Baselworld 2012:  Like Perrelet, it is really a struggle for me to write about a DeWitt watch these days.  Is it just me, or does the brand need some new mojo?  The designs are very contemporary and/or “art deco” — even this skeleton model you see below — but the watches just seem to lack any sort of vibrancy.  The watch you see here actually has DeWitt’s first manufacture movement in it.  But still I am yawning.    Come to think of it, I don’t recall seeing much if any discussion of DeWitt anywhere in the online watch community lately — why so?  I certainly never hear from the brand. Either they don’t care, or they are clueless, or they are under-resourced, but perhaps it is not such a bad idea to get a bit more engaged, starting online.  How about you — do you like DeWitt?  Would love to hear your thoughts…leave a comment!

DeWitt Twenty-8-Eight Skeleton Tourbillon

43mm rose gold case, skeletonized manually wound manufacture movement with Tourbillon

skeletonized manually wound movement integrating a Tourbillon

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!