The technical creativity of De Bethune seems boundless, Denis Flageollet – the brand’s co-founder and master watchmaker – spent decades restoring pieces made by the great masters of the 18th and 19th centuries and he used his abyssal knowledge of historical watchmaking to invent 21st century watches like no other, in his words “the tradition of watchmaking is innovation”.
Instantly recognizable by connoisseurs due to its distinctive design and appeal, De Bethune has recently witnessed a meteoric rise in demand and interest from collectors all around the world trying to get their hands on these rare timepieces. While the firm has released numerous models over the years since its founding in 2002, one model certainly stands out among the rest as being the model that best interpretates the brand’s vision and aesthetics, the DB28.
Originally introduced in 2010, the DB28 was a crowd pleaser from its unusual yet innovative case design with floating lugs ensuring comfort on the wrist, and its spherical moon phase display. The DB28 was awarded the highest distinction of awards the “Aiguille d’Or in 2011 at the Grand Prix Horlogerie de Genève.
The design of the DB28 is futuristic, there is no dial per se as the top movement plate, ruthenium plated and decorated with Geneva waves, is visible along with the balance, triple pare-chute shock absorber and part of the mainsprings. Another visible De Bethune signature element is the 3D moon phases placed at the bottom part of the dial, a wind performance indicator which is placed discreetly between 2 and 3 o’clock and, a 6-day power reserve indicator on the caseback.
Powered by the firm’s in-house cal. 2115, it features innovations patented by De Bethune including its self-regulating twin barrel, a titanium balance wheel, “De Bethune” hairspring with flat terminal curve, silicon escape wheel and a triple parachute shock absorbing system. With all these innovations all combined in a single movement, the DB28 is truly a statement piece by the firm.
The present example De Bethune DB28 in titanium with an all-black appeal on the dial is simply a must have for collectors who admire futuristic designs. Offered in excellent overall condition and complete with its full set of accessories, this present lot will surely garner interest from collectors seeking to acquire an icon of the up-and-coming firm.