19Σ︎
De Bethune
Ref. DB15WT
DB15 "Number 001"
A historically important and beautifully engineered white gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with spherical moonphase display, leap year indicator, guarantee, and presentation box, numbered 001
Estimate
$30,000–60,000
Live June 13, 10:00 AM ET
Manufacturer
De Bethune
Year
Circa 2005, Switzerland
Reference No
DB15WT
Movement No
112-2004
Case No
No. 001
Model Name
DB15 "Number 001"
Material
18K white gold
Calibre
Manual, cal. DB2004, 48 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Crocodile
Clasp/Buckle
18K white gold De Bethune deployant clasp
Dimensions
43.5mm Diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed.
Accessories
Accompanied by Certificate of Authenticity, paper sleeve, setting pin, fitted presentation box, instructions for use, and outer box.
Full-Cataloguing
GOOD TO KNOW
• Most probably the very first De Bethune watch sold with an in-house movement
• Numbered 001
• Fresh-to-market and full set
Horological maestro Denis Flageollet teamed up with collector extraordinaire David Zanetta in 2002 to create the independent watchmaking tour-de-force that is De Bethune, striving to implement avant-garde designs rooted in traditional watchmaking principals. In the two decades since they began to make watches together, they have developed over thirty in-house movements and a cavalcade of technical innovations.
First introduced in 2004, the De Bethune DB15WT Perpetual Calendar represents a historically significant milestone—the first reference marking the brand’s achievement of fully in-house production. Considered a “landmark” model, the DB15W featured their first in- house movement, the caliber DB2004, featuring a three-spoke titanium balance and astronomical moonphase indicator accurate to one lunar day every 122 years. It is a highly legible, clean, delicate, and elegant perpetual calendar combining De Bethune’s signature design cues for the dial and technically evolved movement elements. It also was the first De Bethune wristwatch to introduce their now signature spherical moonphase indicator. All this topped with a dial evocative of the contemporary offerings of the brand, but in the smaller case size and early ogival lugs.
Elevating the importance of this watch, numbered 001, it is most probably the first De Bethune watch sold with a fully in-house movement. The significance of such a pivotal watch in the evolution of De Bethune as one of the foremost producers of high-end independent watches cannot be understated. Futhermore, this example is well preserved and comes with its complete suite of accessories.
• Most probably the very first De Bethune watch sold with an in-house movement
• Numbered 001
• Fresh-to-market and full set
Horological maestro Denis Flageollet teamed up with collector extraordinaire David Zanetta in 2002 to create the independent watchmaking tour-de-force that is De Bethune, striving to implement avant-garde designs rooted in traditional watchmaking principals. In the two decades since they began to make watches together, they have developed over thirty in-house movements and a cavalcade of technical innovations.
First introduced in 2004, the De Bethune DB15WT Perpetual Calendar represents a historically significant milestone—the first reference marking the brand’s achievement of fully in-house production. Considered a “landmark” model, the DB15W featured their first in- house movement, the caliber DB2004, featuring a three-spoke titanium balance and astronomical moonphase indicator accurate to one lunar day every 122 years. It is a highly legible, clean, delicate, and elegant perpetual calendar combining De Bethune’s signature design cues for the dial and technically evolved movement elements. It also was the first De Bethune wristwatch to introduce their now signature spherical moonphase indicator. All this topped with a dial evocative of the contemporary offerings of the brand, but in the smaller case size and early ogival lugs.
Elevating the importance of this watch, numbered 001, it is most probably the first De Bethune watch sold with a fully in-house movement. The significance of such a pivotal watch in the evolution of De Bethune as one of the foremost producers of high-end independent watches cannot be understated. Futhermore, this example is well preserved and comes with its complete suite of accessories.