Released in 2005, the De Bethune DBS-R was an innovative benchmark that set the design language for the iconic DB28. Featuring a mesmeric and futuristic case design that resembles elements of a pocket watch due to its positioning of the crown at 12 o’clock and its articulated hooded lugs on the top side and the firm’s bullet style lugs on the bottom side is a fusion of the past and the future. While its case design is considered rather traditional within the space of De Bethune models, the dial is noting short of extraordinary.

The semi-skeletonized dial is purely what the firm is all about. With an arrowhead-shaped plate on the dial decorated with Geneva stripes it further features an open balance that is another signature of the firm. Indicated via a pair of blued hands, it also features a 3D spherical moon phase display at 6 o’clock, a wonderful feature and an iconic complication for the firm. Since its launch in 2005, the DBS was made available in several variants including examples in white gold and platinum, with pink gold examples being the rarest among them all with only a total of 30 examples produced for its regular models.

The present example De Bethune DBS-R is simply out of this equation, featuring a sandblasted chapter ring in blue repeated in its inner arrowhead plate, it creates a unique contrast against the pink gold case. Most likely a unique piece and a special request from the firm’s loyal client, the present example has never been seen before in its configuration. Presented in practically unworn condition with its factory protective stickers intact, this unique variant of the DBS-R will surely impress and garner interest from collectors of great independent timepieces.