The Twenty-8-Eight Tourbillon, first launched in 2010, marked a turning point for DeWitt thanks to its calibre DW8028, incorporating the first 100% Manufacture Tourbillon movement. Its construction tends towards the classical, based on tried and tested technical parameters: 18’000 A/h, 72 hours power reserve and a spiral with a Breguet curve sequenced at 2.5 Hz.
This year’s highlight is the innovative blend of materials, with a 43 mm round case in rose gold and grade 5 Neotitanium offering remarkable lightness and robustness. Its contrasting two-tone face in anthracite grey and a galvanic black highlights the relief and draws the gaze into the very heart of the movement. The accuracy and finishing levels applied individually to each of the 27 components of the dial are a genuine work of craftsmanship.
The dial of the new Twenty-8-Eight Tourbillon has two parts. The set of columns on the upper part, create a very masculine and imposing Art Deco effect with a futuristic touch, while also evoking 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. The entrance into the heart of the beating movement is protected by a semi-transparent grille that intrigues us all the more and offers a glimpse of the tourbillon visibly beating inside. The pattern represented on the dial is a large radiating sunray that reaches right out to the sides. It is divided into two different colour zones as the Roman and Arabic numerals are placed on a circular applique in rose gold that extends over the whole dial.
Finally, for perfect balance, two hands (hours and minutes) are positioned in the centre of the dial in the shape of swords. Two little “children” appliques, each bearing shiny rings, were finally placed at 3 and 9 o’clock.
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. 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.
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
Round-shaped, adorned with DeWitt’s imperial columns on the flanks
Material: 18-carat rose gold and grade 5 Neotitanium
Diameter: 43 mm
Total thickness: 10.28 mm
Crown: 18-carat 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 metres
Dial
“Art Deco” 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, anthracite grey in the centre and galvanic black on the outside. Roman and Arabic numerals in rose gold applique. Two “children” appliques at 3 and 9 o’clock. 27 components in total, all hand-assembled
Hands: Hours and Minutes: Open-worked hands in the shape of two-edged swords
Wristband
Alligator leather in matt black
Buckle: 18-carat rose gold pin buckle, polished, engraved “W” signature
Edition
Limited edition: 88 pieces
