Horological Meandering

Part II: The classical counterpoint: the DeWitt Blue Empire Automatic

 

More in line with what the Meyrin-based company usually creates as demonstration of their capabilities, the DeWitt Blue Empire Automatic - presented in a similar (albeit at 36mm; more than a tad smaller) case than the Classic "Moon Abstraction" I presented on the parent post, it showcases all the wonderful decorative arts and crafts DeWitt houses under its roof:



The version I chose for this article, a steel case with red gold bezel set with 42 round diamonds (approx. 1.63 cts) and also red gold accents on the bracelet, comes with the attractive propositon as a showcase for the small brand's artisanal capabilities - at a smaller price tag:

Crown jewel of this aristocratic tinepiece certainly is the blue guilloché dial with whimsical sunray pattern with 12 very small rose gold colour tone appliques indicating the hours:

What an ocean - certainly, with such a pattern the light has no chance to escape!

An inner bezel, a flange crafted in rose gold colour tone, represents again the DeWitt imperial columns and also frames the tiny hours indices such as to give them more optical weight:

The case again is very similar to the one for the 'Moon Abstraction', but with integrated attachment for the steel/red gold bracelet. This bracelet is of fantastic quality, very solid feeling; hold it and you instantly know it!

Although the watch has a solid case back, it is driven by a mechanical automatic movement - ETA, I guess.

With these two ladies' watches the small manufacture DeWitt has made a clever choise to demonstrate is arts and crafts to the female audience. There are many seriously interesting details on these pieces, which I think make them very worthwhile for a second, intensive look. I maintained it many, many times: watchmaking is much, much more than 'just' being able to manufacture one's own movements.

Mastering the design and the creation of a watch's exterior is no less challenging. With DeWitt, one can appreciate the unfiltered creativity of the founder is real time, and observe its translation into stunning timepieces.

Now, with this year's focus on female pieces, DeWitt exemplarily shows its seriousness in creating watches as artisanal objects with unusual cultural intensity. If one or the other serves at raising the attention of collectors through the wrists of their female partners - I would be in no way surprised!

Thanks for reading,
Magnus


This message has been edited by Ornatus-Mundi on 2016-06-12 07:36:37