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AUTOMATIC
Featuring a case slightly thinner than that of the Academia as well as more discreet columns, the Twenty-8-Eight collection launched in 2010 offers a sleek and urban design of comfortable proportions. The dials of the Twenty-8-Eight Automatic are artistically divided into two guilloché zones. The central flame pattern is remarkably precise and lends this model a radiance and elegance unique for this category of watch.

This year, our timepieces feature new cases whose subtle blend of materials is thoroughly innovative. Soft and supple 18-carat rose gold coexists in perfect harmony with grade 5 Neotitanium, with its combination of extreme lightness and robustness. Showcased in its
43 mm case, this new timepiece is clad in tones of velvet black and taupe, bringing illumination to every wrist.

TWENTY-8-EIGHT AUTOMATIC – SUNSHINE ON YOUR WRIST
The Twenty-8-Eight Automatic is a lively and sunny timepiece, remarkably refined and sober. The face of the watch is artistically divided in two different guilloché zones. In the centre, a light flame pattern endows the dial with incredible life as the slightest wrist movement will animate the flames in graceful reflections. The second pattern, at the perimeter, takes the form of a regular and reassuring sunray that structures the whole design. Flames and sunrays are separated by a fine circle applique that gives a final touch of shiny elegance and echoes the thin and polished columns on the bezel.

Time has never been more readable as large Roman numerals are positioned on the four cardinal points and discretely interconnected by small Arabic numerals positioned at five minutes intervals.

With its 43 mm round case in 18-carat rose gold and grade 5 Neotitanium, the design of the Twenty-8-Eight collection gives a fascinating impression of lightness.

Elegant and streamlined lugs round off the design with perfect proportions and offer remarkable wearing comfort. However, the strong DNA, so characteristic of DeWitt watches, remains fully recognisable.

SOLID AND RELIABLE, WITH PERFECT FINISHING
The Twenty-8-Eight Automatic houses a solid and reliable calibre and displays hours, minutes and centre seconds. The hours and minutes hands are open-worked and in the shape of
two-edged swords whereas the seconds hand, elegant and thin, gracefully glides round the dial. The Twenty-8-Eight Automatic fully complies with highly demanding finishing norms of the DeWitt
Manufacture: satin-brushed surfaces, polishing and bevelling. The quality of the finishing can be observed through the sapphire crystal back, which also reveals a fine DeWitt rotor, designed in-house.

Two miniature “W” signatures are to be found on the crown and on the golden buckle. Last but not least, just as any DeWitt watch, it is entirely assembled, adjusted and tested by a single master watchmaker, from A to Z.

INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES
Originally used in the aerospace industry, grade 5 Neotitanium is a new metal whose hardness is ten times superior to that of grade 5 Titanium. Used in fields as varied as surgery and Formula 1, it now also finds a place in the Twenty-8-Eight Automatic.

The material is treated directly with electro-plasma or micro-arc plasma and anodised, and not only on the surface. In fact, the piece is plunged into a high-amperage bath, a process giving it formidable properties such as excellent impact resistance, lighter weight, and a significant reduction in seizure problems as well as the elimination of all traces when touched.

A groundbreaking process that demonstrates, once again, the constant innovation at work with DeWitt watches.

An innovative process that demonstrates, once again, the constantly fresh audacity of DeWitt watches

NEW IN 2012

Rose gold/neo titanium and velvet black - Ref. T8.AU.011

Thanks to the volumes and reliefs of its different guilloché areas, the galvanic black reveals astonishing depths. The figures and circle in rose gold applique light up the entire piece.


Rose gold/neo titanium & taupe - Ref. T8.AU.013

The central lozenge with its guilloché flame motif absorbs the light and enhances the sunrays around the rim. This slightly sportier piece creates an effect of disquieting elegance through its highly successful blend of rose gold, grade 5 Neotitanium and taupe. The rose gold hands add a soft contrast and balance the design of the watch. Numerals and circle in rose gold applique.


SECONDE RETROGRADE
A WORTHY HEIR
The Seconde Retrograde, launched in 2003, was one of the principal models of the DeWitt collections. It rapidly made its mark and became a best-seller while the brand was still new. The model was the product of considerable research into harmony and aesthetics, and was introduced in an Academia case. Now the Manufacture is paying a tribute to this watch by revealing a more classical, refined facet of its personality.

The Seconde Retrograde is presented in a slightly thinner Twenty-8-Eight case that gives a fascinating impression of lightness. 43 mm in diameter with the classical columns located more discreetly on the sides, this case suits the watch perfectly. The gentle horns offer real comfort on the wrist, while the bezel and case middle are polished and micro-blasted to create a subtle play of light that brings this new design alive.

The materials work together beautifully to produce an effect of classicism tempered with innovation. The soft and malleable 18K rose gold contrasts with the robust energy of the grade 5 Neotitanium to give a new face to the Seconde Retrograde, a watch that represents a genuine evolution without losing the essential spirit of the originals.

A TRANQUIL EXPRESSION OF TIME
The size and relief of the different guilloché areas gives the galvanic black dial a fascinating depth of colour, the perfect background for the rose gold appliques that float as if suspended on an invisible wire. As a result, the dial of the Twenty-8-Eight Seconde Retrograde comes to life with every movement of the wrist.

The luminous rays in the centre are like suns that fill the decor with warmth. The eye is drawn towards the interior zone and the seconds display at 6 o'clock starts its elegant ballet: on reaching the end of the arc, the hand jumps carefully back to zero and starts the dance again. This display is enhanced even more by the delicate flames in the design of the small retrograde dial, waving gently as if wafted by a summer breeze.

It is a playful animation that people never get tired of watching.

The open-work hour and minute hands are in the form of a double-edged sword. The large Roman numerals at the four points of the compass are interspersed by small Arabic numbers. Together, they make it a pleasure to read the time.

This very special dial is protected by an interior anti-reflective crystal with a double translucent coating.

ATTENTION TO DETAIL
The Twenty-8-Eight Seconde Retrograde is powered by Calibre DW1102, a self-winding mechanical movement with an Agenhor retrograde second module. Its frequency of 28,000 vibrations per hour gives it a very high degree of precision that, together with its solid 40-hour power reserve, ensures this model will appeal to all lovers of exceptional mechanical watches.

The alternating brushed, polished and micro-blasted finishes show the care that has been lavished on this new watch. With its precision guillochage and components finished by hand, the Twenty-8-Eight Seconde Retrograde offers just as many subtle touches of quality as the previous models.

And lastly, as with every DeWitt watch, each Twenty-8-Eight Retrograde Second is assembled, adjusted and tested from A to Z by a single master watchmaker.

INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES
First developed for use in the aerospace industry, Grade 5 Neotitanium is a new metal that is ten times harder than Grade 5 titanium. After being successfully introduced into other fields, such as surgery and Formula 1 racing, it now finds itself in the Twenty-8-Eight Seconde Retrograde.

It is produced by an electro plasma or micro-arc plasma anodising process that acts within the material and not simply on the surface. The component is immersed in a bath and subjected to a high-voltage electric current which gives it valuable properties, such as excellent shock-resistance and lighter weight. It also significantly reduces gripping problems and eliminates all hand or finger marks. The use of this innovative process shows, once again, the boldness and daring of Dewitt watches.


TOURBILLON
The Twenty-8-Eight Tourbillon, first launched in 2010, marked a turning point for DeWitt thanks to its calibre DW8028, incorporating the first 100% Manufacture Tourbillon movement. Its construction tends towards the classical, based on tried and tested technical parameters: 18’000 A/h, 72 hours power reserve and a spiral with a Breguet curve sequenced at 2.5 Hz.

This year's highlight is the innovative blend of materials, with a 43 mm round case in
rose gold and grade 5 Neotitanium offering remarkable lightness and robustness. Its contrasting two-tone face in anthracite grey and a galvanic black highlights the relief and draws the gaze into the very heart of the movement. The accuracy and finishing levels applied individually to each of the 27 components of the dial are a genuine work of craftsmanship.

INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES
Originally used in the aerospace industry, grade 5 Neotitanium is a new metal whose hardness is ten times superior to that of grade 5 Titanium. Used in fields as varied as surgery and Formula 1, it now also finds a place in the Twenty-8-Eight Tourbillon.

The material is treated directly with electro-plasma or micro-arc plasma and anodised, and not only on the surface. In fact, the piece is plunged into a high-amperage bath, a process giving it formidable properties such as excellent impact resistance, lighter weight, and a significant reduction in seizure problems as well as the elimination of all traces when touched.

A groundbreaking process that demonstrates, once again, the constant innovation at work with DeWitt watches.

An innovative process that demonstrates, once again, the constantly fresh audacity of DeWitt watches.

STRENGTH AND FINESSE – A DESIGN ABOUT DUALITY
The dial of the Twenty-8-Eight Tourbillon is all about duality! The set of columns on the upper part, create a very masculine and imposing Art Deco effect with a futuristic touch, while also evoking the image of the front of a powerful 1930’s steam engine. The lower part of the dial opens up into a large and beautiful circle symbolising wholeness, the infinite nature of energy and... the power of the feminine.

However large the opening, the entrance into the heart of the beating movement is protected by a semi-transparent grille that intrigues us all the more and offers a glimpse of the tourbillon visibly beating inside.

The pattern represented on the dial is a large radiating sunray that reaches right out to the sides. It is divided into two different colour zones as the Roman and Arabic numerals are placed on a circular applique in rose gold that extends over the whole dial.

Finally, for perfect balance, two hands (hours and minutes) are positioned in the centre of the dial in the shape of swords. Two little “children” appliques, each bearing shiny rings, were finally placed at 3 and 9 o’clock.

A SIGNATURE PLATE FOR THE MASTER WATCHMAKER
The Twenty-8-Eight Tourbillon fully complies with the very demanding finishing norms of the DeWitt Manufacture. Entirely hand-made, the finishing is here of a rare quality and can be observed through the sapphire crystal back. Meticulously angled, polished and satin-finished, the barrel and cage-bridges are finely decorated with Côtes de Genève. Two miniature “W” signatures are to be found on the crown and on the golden buckle.

A little plate, bearing the signature of the master watchmaker and placed on the barrel-bridge, further witnesses the pride and affection put into the creation of each timepiece. A direct connection is therefore established between the client and the watchmaker behind his work of art. Indeed, one particularity of DeWitt, so essential to the final quality achieved for the product, is that every watch is entirely assembled, adjusted and tested by a single master watchmaker, from A to Z.

CLASSICALLY AUDACIOUS
Offering a subtle combination of character and refinement, the design of the Twenty-8-Eight collection is sober and balanced. Presenting a slightly thinner case (10.28 mm) than the Academia collection as well as more discrete columns on its flanks, the Twenty-8-Eight collection gives a fascinating impression of lightness. The bezel is particularly interesting as its diamond-set and sand-blasted columns provide eye-catching reflections. Elegant and streamlined satin-finished lugs round off the design with perfect proportions and offer a remarkable wearing comfort. However, the strong DNA, so characteristic of DeWitt watches, remains fully recognisable.


SKELETON TOURBILLON
SHOW ME YOUR MANUFACTURE!
How detailed, how complex, and how perfectly finished are DeWitt dials? The first two declinations of the Twenty-8-Eight Tourbillon gave a perfect demonstration of what DeWitt’s in-house dial-making unit is capable of releasing. But today, time has come to focus on the mechanics and to proudly and fully exhibit another segment of the Manufacture’s know-how: movement construction. Therefore, what better than a skeleton watch revealing DeWitt’s historical DW8028, the first 100% Manufacture movement?

DW8028 – NEVER CHANGE A WINNING TEAM
The DeWitt calibre DW8028 uses age-old, recognized and highly reliable technical parameters in its construction: 18’000 A/h, a variable-inertia balance, a 44° angle escapement and 72 hours power reserve. Why change a winning team?

Entirely produced in-house, this manually wound Tourbillon is equipped with a Swiss anchor escapement and a Straumann Hairspring® with Phillips terminal curve made out of an unbreakable, self-compensating, non-oxidizing, anti-magnetic alloy and sequenced at 2.5 Hz. The perfect homogeneity and incredibly precise flat rolling of the Hairspring (0,0001 mm) guarantee an extremely high precision to the mechanism.

The balance, as well as the escape wheel and the anchor are made of 18-carat yellow gold.

ARCHITECTURAL STRENGTH AND FINESSE
The Twenty-8-Eight Skeleton Tourbillon does not intend to compete with the ultra-skinny and fragile skeletons where as much material as possible was taken out of the construction. The architecture of DeWitt’s skeleton remains deliberately strong and is therefore very well balanced with the design of the case which features 48 imperial columns. A typical feature of practically all DeWitt masterpieces.

The carved-out main plate, a sand-brushed nickel silver base with black gold surface finishing and a yellow gold inscription of the calibre reference, is a marvellous labyrinth of curves, circles and straight lines. Meandering across the movement, the lucky observer will suddenly land on a stunning skeletonised “W” logo positioned at 9 o’clock. The play on depths, perspectives and layers is a typical feature of DeWitt designs and the Twenty-8-Eight Skeleton Tourbillon is no exception. The skeletonised “W” logo is actually duplicated on the lower part of the movement in order to offer these interesting volumes when admiring the movement from either side of the watch.

But however robust the foundations, your eyes will inevitably be dragged deep into the movement and the captivating finesse of its ticking mechanics. You will marvel at the Tourbillon as it gracefully rotates on its axis, held in place by a long, slender and circular-grained Art Déco bridge.

VINTAGE CAR STEERING WHEEL
The barrel, positioned at 12 o’clock, is also skeletonised in order to reveal the interior of the motor.

The shape given to the open-worked barrel was inspired by the design of vintage car steering wheels. As the barrel wheel gently turns with the unwinding of the spring, the stems of the upper part will glide over the stems of the lower part. Yet another interesting play on layers by DeWitt.

A SUCCESSFUL WEDDING
The Twenty-8-Eight Skeleton Tourbillon is housed in a 43 mm round case made in 18-carat rose gold (white gold for the Haute Joaillerie version). With a thickness of 10.78 mm, it is thinner than the Academia collection. Presenting particularly comfortable proportions with redesigned lugs and slightly more discrete imperial columns displayed on its flanks, it remains instantly recognizable and true to DeWitt’s strong DNA. Its balanced design offers the necessary combination of character and refinement for a successful wedding with the architectural lines of the skeleton movement.

On the interior side of the bezel, and surrounding the entire movement at a slight angle, a diamond-polished wall in 18-carat rose gold provides amazing reflections of the skeleton movement. The wall is decorated by four extremely precise and sharp “W” logos, displayed at the cardinal points. In the Haute Joaillerie version, the 18-carat white gold wall is additionally decorated with eight brilliant-cut diamonds, thus highlighting the hour indicators.

A BEZEL THAT DAZZLES
The Twenty-8-Eight Skeleton Tourbillon fully complies with the very demanding finishing norms of the DeWitt Manufacture. Entirely hand-made, the treatment and finishing-work on this piece are of a rare quality. Case, plate, bridges, wheels and even miniature screws are all angled, polished, satin-finished and treated to perfection in the patient and meticulous hands of our watchmakers. Particularly eye-catching is the alternation of polished and satin-brushed finishing on the columns of the bezel. It dazzles!

Last but not least, a particularity of all watches coming out of the DeWitt Manufacture, and an essential ingredient to the final quality and DeWitt signature stamp: every watch is entirely assembled, adjusted and tested by a single master watchmaker, from A to Z.


Original Language: English