De Bethune - The New York Watch Auction: EIGHT New York Saturday, June 10, 2023 | Phillips

Create your first list.

Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.

  • Manufacturer: De Bethune
    Year: Circa 2004
    Reference No: DB12RT
    Case No: No. 002
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. Venus 175, 25 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Alligator
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold De Bethune buckle
    Dimensions: 42mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, strap, and buckle signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by De Bethune Certificate of Authenticity dated May 2004, presentation box, slipcase, and outer box. Further accompanied by De Bethune Certificate of Origin.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Part of the highly coveted and collectable “founding collection”, the DB12 eloquently embodies the “no compromise” philosophy of De Bethune and is a potent mix of original design and innovative mechanics. Combining the unprecedented “ogival” lugs, shaped almost like bullets, the contemporary and the traditional meld together perfectly both within and without. Based on the Venus 175 caliber, the pink gold wristwatch features not only a chronograph, but date and month indications as well, equipped with a balance spring with Breguet overcoil and swan-neck regulator.

    The dial, of silver-plated solid gold, is hand decorated in a guilloche pattern, with solid white gold dials for the date and month apertures. Though known for their avant garde designs, the genius of De Bethune is in fact their ability to honor tradition while not being constrained by it. Though their design has evolved in the two decades since this reference was introduced, one can recognize the design elements still found in De Bethune models today, such as the bullet shaped lugs and the hand-blued “feuille” hands.

    In lovely condition, the watch is accompanied by its original De Bethune certificate of authenticity and outer packaging. Numbered “002”, it is one of the earliest DB12s produced and a testament to the legacy of technical prowess and audacity that still defines the brand today.

91

Ref. DB12RT
Numbered 002, an early and extremely rare pink gold chronograph wristwatch with oversized date display, month indication, ogival lugs, certificate of authenticity, and presentation box

Circa 2004
42mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, strap, and buckle signed.

Estimate
$25,000 - 50,000 
CHF22,500-45,000
€23,100-46,200
HK$195,000-391,000
S$33,600-67,200

Sold for $82,550

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas
+1 (212) 940-1293
WatchesNY@Phillips.com
 
Isabella Proia
Head of Sale, New York
+1 (212) 940 1285
iproia@phillips.com

The New York Watch Auction: EIGHT

New York Auction 10 - 11 June 2023