DeWitt delivers the stately Academia Night Chronograph (Ref. AC.6005.53.M255) in a massive 18-karat rose gold body of three different varieties that are inspired by long-gone days of the Golden Age that preceded the Great Depression of the 1930s. The collection’s main point of attraction is the unusual gear-shaped bezel that is matched by similarly styled sides of the massive case. Although to some the device may look a bit too extreme, it will find its share of customers even despite its obscenely high MSRP.
Being in fact a spin-off of the wonderful Academia Chronograph Sequentiel series (pictured below,) the new Academia Night features that winning matte-black-and-polished-gold combination of textures and colors with its well-balanced dial giving you a high level of night-time legibility and its intelligent-looking 43mm case crafted of white and/or rose gold serving as an almost perfect frame for it.
Catering to the needs of the nocturnal part of the population, the Academia Night Chronograph makes its point with the help of its dial that is coated with Superluminova in white and, you won’t believe it, dark grey, nearly-black colors.
Combined, these two strontium-aluminate-based photoluminescent compounds printed on the minute track and the minute and seconds counters make for perfect night-time readability. They look fairly flashy, too.
Since the Academia Night offers an uncommon bi-compax dial layout, it comes with only one chronograph sub-dial (at 3 o’clock) and is capable of measuring time intervals no longer than 29 minutes and 59 seconds, which is absolutely okay, since you will probably only use the feature once or twice.
The peculiarly looking sub-dial at 9 o’clock is, in fact, the signature sequential seconds counter.
The collection is currently available only in two versions.
One, with a rubber wrist-strap with gold folding clasps, features a two-tone white-and-rose-gold case with black rubber inserts.
The second, coming with an alligator strap is made entirely of 18-karat rose gold.
Inside the case is hidden an automatic self-winding movement with 48 hours of power reserve.
DeWitt doesn’t specify, which caliber exactly did they use in this gorgeous, art deco-styled collection, but, judging by the live images of the Academia Night, the movement has been built with extreme love even to the smallest details.
The oscillating weight of its winding system, for example, is decorated with numerous DeWitt logos and is entirely crafted of rose gold.
The caliber is thin enough for the watch to feature a case that is only 13 millimeters thick.
At this time, the collection sports a street price of almost $37,000, which is steep even for a timekeeper that comes in such a massive rose gold body. Still, for the price, you get a timekeeper that not only looks different, but is also going to be a rare bird in a club filled with gentlemen wearing more traditional-looking offerings from Vacheron Constantin, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and even Rolex. If your main purpose is getting some extra attention, this beautiful trinket will surely be of help.
See also: Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control 1833 Ultra-Thin
Photos: DeWitt
WWR Verdict
Originality 5/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Overall Legibility: 4/5
Nighttime Legibility: 4/5
Value for Money: 4.5/5
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
DeWitt Academia Night Chronograph (Ref. AC.6005.53.M255) specification
Price range: $30,000 (MSRP)
Movement: Automatic, Caliber DeWitt DW6005 (base ETA 7753,) 27 jewels, 28,800vph, Swiss Made
Functions & Complications: Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph
Power reserve: 48 hours
Case: Rose gold, screw-down sapphire back
Size: 43.00 mm
Case height: 13.00 mm
Dial: Black
Water resistance: 30 meters
Strap: Brown alligator leather or black rubber
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective coating