They certainly have unique and distinctive case and dial designs which are made in-house and family owned by a descendant of Napoleon Bonaparte. One of their models even contain hair from the former French emperor. They've been around since 2003 but are very infrequently discussed in the collector forums. How do the rank and file collectors view this brand relative to iconic brands like Omega and Rolex?

 

Wow...

Now we know where Invicta gets their inspiration...or is it the other way around?

 

Wow indeed.

I didn't realize Invicta makes their watches entirely in-house as well. Last I checked very few brands including DeWitt can claim that title.

Perhaps instead Invicta and DeWitt movement complexity and price point must be similar?? Or maybe Invicta and DeWitt watches appear so aesthetically similar that collectors disregard the brands' "minor" differences?

 

Without knowing how "in-house" is defined, I would take claims like this with a grain of salt as has been discussed many times. Also, "in-house" however defined, does not mean better.

Having said all that if they do make their own movements (with a few parts bought I presume - ask them where they get their balance springs!) then kudos to them, but at the heart of any watch for me it has to be attractive, and these are not to me. Considering the prices and styling of these watches, it's not surprising at all that we don't hear more about them on a forum like this one.

Cheers, Al

 

Putting aside the subjective matter of aesthetics, I wanted to pick the forums "brain" on the what they know about this brand. Apparently the brand's watches are too unattractive for many members. I for one disagree esp when it comes to their Academia line (utilizing a glucydur balance):

 

Interesting that a line called "Academia" has labels on the numbers so people know that one is one, two is two...

Most modern watches use Glucydur balance wheels, by the way. But this leads to my point about "in-house" in that 95% of the Swiss watch industry uses balances and balance springs made by Nivarox FAR (owned by Swatch Group of course). This included brands that most associate with being fully "in-house" and in direct competition with Swatch Group. Many have said that without Swatch and ETA, there would be no mechanical watch industry - that is particularly true for Nivarox FAR.

As for picking the brains about what people here know about this brand, I'm guessing that "not much" and "don't care to really research it to answer the questions of someone who seems to already know more about this brand than we do" would be the answers.

And that leaves us with aesthetics...

Cheers, Al

 

"Interesting that a line called "Academia" has labels on the numbers so people know that one is one, two is two..."

I suppose that caters to those who can read.

Though I'm unsure where DeWitt sources their movement components and I can certainly say they produce movement complications infrequently seen with other Swiss brands. Apparently I need to ask an Invicta forum for their opinions. For those interested in learning more I offer the following links:
http://www.ablogtowatch.com/dewitt-shines-in-the-glow-of-watch-dealer-shapur-in-san-francisco/

http://www.ablogtowatch.com/dewitt-academia-out-time-watch/

In the meantime let me get back to my Speedy...

 

I think in order to view the brand, you first have know it exists, which most on this forum do not.

While they may have Napoleon's short and curlies in the movement, they are so far outside of the realm of a majority of vintage collectors that they are unnoticed or unknown.

If I am going to drop $20k+ on something modern, it will be a blue chip like PP, VC, Lange or the like.

 

ugly oversize tuna cans which won't hold their value long term.

you asked what I, being a member of the forum and a collector, thought. I went on their site and browsed the google images and formed an honest opinion. When the style for lumpy large watches changes, their current models will plummet in value. They may be a high quality timepieces but items being built to reflect very narrow current trends don't hold their value beyond the change in that trend.

and being a skinny type, I can't wear watches that have a larger diameter than my wrist.

 

Overpriced, bloated, garish designs from apparently legit but financially unstable Swiss manufacture. At first I expected to see these for $99.95 in the back of Motor Trend next to the viagra ads. A search of the web produced shock and disgust at their cheek in setting prices and sadness that they apparently are technically capable but inept at editing. Then i did a search in Watchville and the only blogger that seems interested in them is ABTW. For Oligarchs who have more money than taste.

 

Almost starting to sound like what Gerald Genta said when Gueit took his RO design to create the ROO.

 

I do recall seeing them in "clearance mode" on some forums a number of years ago for cheap prices (relative to MSRP), and I thought that at the time they had actually gone out of business, but I guess they survived. I recall someone saying that they were thinking of picking one up cheap, but were concerned about future serviceability if the company actually went under.

I don't think I would stick to "blue chip" brands, but certainly it would have to be something that pleases me more than anything from DeWitt does. I'm a big fan of the smaller independents, but in the end a watch has to be appealing to a collector for it to get consideration. It's tough to "put aside the subjective matter of aesthetics" when this is such a large part of a purchasing decision. This would be more my preference, both for aesthetics and the innovations Romain has put into his movements:

http://www.romaingauthier.com/hms-ten/

Or this from Kari Voutilainen:

http://www.voutilainen.ch/item/observatoire/

And having met both watchmakers, they are two of the nicest people you could ever imagine.

Personally I think the RO looks dated (very much a product of it's time, which for me is not a good thing), and the ROO is even worse.

Again it's all subjective. Not everyone has the same tastes, and there's nothing wrong with that. People on watch forums often seem to be looking for others to validate their purchases - if that's your watch above and you like it, that's all that matters.

Cheers, Al

 

+1 on RO ... or for that matter, Nautilus. I've tried on both and just don't get it. To each his or her own.

 

Why buy a DeWitt when you can have a DeWalt for 1/100th of the price

 

As usual Al gets it right. (its a bit tiring sometimes really)

I would describe the Romain as elegant. a timeless beautiful design.

I can't come up with a word for Voutilainen's watches... don't get me wrong, I love them and would happily sell most of the watches I own for one of those... but they really do stand alone. More like a Breguet than anything else. Obviously someone started with a clean slate! (and some seriously good taste)

But as Al stated... it all boils down to what you like the looks of.

 

Romain Gauthier watches are indeed attractive. If we are talking strictly in terms of aesthetics, Al, then I would classify them on par with the looks of Glasshute Original and A. Lange.... I venture to guess even these latter two are a bargain compared to RG. Again I'm talking aesthetics only.