DeWitt Academia Seconde Retrograde Serenity

The Swiss watchmaker Montres DeWitt, which is, being established only in 2003, still in its infancy, has introduced another series of models that feature really mature design. With its charismatic gearwheel-shaped case and swords-shaped hour and minute hands, the DeWitt Academia Seconde Retrograde Serenity watch looks like it belongs to the dark world of the Equilibrium movie.

Unlike most recently introduced brands, Montres DeWitt belongs to an exclusive club of manufacturers producing their own sophisticated movements independently of the omnipresent ETA SA and its numerous smaller rivals.

This particular model is powered by an in-house Calibre DW1102 automatic movement, which is a cousin of the caliber that we’ve already seen in the original DeWitt Academia Seconde Retrograde series first presented in 2007.

Built on 21 jewels and beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour, this mechanism features a flat balance spring made of Glucydur, an alloy of copper, beryllium and iron, which is known for its anti-magnetic properties and particularly low coefficient of thermal expansion.

The movement has a pretty standard power reserve of 42 hours.

Although the Serenity features the same basic layout as the original Seconde Retrograde line, stylistically it is completely different.

The twelve Arabic numerals are replaced with only four Roman numerals at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock.

The retrograde seconds indicator looks more like a speedometer from the BMW Mini, and the slide-ruler on its dial comes in perfect harmony with the gearwheel-shaped bezel giving the watch even more industrial look.

The whole assembly comes packed into a finely crafted rose gold or white gold case. Around 43 millimeters in diameters and 12.10 mm thick, it is not particularly large, but is remarkably thin, which makes the Serenity more comfortable to wear compared to other “sporty” timekeepers out there.

Currently, the watch is shipped on a natural matt black alligator leather strap, but would also look nice on a black rubber band.

In its press release, DeWitt says that the Serenity will be a limited edition model, but doesn’t clarify, how many timepieces they actually plan to sell.

Photos: Montres DeWitt

DeWitt Academia Seconde Retrograde Serenity automatic watch specification :

Price range: N/A
Movement: Calibre DW1102, automatic, 28,800 vph, 21 jewels
Complications: Retrograde seconds
Power reserve: 42 hours
Case material: White or rose gold
Case dimensions: 43 mm
Case height: 12 mm
Dial: Black
Water resistance: 30 meters
Strap: Alligator leather strap with rose or white gold folding clasp
Crystal: Sapphire