First introduced in 2013, just over a decade after De Bethune’s founding, the DB16 stands as one of the manufacture’s most complex and conceptually significant creations. It embodies the duality at the heart of De Bethune’s philosophy — the classical restraint and symmetry of the dial balanced against the avant-garde, architectural dynamism of the movement.

The 43 mm rose-gold case retains a timeless, harmonious profile, distinguished by De Bethune’s signature traits: a flawlessly polished finish and solid lugs terminating in elegant, ogival tips. In later and more experimental designs, these lugs would evolve into hollowed and articulated forms, yet the instantly recognizable silhouette first seen here remained a defining feature of the marque.

The dial is a study in balance and refinement. At 12 o’clock lies De Bethune’s signature three-dimensional spherical moon-phase, framed by a constellation of applied stars. Mirroring it at 6 o’clock is a raised date sub-dial with a blue-indexed chapter ring. The day and month are displayed through discreet rectangular apertures at 9 and 3 o’clock, while a sunburst-engraved central field radiates from the moon-phase, enlivening the composition with a subtle play of light that enhances its classical symmetry.

For collectors drawn to the world of independent watchmaking, the DB16 represents an excellence in design, complexity, and rarity. At its debut, it stood among the most technically accomplished creations of its era, yet remains comparatively at the apex even today given its complexity and pedigree. Presented in excellent condition and complete with all accessories, the present example is both a statement of connoisseurship and a gateway into the very essence of De Bethune’s visionary watchmaking.