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 enterprise 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 truly matter when it comes to Swiss watches.
All timepieces made by DeWitt are issued in minute editions (it is normally 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 minute Seconde. The first is made to the highest spec from whether white or rose gold. Latest editions also highlight titanium in-lays. The gorgeous 43 mm chronograph is presented on an excellent alligator skin strap. Both variations of Academie boast a hand-wind movement and water resistance. The price of such a timepiece can reach even ,000. It is, however, potential to find DeWitt watches at a great price.
Watches
Lena is a bit more modest priced (if ,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 employee completes a safe bet part or detail. In the end, it takes maybe ten or more population to perfect a single watch. This is not something that is appropriate at the DeWitt watches laboratories. Each worker, or should I truly say magician, starts the watch from scratch and builds the sophisticated mechanism up until it is accomplished and ready to be boxed. It is a mighty relationship between a human and a mechanism - a excellent harmony between the technology and passion. When finished, the watchmaker then puts his unique stamp of authenticity on the splendid art object.
Although Academia Chronographe and Lena minute Seconde are both very popular and very regarded timepieces, it was truly the Wx-1 plan 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 gadget that would carry a make reference to planes, houses, boats, cars and modern art at its finest expression. The corollary 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 plan has shown that a new enterprise is not only able to match the established watchmakers but also to up the appropriate and create watches that exhibit a excellent marriage of a cutting-edge technology and excellent modern design.
DeWitt Watches - An Opposition to All Traditions
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