With its strong symbolism and innovative technical approach, the Academia Out of Time model forms a new addition to the DeWitt Manufacture’s series of emblematic watch creations.
The mastermind behind this patented invention, Jérôme de Witt, the founder of the Manufacture and creator of DeWitt watches, gives us a highly personal interpretation of time with a combination of a bold design and a grand watch complication.
Housed in a round 42.5 mm diameter case, the Academia Out of Time watch is driven by an automatic DeWitt calibre indicating the hours, minutes and seconds, and entirely developed, produced and assembled by hand by the master watchmakers at the Meyrin Manufacture in Geneva.
Robust and reliable with its 21,600 vibrations per hour and its 65-hour power reserve, the Out of Time version is equipped with two elaborate complications: a dead-beat seconds hand, which serves as both a regulator and an indicator of the seconds function in the display at 4 o’clock, and a free seconds hand, a DeWitt invention, in the display at 8 o’clock.
These 2 functions represent the opposition between real time, in the form of regulator function of the dead-beat seconds hand that momentarily halts at each second, and virtual time, freely following its wild and endless course. This unique watch structure is made up of the DW5051 standard manufactured calibre plus additional modules, with a total of 217 components, most of which are made in-house and assembled in DeWitt’s own workshops.
Creating an interplay of contrasting effects through the combination of traditional and innovative materials, the Academia Out of Time’s case is crafted in 18-carat rose gold and black rubber, with a subtle recreation of the famous imperial columns, the distinctive signature of DeWitt watch creations. The elegant design of the dials, available in three shades of lacquer (black, white or blue), showcases the two gold-encircled counters displaying the complications.
Like all DeWitt watch creations, it perfectly meets the very high standard of finishes endorsed by the Manufacture. We also find two small “W” signatures on the crown and on the buckle. Linked more closely than ever to the exclusive end of the market with the Academia Out of Time model, the DeWitt Manufacture combines unconventional watchmaking expertise with constantly renewed creativity to create this resolutely innovative timepiece.
Technical details
Movement
Calibre DW1201
Mechanical self-winding movement manufactured by DeWitt
Diameter: 30.6 mm
Power reserve: 65 hours
Frequency: 21,600 vph
Balance: Variable-inertia balance
Balance spring: Flat
Escapement: Swiss lever, (44° angle of lift)
Jewelling: 38 jewels
Number of components: 217
Functions
Hours, minutes, dead-beat second at 4 o’clock
Case
Round case with Dewitt imperial columns on sides
Material: 18-carat rose gold and black rubber
Diameter: 42.5 mm
Total thickness: 12.85 mm
Crown: 18-carat rose gold, “W” signature
Case back: Open back, sapphire crystal with safety screws
Distance between lugs: 21 mm
Water-resistance: 30 metres
Dials
– Black lacquer with appliqué numerals and circles in rose gold colour tone (AC.OUT.001)
– White lacquer with appliqué figures and circles in rose gold colour tone (AC.OUT.002)
– Blue lacquer with appliqué numerals and circles in rose gold colour tone (AC.OUT.003)
Hands
Hours and minutes: 18-carat rose gold, open-worked hands in the shape of double-edged swords
Dead-beat second at 4 o’clock: 18-carat rose gold, thin and elegant
Strap
Alligator
Triple folding clasp, polished 18-carat rose gold cover with “W” signature
