A DIRECT STREAM OF EUROPEAN EMPERORS, INCLUDING NAPOLEON BONAPARTH AND THE KING OF BELGIUM LEOPOLD II, Monsieur JEROME DE WITT ALWAYS EXPERIENCED A STRONG LOVE AT HOURS. A TRUE ARISTOCRAE SHARE WITH PLEASURE WITH OUR JOURNAL THOUGHTS ABOUT ELEGANT DESIGN, DEWITT CONCEPTUAL WATCHES AND PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.
The DeWitt brand appeared in 2003, but has already received a number of awards, including the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève awards in such nominations as Innovation and Clock of the Year. Was it not difficult for you, a true aristocrat, in spite of the rules of high society to devote your life to work?
Jerome De Witt: Of course, for parents it was a real shock, because when I was 25 years old, I told them that I want to work! As a rule, children often have a rebellious spirit, and they behave in exactly the opposite of their parents' expectations. We often traveled to Europe, and, as you know, even the receptions of the guests were not quite simple: here we are at a ball at the Queen of England in Buckingham Palace, but here at the Count’s estate in Belgium. Of course, when you are surrounded by luxury, a love of aesthetics and premium quality arises by itself. However, I felt like a prisoner of my position, as if I were inside a golden safe. Moreover, I was always guided by the philosophy of Socrates: "I know that I know nothing." This helped to communicate with interesting people, ask the right questions and constantly warm up the curiosity and interest in life. Watchmaking is one of their most difficult.
How did you end up in this industry?
Jerome De Witt: By chance! Although I am not a watchmaker, I myself came up with the design of my first watch. When the time came to put a signature on the case, I was ashamed to write my name, because I'm not a professional. Therefore, I decided to abbreviate the name De Witt and sign only with the letter “W”, but soon realized that it was not practical. To create a complete collection of watches, I have already attracted the best masters and designers of the world with rich experience in watchmaking. In any business, you need a team, in no case should you skimp on professionals.
You need to have talent in order to be able to distinguish yourself from more than 3000 brands existing on the market nowadays!
Jerome De Witt: I am a passionate car enthusiast, and the device of the car has always been my skate. And once I took a part from the car and decided to see how it looks in section.
By coincidence, it turned out to be a gearbox, and it was she who became the basis for the design of the first DeWitt watches. To establish itself in the market, we immediately released a watch with 14 complications, some of which are patented.
What is the main design feature of your watch?
Jerome De Witt: They are not extravagant and not throws, but a knowledgeable person will immediately note their owner's excellent taste and nobility. Today, we are one of the rare brands that continues to create guilloche patterns on historical guilloche machines of the 18th and 19th centuries. Inspiration comes from everywhere, for example, I have a collection of gold jewelry from the Russian Empress Catherine II. In them you can find a unique combination of various alloys of gold: red, white and yellow. So there was a collection of watches with cases of gold in various colors.
Are there any special rules that apply at your factory?
Jerome De Witt: I follow a strict rule: each DeWitt watch model is assembled by one watchmaker from start to finish. I will tell you one case. Once we were working on a new model, but the ruby, due to which the mechanism is set in motion, began to wear out quickly, and a year later the clock broke. Therefore, I decided that the main part of the work, namely branded complications, should be done at my own manufactory.
In the Swiss branch of DeWitt you can see a real collection of museum exhibits!
Jerome De Witt: In truth, my collection was enough to open a whole DeWitt museum. Today it features ancient guilloche machines, a variety of unique workbenches, watchmaking tools, beautiful Peterman screw cutting machines, stone cutting tools, hand-held lathes of the 19th century ... and even amazing objects whose purpose historians are still trying to unravel!
What story from the conversations in royal society do you remember most?
Jerome De Witt: I remember the parable of the mushroom. According to legend, the mushroom was so dissatisfied with its position that it constantly sought to become bigger, more powerful. He tried so hard to grow his hat! As a result, when the mushroom hat became too large, it outweighed the mushroom and fell, and the mushroom died. Life should be practical, you can not keep up with the illusion of success. Believe me, speed and quality are two opposite concepts.
What are you going to surprise customers in the future?
Jerome De Witt: I have already matured the fantastic idea of creating a completely new concept watch. It will be a futuristic watch, possibly even without a case!
