By Osheen Arakelian
The DeWitt Academia collection has been a long standing and respected line of watches to come from the Manufacture and today presents a step forward with the launch of their newest timepiece, the Academia Chronostream II. Taking after its predecessor, the DeWett Academia Chronostream, the Chronostream II keeps the same design and excellence that we have come to expect from DeWitt. So what awaits us in the new collection?
The Academia Chronostream II is a logical next step for DeWitt and they have not shied away from creating more complicated and clever designs for their newest releases. This is evident when you look at the various design elements incorporated into the Academia Chronostream II. Firstly, incorporated on the dial is a unique looking chronograph sub-dial setup with silvered counters surrounded by rose gold circular accents. In between and surrounding the sub dials is a silvered, black centre with “Clou de Paris” decoration used to contrast the various gold, silver and blue colouring on the dial and hands.
This new layout is a far cry from the appliqué pattern face usually found on DeWeitt watches that are inspired by the radiator grilles of vintage racing cars. From what we know of Jerôme De Witt, he is quite the lover of old vintage race cars and that hobby has come through in the various designs produced by the manufacture. Not only is the dial a stark contrast with the use of gold, silver and blue, but the raised subdial borders add another level of depth to the face. The minute and hour hands are an open worked double edged sword shape that is another DeWitt Academia trademark and helps tie the piece to its origins. The dial is then finished off with a blue tachymeter scale that runs along the edge of the dial and is kept track of using a large seconds hand in the middle of the dial.
Ticking within is the DeWitt Calibre DW6005 self-winding movement with 27 jewels, 48-hour power reserve beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour. Holding all these beautiful elements in place is a 42.5mm rose gold case that is also finished in true DeWitt style. The “Imperial Columns” grooved pattern, representing the family’s aristocratic lineage is used on the sides, and the large winding crown has the DeWitt family “W” emblem engraved on its head.
Holding the piece onto the wrist is also another strange and contemporary choice for DeWitt. A black rubber and 18k rose gold caseband is used and features a polished, satin-finished and bevelled surface. The attention to detail displayed by DeWitt is not something new to many people, but the continued attention to detail and finesse is a testament to the manufactures insistence on quality over anything else approach with every new addition to the collection. For more info, please visit dewitt.ch
OSHEEN ARAKELIAN – CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Drawing on a lifelong love of horology and a more recent introduction to the appreciation of fine whisky, Osheen brought the two together with watch & whisky. He is the proprietor of the site, which covers everything related to watches and whisky. In between completing a degree in commercial law and supporting a rich social life, he is out and about attending all the latest watch and whisky events Sydney has to offer. His passion has also taken him around Australia attending a number of events and he hopes to continue his career in the watch industry on a more serious level after he graduates. Read his articles here.
