The Twenty-8-Eight Automatic is a lively and sunny timepiece, remarkably refined and sober. The face of the watch is artistically divided in two different guilloché zones. In the centre, a light flame pattern provides incredible life to the dial as the slightest wrist movement will animate the flames in graceful reflections. The second pattern, at the perimeter, takes the form of a regular and reassuring sunray that structures the whole design. Flames and sunrays are separated by a fine circle applique that gives a final touch of shiny elegance and echoes the thin and polished columns on the bezel.
Time has never been more readable as large Roman numerals are positioned on the four cardinal points and discretely interconnected by small Arabic numerals positioned at five minutes intervals.
The Twenty-8-Eight Automatic is an “urban classic” with a 43 mm round case made in 18-carat white or rose gold. 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.
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.
The Twenty-8-Eight Automatic houses a solid and reliable calibre and displays hours, minutes and centre seconds. The hours and minutes hands are open-worked and in the shape of two-edged swords whereas the seconds hand, elegant and thin, gracefully glides round the dial.
The Twenty-8-Eight Automatic fully complies with very demanding finishing norms of the DeWitt Manufacture: satin-brushed surfaces, polishing and bevelling. The quality of the finishing can be observed through the sapphire crystal back, which also unveils a fine DeWitt rotor, designed in-house.
Also, two miniature “W” signatures are to be found on the crown and on the golden buckle. Last but not least, just as any DeWitt watch, it is entirely assembled, adjusted and tested by a single master watchmaker, from A to Z.
Twenty-8-Eight Automatic 2011 Novelties
Rose Gold & Chocolate-Brown, Ref. T8.AU.53.003: The warm and welcoming DeWitt chocolate-brown in two different tonalities, with rose gold numerals, circle applique and hands.
White Gold & Blue, Ref. T8.AU.48.005: A summery, “blue jeans” version with light blue waves in the centre and an intense deep blue at the perimeter. The rhodium plated numerals, circle applique and hands provide perfect contrasts and dazzling reflections.
White Gold & Taupe, Ref. T8.AU.48.006: This version offers a subtle contrast between a black velvet centre and a lighter, taupe colour sunray pattern at the perimeter. The rhodium plated hands beautifully stand out and balance the whole design. Numerals and circle applique also rhodium plated.
White Gold & Opaline-White, Ref. T8.AU.48.007: A yachting, sporty variation where intense deep blue numerals and circle applique navigate on a silvery opaline-white sea. Rhodium plated hands. An inspired combination; light but powerful at the same time!
Technical details
Movement
Movement: Self-winding
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Reference: DWT8AU (ETA2892)
Power reserve: 42 hours
Rotor: DeWitt’s design
Vibrations: 28’800 A/h
Balance:3-armed, made in Glucydur
Balance-spring: Flat
Escapement: 510 angle of lift
Jewelling: 21 jewels
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
Water-resistance: 30 meters
Dial
Two-zone guilloche: internal with flame guilloche pattern, external with baguette guilloche pattern
Circle applique with columns
Large Roman numerals at four cardinal points and small Arabic numerals positioned at five minutes intervals
Hands
Hours and Minutes: open-worked hands in the shape of two-edged swords
Seconds: thin and elegant
Wristband
Alligator leather in different colour tonalities
Buckle: 18-carat white or rose gold pin buckle, polished, engraved “W” signature
