The brainchild of Davide Zanetta, a collector of vintage timepieces and art and Denis Flageollet, a genius watchmaker who started his career restoring vintage timepieces and developing über complicated movements for others, De Bethune was created in 2002 and in close to 20 years they have developed over 35 inhouse movements and are at the origin of a cavalcade of extraordinary technical inventions.

The present DB1 is as its name implies the brand’s first creation, its rather classical design is far from the more audacious ones the brand has come to be known for today but certain design elements, such as the bullet shaped lugs, can still be found in the brand’s current models.

The DB1 was launched in 2002 and made in 28 pieces in white gold, 21 pieces in pink gold and one unique example in yellow gold: the present watch which also has a flat bezel contrary to the others giving the watch an incredibly sleek look.

The design of the watch is incredibly attractive with its slim case, short bullet shaped lugs, large flat bezel and beautiful silver dial with guilloché centre.

The movement was originally created by Flageollet for Jaquet (now Lajoux Perret) a company creating high end mechanical movements for third parties. It is stamped C.D.B, standing for Chevalier Dethune, an 18th Century French aristocrat and horologist known for his innovative escapement system and whose name inspired the founders of De Dethune.