Manufacturer: De Bethune Year: 2011 Reference No: DB25LWS1V1 Movement No: 2105.158 Case No: 034 Model Name: DB25L Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Manual, cal. DB21055, 25 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Alligator Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold De Bethune pin buckle Dimensions: 44.5mm Diameter Signed: Dial, movement and buckle signed. Accessories: Accompanied by fitted presentation box, inner rigid travel case, outer cardboard box and Certificate of Origin and Warranty dated November 8. 2011. Literature: De Bethune and the DB25L are illustrated in Watchmakers: The Masters of Art Horology by Maxima Gallery pp. 104-121.
Catalogue Essay
De Bethune is most probably the greatest brand you have never heard of.
Created in 2002 by David Zanetta, a collector of vintage timepieces and art, and Denis Flageollet, a genius watchmaker who started his career restoring vintage timepieces and developing extremely complicated movements for others, De Bethune has gained a reputation amongst collectors as one of the originators of creative contemporary independent watchmaking.
Since its creation, De Bethune has given birth to 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, the genius watchmaker behind the brand, 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 21st century 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.
Were watchmaking greats such as Abraham-Louis Breguet, Ferdinand Berthoud or Antide Janvier alive today, they would certainly be making the same watches as De Bethune.
The present DB25L is perfectly in sync with the De Bethune philosophy of not wanting to repeat the past but to continuously go forward and bring new ideas and mix traditional designs with innovative technical movements.
This ultra-progressive timepiece features a hand guilloché silver dial and what has become a De Bethune signature: a three dimensional spherical moon phase display made of titanium and platinum and accurate up to 122 years.
The 307 component movement features a five day power reserve indicator and the following list of impressive features: self-regulating twin barrel for better distribution of power, titanium/platinum balance wheel, silicon/platinum balance, triple pare-chute shock-absorbing and silicon escape-wheel.
In overall excellent condition, the present DB25 is a milestone of contemporary haute horlogerie and a must have for the collector looking for something different that only De Bethune can offer. Please note that De Bethune kindly offers a complementary servicing of the watch to the winning bidder.