Napoleon descendant DeWitt back at DJWE

Count Jerome Napoleon DeWitt is not only from the fifth generation of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte but also one of the most reputable watchmakers from Switzerland taking part in the ongoing Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE).
DeWitt, a regular at the expo, has brought an array of luxury single and limited edition exquisite time pieces, which have taken anywhere between five and 18 months for completion.
One of the watches, named Imperial Academia, is reportedly modelled on the dash board of a Ferrari car. The QR1.6mn hand-timed piece consists of too many complications and nearly 1,000 components.
DeWitt says five professionals worked more than 15 months to finish the watch. For cleaning alone, it took more than 7,000 man hours, if one takes into account the time devoted by the five professionals who perfected it.
DeWitt says watchmaking is becoming more and more challenging as the makers are finding it increasingly difficult to get the “right personnel” for each department. “Unlike in other industries, in watchmaking professionals handle only one area each of its manufacturing,” he said.
Usually a person’s urge to possess a unique watch, he said, is motivated by his or her passion.
“For instance, on seeing a unique watch in my booth, a local collector took an instantaneous decision to possess it at the price I asked for,”  added DeWitt.