DE BETHUNE. A VERY RARE AND IMPRESSIVE MIRROR-POLISHED TITANIUM LIMITED EDITION SEMI-SKELETONIZED LIGHTWEIGHT WRISTWATCH WITH THREE-DIMENSIONAL SPHERICAL MOON PHASE, POWER RESERVE AND ‘FLOATING LUGS’
DE BETHUNE. A VERY RARE AND IMPRESSIVE MIRROR-POLISHED TITANIUM LIMITED EDITION SEMI-SKELETONIZED LIGHTWEIGHT WRISTWATCH WITH THREE-DIMENSIONAL SPHERICAL MOON PHASE, POWER RESERVE AND ‘FLOATING LUGS’
DE BETHUNE. A VERY RARE AND IMPRESSIVE MIRROR-POLISHED TITANIUM LIMITED EDITION SEMI-SKELETONIZED LIGHTWEIGHT WRISTWATCH WITH THREE-DIMENSIONAL SPHERICAL MOON PHASE, POWER RESERVE AND ‘FLOATING LUGS’
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DE BETHUNE. A VERY RARE AND IMPRESSIVE MIRROR-POLISHED TITANIUM LIMITED EDITION SEMI-SKELETONIZED LIGHTWEIGHT WRISTWATCH WITH THREE-DIMENSIONAL SPHERICAL MOON PHASE, POWER RESERVE AND ‘FLOATING LUGS’
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DE BETHUNEDB28 'STEEL WHEELS' NO. 22/25
DE BETHUNE. A VERY RARE AND IMPRESSIVE MIRROR-POLISHED TITANIUM LIMITED EDITION SEMI-SKELETONIZED LIGHTWEIGHT WRISTWATCH WITH THREE-DIMENSIONAL SPHERICAL MOON PHASE, POWER RESERVE AND ‘FLOATING LUGS’

SIGNED DE BETHUNE, REF. DB28SWTIS1PN, 'STEEL WHEELS' MODEL, NO. 22/25, CIRCA 2018

Details
DE BETHUNE. A VERY RARE AND IMPRESSIVE MIRROR-POLISHED TITANIUM LIMITED EDITION SEMI-SKELETONIZED LIGHTWEIGHT WRISTWATCH WITH THREE-DIMENSIONAL SPHERICAL MOON PHASE, POWER RESERVE AND ‘FLOATING LUGS’
SIGNED DE BETHUNE, REF. DB28SWTIS1PN, 'STEEL WHEELS' MODEL, NO. 22/25, CIRCA 2018
Movement: Manual
Dial: Semi-skeletonized
Case: 43 mm. diam.
With: Mirror-polished titanium De Bethune buckle, Certificate of Origin dated 2018, product literature, presentation box and outer dust bag
Remark: Limited edition of 25 pieces

Brought to you by

Remi Guillemin
Remi Guillemin Head of Watches, Europe and Americas

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Lot Essay

In recent years, independent watchmaking has taken the world of horology by surprise. Historically, the audience for buyers was quite small and niche due to unusual stylization along with a lack of a major 'brand name'. However, in the past few years, there has been an incredible amount of success for these independent manufacturers such as De Bethune due to their uniqueness, small quantity in production, and top quality in terms of finishing and watchmaking.

The DB28 may be one of De Bethune’s most iconic and recognizable models, thanks to its sporty, futuristic design and architecture resembling something out of a sci-fi movie. And the present lot, DB28 'Steel Wheels' may be in fact of the best iterations of the line, featuring an open-work design, spherical moon phases, 'mobile' lugs, and sapphire hands. Although large on paper at 43 mm., the watch is very lightweight and comfortable thanks to an almost near manufacturing from titanium which includes the case, movement, hands, and buckle. Further, the very expensive and incredibly difficult to create grade 5 titanium case and buckle are highly scratch resistant and durable, making the sports watch easy to wear on any occasion. Reference DB28 'Steel Wheels' also features De Bethune’s signature mobile lugs that allow the watch to flex and mold to one’s wrist.

As an independent watchmaker, De Bethune timepieces are full of proprietary components and patents, thanks to master watchmakers and co-owner Denis Flageollet. The present reference incorporates these designs such as the triangular skeletonized central bridge that holds the two, skeletonized 'steel' winding wheels which engage the twin-barrels allowing for an impressive 6-day power reserve. These components are visible due to the openwork design which allows the brand to exhibit its top-quality finishing. The hour hand is impressively cut from sapphire with a blued titanium rim along with the minutes hand. The blued titanium can only be fully appreciated when handling in person due to the lustrous, saturated color of titanium that exceeds steel. The hour markers are also spherical balls which can be enjoyed from any angle and add depth to the watch. At the bottom, one is captivated by the patented, oversized, titanium balance bridge specifically designed for precision timekeeping. The triple pare-chute shock-absorbing system holds a titanium balance with white gold inserts for adjustment. Additionally the watch has a spherical moon phases at the bottom to add further depth and complexity.

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