In the world of haute horology, there are brands that are world renowned for their rich history, and timepieces that are steeped in tradition, and there are newer brands which became popular due to their technological innovations and fresh new ideas. One of these brands we are happy to carry at Luxury Bazaar is DeWitt, a company that was established in 2003 by Jérôme de Witt in Vandoeuvres, Switzerland.
Since its establishment, DeWitt has seen much success in a very short span of time. The same year DeWitt opened shop they produced their first exceptional timepiece; the Pressy Grande Complication, a watch that had numerous complications, including Tourbillon, minute-repeater, fly-back chronograph and a bi-retrograde perpetual calendar. A mere two years later, DeWitt was awarded the first prize for innovation at the Grand Prix de l’Horlogerie de Genève for its Academia Tourbillon Différentiel. Receiving such an auspicious award so early in the company’s career catapulted them into the limelight in the watch making world.
One timepiece from DeWitt we would like to showcase is the limited edition of 99 pieces Tourbillon Force Constante a Chaine from DeWitt’s Academia collection. Not only does this timepiece look futuristic, but in a sense it is also revolutionary due to the innovations made to the complications it boasts. This timepiece’s complications link horology’s past and future by taking mechanics that have been in existence for many years and inserting additional mechanisms to improve upon longstanding technology.
With the creation of the Tourbillon Force Constante a Chaine DeWitt set out to solve a long standing issue in the horological world; “how can a perfectly regular transmission of energy to a mechanism be ensured?” DeWitt solved this issue by designing the Tourbillon Force Constante a Chaine so that it transmits impulses with energy that always is constant. DeWitt did this by adding three additional wheels to the mechanism; one for gear operation and two other that are situated between the barrel and the Tourbillon.
To finish off the watch’s ultramodern vibe, DeWitt employed a very futuristic quality to the timepiece’s aesthetics. Firstly, the watch’s dial is unlike any other; it has no numbers with which to tell the time. Instead, the watch’s dial showcases the spectacular complications this timepiece has to offer. The rich, chocolate colored, striped dial gives the perfect backdrop for the Tourbillon cage and Constant Force system’s large opening, as well as its power-reserve indication and miniature chain.
Aside from its dial, the rest of the Tourbillon Force Constante a Chaine is very similar to other timepieces. It has a 43mm 18K rose gold case with a sapphire crystal on both the front and back of the watch, and an ornate matte chocolate-brown crocodile leather strap. The strap is secured with an 18K rose gold triple blade deployment clasp engraved with the DeWitt signature. This opulent timepiece has a retail value of $265,000 and is available at Luxury Bazaar for $198,750.
For our full DeWitt watch selection, click here.
And for a upcoming model revealed at the Recent Baselworld event, check out the DeWitt Twenty 8 Eight Skeleton Tourbillon.
