A new and sportier collection from DeWitt…

While I was not at all impressed by Montres DeWitt’s new Twenty-8 Eight watch, the brand has officially unveiled a new collection – the “Blackstream” collection – that is worth a closer look.  The collection is intended to appeal to a younger (but surely still wealthy) clientele seeking a somewhat sportier watch and while the watches do look kinda sophisticated and luxuriously sporty, I wish there was a bit more of a “wow” factor.  DeWitt indicated that it has drawn inspiration from aviation and auto racing themes for the Blackstream watches, but I would say the influence is definitely subtle aka barely discernible, in my view.  The features that I like most about these watches are its fine sunray pattern on the dial and also the open-worked hands in the shape of a two-edged sword.  The dissociated date (on the Triple Complication GMT3 (below), however, does not appeal to me in the least.

What do you think?  Any DeWitt owners/fans out there care to weigh in with a comment?  I’d love to hear from you.

DeWitt Academa Blackstream Triple Complication GMT3

44mm case w/titanium and PVD treatment, black rubber or alligator strap, limited edition 250 pieces

DeWitt Academia Blackstream Chronograph

44 mm case constructed of titanium with black PVD treatment, black alligator or rubber strap, limited edition 250 pieces

Wish I could say that this new piece by Montres DeWitt has me itching to buy, but I can’t.  According to the brand, “the Twenty-8-Eight pays tribute to the 28 Floréal, the day on which the Senate of Republican France proclaimed Napoleon Bonaparte – Jérôme DeWitt’s illustrious ancestor – as “Emperor of the French people”.”  OK sure whatever makes you happy.  And to think that it was not a coincidence that the Twenty-8-Eight was designed on … 28 August…I should love this watch even more?  For such an infamous day you think they would have at least taken time to make sure the event was on the August 28th’s Wikipedia page (yes, every day of the year has its own Wikipedia page, did you know?).  Long live 8-28!

Limited edition of 500.  The case is pink gold, 43mm diameter.  The inner dial has some sort of a black radiating velvety flambe pattern.  500 pieces will be made.  For the $15,000 or so this watch will probablycost, I can think of many, many more attractive and interesting timepieces, but hey, that’s just me!

Drug Lords Like Hublot, DeWitt, Cartier – or Anything Diamond Bezeled and Ostentatious!

The Wall Street Journal reporter John Lyons ran an interesting story last week about the odd items seized by Mexican authorities from drug lords.  Of course my interest here is the watches, and I found this picture of a tray of seized watches rather fascinating – unless I am mistaken (which is entirely possible!), there looks to be 2 Hublot Big Bangs, a DeWitt, a Cartier, a Breitling, a Corum Golden Bridge, a Panerai for Ferrari, and a  Jacob & Co. in that tray, among others!  Read the entire curious article here, and watch the video here, or see a slideshow here (all part of the WSJ story).  CRAZY!

Feel free to weigh-in with a comment if you can identify any more of the watches.

Photo credit John Lyons/The Wall Street Journal.