De Bethune - The New York Watch Auction: NINE New York Saturday, December 9, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: De Bethune
    Year: 2021
    Movement No: DB.E.006.54
    Case No: CS240
    Model Name: Dream Watch 5
    Material: Titanium
    Calibre: Manual, cal. DB2144-V2, 32 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Alligator
    Clasp/Buckle: Titanium De Bethune pin buckle
    Dimensions: 58mm width x 47mm length
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by De Bethune Certificate of Origin dated October 13, 2021, Dream Watch 5 instruction manual, two additional unworn straps, fitted presentation box, and slip cloth.

  • Catalogue Essay

    De Bethune has always been highly experimental, and few watches epitomize the brand’s avant-garde tendencies better than the Dream Watch collection. Six different Dream Watch models have been created since the inaugural example was introduced to the world in 2008. The Dream Watch 5 was announced in 2015; it stands tall as likely the most radical and recognizable Dream Watch of them all.

    The Dream Watch 5 looks like it could be an alien object or spacecraft straight out of Star Trek or Star Wars. The deltoid-shaped titanium case is completely mirror-polished, and the only indication that it’s some sort of timepiece is a digital read-out for jumping hours and wandering minutes. On one side of this digital time display is a tiny three-dimensional moon-phase that slowly rotates and is accurate to one day every 1,112 years; the other side incorporates a large crown that’s set with an eye-catching ruby cabochon.

    The manual-wind caliber DB 2144 inside the Dream Watch 5 is utterly impressive yet completely hidden from view. Despite the relative simplicity of the displays, the movement features more than 320 components, including an in-house balance wheel made from silicon and palladium and a triple pare-chute shock-absorption system.

    The Dream Watch 5 has been made-on-order by De Bethune since its 2014 debut. The present example dates to 2021, is in excellent condition, and comes as a full set, consigned by its original owner.

    CONSIGNED BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER

Σ9

A sculptural and unprecedented titanium wristwatch with digital jumping hour, wandering minutes, three-dimensional moon-phase, certificate, and presentation box

2021
58mm width x 47mm length
Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.

Estimate
$80,000 - 160,000 
CHF72,100-144,000
€74,900-150,000
HK$625,000-1,250,000
S$109,000-217,000

Sold for $177,800

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Deputy Chairman and 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: NINE

New York Auction 9 - 10 December 2023