This exclusive model issued in a limited series is distinguished on the one hand by its ingenious, easily reversible twin-faced case; and on the other by the extremely functional character of its minute repeater which strikes the time in the original location when the dual time-zone is displayed.
The Tourbillon, minute repeater and GMT mechanisms may be admired on the two articulated sides of this highly exclusive timepiece. Fitted around a dedicated axle, the twin-faced case of the Répétition Minutes Tourbillon GMT Antipode pivots a full 360° by lateral rotation activated by pressing the watch lugs at 12 and 6 o'clock, which releases the case by pushing it back against the central axle. Made from grade 5 titanium, PVD and white gold, and framed by susbtantial openworked lugs, the case is enhanced by a tinted sapphire crystal and an inward-facing bezel, while the DeWitt signature “imperial columns” face outwards. This highly original design endows the Répétition Minutes Tourbillon GMT Antipode with a face radiating admirable nobility and depth.
Whereas most complications operate on separate movements, the Répétition Minutes Tourbillon GMT Antipode reveals three extreme complications within a single fully integrated movement. The tourbillon carriage appears on the front of the timepiece, alongside the local hour and minute indications and the minute repeater. On this side, the local time alarm is triggered by a pushpiece located at 9 o'clock on the case. The second side of the model features the GMT function along with the hour and minutes in the second time zone. The minute repeater mechanism may be activated at any time using the same puhspiece, enabling the owner of this masterpiece to hear the time in his home location strike when he consults the second time-zone on the front dial. The time in the second time zone is adjusted by means of a corrector positioned at 4 o'clock.
Representing the culmination of years of technological development, the Répétition Minutes Tourbillon GMT Antipode exudes a distinctive and powerful masculine presence in harmony with the finest traditions of hand-crafted horology.
Technical sophistication in the feminine mode
When first launched in 2006, the Tourbillon à Force Constante made its mark on watchmaking history by providing an answer to a question that goes back as the mechanical movement itself; namely, how can one ensure perfectly regular transmission of energy to the mechanism? The ingenious patented constant force device is a response to this technically complex question. This principle can be observed through the subtle cut-outs on the dial revealing the tourbillon and the elegant inertia flywheel of the constant force device, shaped like a cross. Whatever the state of wind of the watch, the latter rotates at a rate of 6 turns per minute, thus ensuring a regular rate for the watch. DeWitt has now called upon the talents of its finest gem-setting craftsmen in order to adorn this exceptional model with feminine graces and to make it a truly sparkling creation intended for demanding and exceptional women: the Tourbillon à Force Constante Diamant.
When appointed two years ago by Jérôme de Witt to serve as company CEO, Nathalie Veysset was immediately struck by the difference in pace between the domain of fine watchmaking and her previous field of activity: “if you want to do your job well within a bank you have to react extremely fast. In watchmaking, doing your job well involves allowing time to do its own work. Fine watchmaking calls for an impressive degree of meticulous care and expertise. Moreover, staff members are fairly interchangeable within a bank, whereas in this industry the watchmaker is far more important. There are in fact a broad range of professions within a single watch company: we have around 30 here at DeWitt.”
What finer illustration of this observation could one hope for than this particular model? Its ingenious mechanism (patented mechanical hand-wound Calibre DW8003) is protected by a 43 mm-diameter case sculpted on the bezel and middle with the brand's very own “imperial columns”. Made from white gold and delicately set with 337 round-cut diamonds, it frames a hand-guilloché gold dial adorned with an exclusive and discreet DeWitt symbol, and with finely crafted white gold hands. The Tourbillon à Force Constante is teamed with a white alligator leather strap featuring a white gold folding clasp set with 42 diamonds totalling 0.5 carats.
TECHNICAL INFORMATIONS
Répétition Minutes Tourbillon GMT Antipode
Movement: mechanical hand-wound movement, 72-hour power reserve
Case: titanium, white gold, PVD treatment, reversible
Diameter: 45.5mm
Functions: minute repeater, GMT, tourbillon
Bracelet: titanium and black PVD
Water resistance: 30m
Limited edition
Tourbillon À Force Constante Diamant
Movement: mechanical hand-wound, tourbillon combined with patented DeWitt
constant-force device
Case: white gold set with 337 diamonds (2.80 carats)
Diameter: 43mm
Functions: hours, minutes, tourbillon, constant-force device
Bracelet: white alligator leather with white gold folding clasp set with 42 round-cut
diamonds (0.5 cts).
Water resistance: 30m
Limited edition
