News Following its recent move to Meyrin, at the beginning of November DeWitt inaugurated its new building, complete with a museum housing numerous machines of yesteryear.
Established initially in 2003 in Vandoeuvres, DeWitt has grown consistently since that time. In 2007 it set up its headquarters in Vernier in premises which after only one year proved too small. At the beginning of 2008, Jérôme de Witt sketched out a much larger blueprint and moved to the heart of the industrial zone of Meyrin-Satigny: 5,000 m2 spread over three floors. On 6 November this year, the firm inaugurated its new premises, as well as a space set aside for history, dedicated to the watchmaking expertise of bygone years.
Located in the entrance hall, the museum straight away immerses the visitor in the fascinating world of watchmaking history. In a warm and intimate atmosphere, it offers one of the largest collections in the world of tools – more than 250 pieces in total – retracing nearly three centuries of artisanal watchmaking. Collected by Jérôme de Witt over the years through auctions or chance finds in watchmaking workshops, these extraordinary pieces date from the 17th century through to the early 20th century, a period when all watch manufacturing processes were carried out entirely by hand. Displayed very elegantly, these machines underline the national heritage of watchmaking craftsmanship by presenting the different stages of production of a mechanical timepiece. Within this space one can find gear-wheel cutters – ancestors of the lathe – used in the 1680s, rolling-mills and also lapping-machines. Rose-engines dating from the 18th and 19th centuries also enrich the collection. Through its commitment to sustaining the traditions of the art of watchmaking, DeWitt is today one of the only watch manufacturers in the world to continue the artisanal tradition of engine-turning on machines infused with a rich heritage.
In the centre of the museum the firm also presents its own creations, fruit of the imagination of Jérôme de Witt, displaying technical adroitness, extreme attention to detail, exquisite finishing and absolute respect for artisanal Swiss workmanship. These requirements, combined with constant vigilance in production, give DeWitt timepieces a character of excellence enabling the firm to position itself at the very top end of the market. Mention should be made of the Pressy Grande Complication of 2003, the Academia Tourbillon Différentiel which in 2005 won the Innovation Prize at the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix, and the Tourbillon Academia Force Constante of 2006, to name but a few.
To attain such a high level in the design of its watches, DeWitt has naturally equipped itself with an inventory of ultra-modern machines on the first floor of the new building. A team of exceptionally well qualified men and women (85 at present) are actively involved in the manufacture and marketing of watches.
Forever eager to explore new horizons, it will be remembered that Jérôme de Witt decided to strengthen his growth strategy by handing over the reins of the firm last April to Nathalie Veysset, an expert in corporate management. Since then, he has devoted all of his time to designing new models and taken on the role of ambassador for his firm.
The career of Jérôme de Witt has little of the conventional about it. The great grandson of Léopold II of Belgium, he is the direct descendant, after five generations, of King Jérôme of Westphalia, brother of the Emperor Napoleon 1st. The imperial family has a long-standing love of fine timepieces. In 1798, before departing for the Egyptian campaign, Napoleon Bonaparte bought three pieces from a watchmaker by the name of Abraham-Louis Breguet. This initial acquisition marked the beginning of a long collaboration. In 1810, Breguet created the very first wristwatch in history for the Queen of Naples, Caroline Murat, sister of Napoleon 1st. Over the years, the imperial family built up an extraordinary collection of timepieces, added to by King Jérôme of Westphalia, a true watchmaking connoisseur, and later by Napoleon III. This heritage is today partly in the hands of Jérôme de Witt. One therefore understands better why, in 2000, the latter decided to create his own watch manufactory.
Tourbillon Force Constante with chain
At the time of its launch in 2006, the Tourbillon Force Constante made the headlines by providing an answer to a question as old as the mechanical movement itself: how to assure perfectly regular transmission of energy to the mechanism?
Today, DeWitt introduces a dazzling innovation to this exceptional timepiece by creating a system of energy relays to the power reserve indicator. Rotation of the crown, when the mainspring is wound, drives a miniature chain. The latter, whose 192 pieces are shaped and assembled entirely by hand, actuates the power reserve indicator by means of an intermediate wheel sliding over a worm screw. Positioned in the red zone the pointer indicates a reserve close to zero, as opposed to the green zone which indicates that the mainspring is adequately wound.
This ingenious mechanism (patented DW 8050 self-winding mechanical calibre) is rivalled only by the aesthetic appeal of the piece: the dial reveals through its openings the complexity of the mechanism and its different components, with the chain breathtakingly enhancing its overall balance. The visual harmony radiated by this timepiece goes beyond the world of engineering in the pure sense, giving it great depth of character.
November 25, 2008
