De Bethune - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVII Geneva Saturday, May 13, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: De Bethune
    Year: 2019
    Reference No: DB28SWBS
    Movement No: DB.B.008
    Case No: 004
    Model Name: DB 28 Steel Wheels Blue: The Hour Glass Commemorative Edition
    Material: Blued Titanium
    Calibre: Manual, cal. DB2115V4, 38 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Denim
    Clasp/Buckle: Blued Titanium De Bethune pin buckle
    Dimensions: 43mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by unsigned and undated De Bethune Certificate of Origin and Warranty, instruction booklet and fitted presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The DB28 model was introduced in 2010 and went on in 2011 to immediately win the Aiguille d’Or at the GPHG, the most important awards in the world of watches. This highlights how strongly De Bethune focuses on innovation - in fact, they repeated the feat winning again the prize in 2014 - and how their technical approach to watchmaking reverberates from the movement to the case, with details such as the crown at 12 o’ clock and the innovative “floating” lugs.

    The “Steel Wheels” version of the DB28 was introduced in 2018 and represents the skeletonized version of the model. In fact, the attention to details of De Bethune and their supreme approach to design is apparent in the fact that not only the central bridge has been opened up the reveal the gear train below. Even the twin barrels are now openwork, allowing the beholder to notice the coiling/uncoiling of the mainsprings. The hands did not escape such treatment, most notably via the hour hand which feature a “floating” central metal element, an effect obtained by embedding it in a crystal itself braced by the hour hand’s frame.

    Any DB28 Steel Wheels is a masterpiece of horology and an absolute joy to behold: the blued titanium acquires different hues according to the light condition, and one can easily loose themselves in the gears revealed by the skeletonized dial.

    The present version in its all blue livery was specially made for Singapore based retailer The Hour Glass in a limited edition of 10 pieces. The case, central bridge and outer periphery of the dial are all heat blued giving the watch incredible charisma and presence. However, one element sets the present example apart, even though the watch is part of a limited edition set of 10 pieces its is the only one to feature silver hour markers (instead of blue) for greater legibility.

    Such details grant the piece a “Monochrome Cobalt” appearance whose beauty words truly fail to describe. Offered in virtually “as-new” condition and complete of its original accessories, the present piece will be the delight of its next owner for years to come.

27

Ref. DB28SWBS
A surprising, extremely attractive blued titanium wristwatch with spherical moonphases, power reserve in the back, skeletonized hands movement and twin barrels, guarantee and presentation box number 4 of a limited edition of 10 pieces

2019
43mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF50,000 - 100,000 
€52,000-104,000
$57,100-114,000

Sold for CHF171,450

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

+41 79 637 17 24
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVII

Geneva Auction 13 - 14 May 2023