The latest novelty by DeWitt stems from the Academia collection. Among its traits, the one that stands out the most is the manner in which it shows seconds. The timekeeper premiers a new type of display where seconds are indicated on a retrograde scale on which the seconds hand moves in two opposite directions. Otherwise, the watch is distinguished with a satellite system for its power reserve display, as well as with a skeletonized movement with a black gold treatment and a host of high-end finishes and elegant details. DeWitt Academia Skeleton is made in two very similar versions and each of them is presented in a rose gold housing. The price of the newcomer is set at $80,000.
DeWitt Academia Skeleton AC.SKE.001 Watch
The Innovative Seconds Display Enabled with a Clutch System
DeWitt Academia Skeleton introduces a new type of display of its seconds indication which is positioned between six and nine o’clock positions. While there were previously other watches with retrograde seconds, the novelty from the Academia series is still unique. Unlike other similar models where the seconds hand jumps back to the starting position when a half of a minute passes and when the hand reaches the end of a retrograde scale, in this case the hand actually starts moving in the opposite direction. As it moves back to the left, the pointer corresponds to the outer part of the scale. This feature was made possible with the use of a disconnecting gear system that the brand integrated in the caliber. It is certainly not a major horological breakthrough that revolutionizes watchmaking, but it is still a clever innovation which gives a hefty dose of originality to the piece and which makes it stand out.
The Award Winning Trait
Another strongpoint of the beating heart of the watch is its way in which it shows the remaining state of its extended 100-hour worth of power reserve that was enabled with the inclusion of a double spring-barrel. The power storage is shown with an arrow that is placed on a constantly rotating differential. This feature was originally introduced in DeWitt Academia Tourbillon Differentiel which saw the light of day a decade ago. Its charm and success can be demonstrated with the fact that it earned the piece and the brand the Innovation prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneva. The power reserve is placed on the opposite side of the retrograde seconds and it sits at the one o’clock position.
DeWitt Academia Skeleton AC.SKE.002 Watch
In addition to having an original seconds display and an award-winning satellite principle of power reserve indication, supported Caliber DW1105S is also open-worked, as the name of the model suggests. As it is expected for a skeletonized movement, the caliber with a black gold treatment displays demanding finishes, such as bridges with chamfered inner angles. Other hand-performed decorations include satin-brushed surfaces, circular graining, as well as gear wheels that are carved in relief that underline the three-dimensional structure of the ensemble.
Moreover, it should be said that Caliber DW1105S is a manually-wound mechanical movement. It features 50 jewels and it integrates a total amount of 263 components in its construction. When it comes to the operational rate of the caliber, it is set at somewhat slower pace of a 21,600 vph. The diameter of the circular movement is 36.6 mm. As all of the DeWitt movements, it completely developed and made in-house. The manufacturer from Geneva likes to point out the fact that it is among just 18 brands that able to create completely proprietary movements.
Rose Gold Case and Slight Differences among Two Variants
DeWitt Academia Skeleton is placed in a round housing made of 18 K rose gold. The case is 42.5 mm wide and just 10.3 mm thick. Surrounded with a fixed bezel, there is a sapphire crystal at the front side. This is the same material that was made to create the transparent section on the rear side that allows even better look on the functioning of the watch’s caliber. The timekeeper by the brand which is headed with a direct descendant of Napoleon is water resistant to 30 meters.
DeWitt Academia Skeleton AC.SKE.001 Watch
Since the newcomer from the Academia series features an open-worked movement, there is no dial in a traditional sense. Its only elements are a black gold flange with applied red gold hour markers (the skeletonized lance-shaped hands are in the same material) which is accompanied with the scales for the retrograde seconds and the power reserve. The colorization of these two sub-dials is the only difference among the two supported variants of the newcomer. While the version with the reference number AC.SKE.001 features these elements in rose gold color, the one with the reference number AC.SKE.002 is made with the same components in silver shade.
The watch is coupled with a brown alligator strap that fastens with a folding clasp made from rose gold to match the material of the housing.
