Kong
[Moderator]
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DeWitt Twenty-8-Eight Tourbillon – 100% Manufacture!
With the
Twenty-8-Eight Tourbillon, first released in 2010, DeWitt took a major
step forward as the calibre DW8028 was its first entirely home-made
Tourbillon movement. A landmark in the history of the brand showcasing
yet again the depth of its know-how and its autonomy.
DW8028 - solid and reliable
The
DeWitt calibre DW8028 is a manually wound movement integrating a solid
and reliable Tourbillon mechanism. Its construction is rather classical,
using age-old and recognized technical parameters as a basis: 18’000
A/h, 72 hours power reserve. The movement is equipped with a Swiss
anchor escapement with a variable-inertia balance and a spiral with a
Breguet curve sequenced at 2.5 Hz.
The balance, as well as the escape wheel and the anchor are made of 18 carat yellow gold.
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.
Also, 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.
Strength and Finesse – a design about duality
The
dial of the Twenty-8-Eight Tourbillon is all about duality! On the
upper part, a set of columns compose a very masculine and imposing Art
Deco construction with a futuristic touch. It also sends us 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 symbolizing wholeness, the
infinite nature of energy and... female power.
However large
the opening, the entrance into the heart of the beating movement is
protected by a semi-transparent grille that only intrigues us more on
what is happening inside.
The underlying pattern represented on
the dial is a large radiating sunray that reaches right out to the
sides. It is divided in two different colour zones as the Roman and
Arabic numerals are placed on a Rhodium or Palladium circular applique
that embraces the whole dial.
For a perfect balance and because the Twenty-8-Eight Tourbillon is all about duality, only two hands (hours and minutes) are positioned in the centre of the dial in the shape of swards. Two little “children” appliques, each bearing shiny rings, were finally placed at 3 and 9 o’clock.
Classically Audacious
The Twenty-8-Eight Tourbillon is a “classically audacious” masterpiece with a 43 mm round case made in 18 carat white or rose gold and presents particularly comfortable proportions. 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 polished and satin-finished columns provide eye-catching reflections. Elegant and streamlined lugs achieve to complete the design with perfect proportions and offer a remarkable comfort of wearing. However, the strong DNA, so characteristic of DeWitt watches, remains fully recognizable.
Twenty-8-Eight Tourbillon: Audaciously Classical tonality variations
2011 NOVELTY
Rose gold & black - Ref. T8.TH.004
A warm and welcoming atmosphere with a black-anthracite face that gracefully contrasts with a light, creamy-couloured circle applique in Palladium. Numerals, hands and central construction in rose gold.
White gold & mysterious blue - Ref. T8.TH.005
More than any other, this variation is all about light and reflections. Not twice in the same day will it display the same blue! The centre displays a darker, “galvanic” blue, whereas the circle applique presents more turquoise, “rhodium” blue tonalities. Rhodium plated numerals and hands.
Calibre:
|
Movement |
Mechanical manually wound movement integrating a Tourbillon manufactured by DeWitt |
|
Functions |
Hours, minutes |
|
Reference |
DW8028 |
|
Power reserve |
72 hours |
|
Introduction |
2010 |
|
Vibrations |
18’000 A/h |
|
Balance |
Variable-inertia balance |
|
Spiral |
Spiral with Breguet curve sequenced at 2.5 Hz. |
|
Escapement |
44° angle of lift |
|
Jewelling |
19 jewels |
|
Diameter |
14,6’’ (33 mm) |
|
Total height |
7,45 mm |
|
Number of components |
185 |
Case:
|
Case |
Round-shaped, adorned with DeWitt’s imperial columns pattern on the flanks |
|
Material |
18-carat white or rose gold |
|
Diameter |
43 mm |
|
Total thickness |
10,28 mm |
|
Crown |
18-carat white or rose gold polished crown adorned with a ring made in blackened titanium featuring the “W” signature |
|
Distance between lugs |
21 mm |
|
Case back |
Sapphire crystal, secured with screws |
Dial:
|
Dial |
Central construction composed of columns and opening up into a large circle embracing the Tourbillon movement. Semi-transparent grille reducing the opening. Large radiating sunray pattern divided in two colour tonalities. Rhodium or Palladium circular applique at the perimeter on which Roman and Arabic numerals are placed. Two “children” appliques at 3 and 9 o’clock. |
|
Hands |
Hours and Minutes: Open-worked hands in the shape of two-edged swords |
Wristband:
|
Wristband |
Alligator leather in different colour tonalities |
|
Buckle |
18-carat white or rose gold, triple blade folding clasp, polished, engraved “W” signature |
Other:
|
Water-resistance |
30 meters |
This message has been edited by Kong on 2011-05-27 10:16:14