still, designer Jerome DeWitt took the courage and dared the cult of tradition by launching his own company that would do things differently. DeWitt watches made a debut at the Basel World fair in 2003. Now in 2009 just short of its six-year anniversary, the young watchmaker has not only survived the fierce competition but also proved that traditions do not really matter when it comes to Swiss watches.

All timepieces made by DeWitt are issued in limited editions (it is usually just 99 items per series) and regardless of the high prices, it is quite difficult to meet the demand. The watchmaker’s most popular series are Academia Chronographe and Lena Petite Seconde. The first is made to the highest spec from either white or rose gold. Newest editions also feature titanium in-lays. The beautiful 43 mm chronograph is presented on an exquisite alligator skin strap. Both variations of Academie boast a hand-wind movement and water resistance. The price of such a timepiece can reach even $50,000. It is, however, possible to find DeWitt watches at a better price.

Lena is a bit more modest priced (if $10,000 is modest for you) - it has a 48mm stainless steel case and an automatic movement.

Many of the current high-end watchmakers, despite the richness of traditions and a spotless image, use an improvised conveyor, where each worker completes a certain part or detail. In the end, it takes maybe ten or more people to complete a single watch. This is not something that is acceptable at the DeWitt watches laboratories. Each worker, or should I really say magician, starts the watch from scratch and builds the sophisticated mechanism up until it is finished and ready to be boxed. It is a marvelous relationship between a human and a mechanism - a perfect harmony between the technology and passion. When finished, the watchmaker then puts his unique stamp of authenticity on the amazing art object.

Although Academia Chronographe and Lena Petite Seconde are both very popular and highly regarded timepieces, it was really the WX-1 concept that made the world talking about the young Swiss watchmaker. To celebrate their 5th anniversary in 2008, Jerome de Witt teamed up with his architect friend Jean-Michel Wilmotte to create a device that would carry a design reference to planes, houses, boats, cars and contemporary art at its finest expression. The result was nothing like a usual watch - the time is read off on two rotating discs. The minutes disc is rotating clockwise and the hours disc goes anti-clockwise. The daring WX-1 concept has shown that a new company is not only able to match the established watchmakers but also to up the standard and create watches that exhibit a perfect marriage of a cutting-edge technology and exquisite contemporary design.