De Bethune - The Geneva Watch Auction: XI Geneva Sunday, June 28, 2020 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: De Bethune
    Year: Circa 2015
    Reference No: DB27ZS8
    Movement No: DB.G.003.041
    Case No: 013
    Model Name: Titan Hawk
    Material: Zirconium
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. S233, 36 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Zirconium DeBethune pin buckle
    Dimensions: 43mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by fitted box, travel box, Certificate of Origin and Warranty and instruction manual

  • Catalogue Essay

    Denis Flageollet, the co-founder of De Bethune and its master watchmaker could be the child of Abraham-Louis Breguet and a genius alien space goddess! Master Watchmaker is a mild description of his incredible talent, the manner he dreams movements creating 21st century horology with new techniques and new components is truly mind boggling.

    Imagine that since its creation in 2002 De Bethune has given birth to over 30 in-house calibers, a dozen patent registrations and over eighteen world premiere innovations. An amazing feat for such a young brand.

    For Denis Flageollet, innovation is the tradition of watchmaking. That is the reason why he doesn’t simply modify or improve traditional techniques, but has taken an almost scientific and mathematical approach to watchmaking by not only creating a new haute horlogerie in terms of technical innovations, he has completely changed movement architecture and finish as to offer what is certainly one of the most striking results in contemporary horology.

    The present DB 27 Titan Hawk in zirconium (a scratch proof and incredibly difficult to work with metal) may seem simple with its time and date indications but a cavalcade of details add up to make it a superbly enticing watch.

    Design wise, the dial with its layered surfaces and concentric circles provides a playful partner for the black mat case. The case features a spring loaded floating lug system enabling the watch to adapt to the wrist for ease of wear. The movement is a marvel of finesse and technology, including many of the De Bethune in-house developed innovations, like the patented self-regulating twin barrel, silicon/white gold balance and the balance spring with flat terminal curve, the triple pare-chute shock-absorbing system, the titanium/platinum oscillating weight and the silicon escape-wheel which can be admired via the porthole in the back. The watch also boasts a 6 day power reserve.

    De Bethune is most probably horology’s best kept secret and a brand that only those in the know…know. The present watch- in unworn condition- of which only 27 were made, is an opportunity for the collector of fine horology to delve into the wonderful creations of this amazing brand.

139

Ref. DB27ZS8
A very rare and technically impressive zirconium wristwatch with date and 6 days power reserve

Circa 2015
43mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF15,000 - 25,000 
€13,900-23,200
$16,400-27,300

Sold for CHF43,750

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XI

Geneva Auction 27 - 28 June 2020