De Bethune - RETROSPECTIVE: 2000 - 2020 Geneva Sunday, November 8, 2020 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: De Bethune
    Year: Circa 2014
    Reference No: DB29RS1
    Movement No: DB.K001.019
    Case No: 004
    Model Name: Maxichrono Tourbillon
    Material: 18k pink gold
    Calibre: Mechanical, DB2039, 53 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k pink gold De Bethune pin buckle
    Dimensions: 46mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by De Bethune original undated Certificate of Origin and Warranty, travel pouch, leather folio, loupe, outer box and fitted presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    For Denis Flageollet, co-founder and genius watchmaker of De Bethune, innovation is the tradition of watchmaking. A mantra that he applies daily in his lab constantly inventing and pushing not only the boundaries of watchmaking but that of engineering and physics.

    The present DB29 Maxichrono Tourbillon is truly a signature piece of Flageollet’s work.

    With its distinctive roundness and its hunter case back featuring a rare fully invisible hinge, the DB29 immediately recalls the charm of 18th century pocket watches. The lack of lugs and the way the case is constructed make the watch sit much smaller on the wrist than its 46mm diameter suggests.

    However, do not be fooled by the apparent simplicity of the watch’s appearance for it is a technical masterpiece in all aspects and the result of seven years of research and development.
    Dial side the watch looks like a simple three hand watch, whereas in fact it is a chronograph with five centrally mounted hands. Hands for minutes, hours, the seconds counter, the minutes counter and the hours counter. The chronograph is activated via the crown.

    A discreet button on the case side enables the hinged back to open and to unveil the mind boggling movement, fully developed in house. The unique architecture of the movement whose incredible finish cannot be underlined enough highlights the three column wheels as well as the high beat 30-second tourbillon in silicon and titanium, composed of 63 parts weighing a total of only 0.18 grams!

    Made in only 20 pieces the DB29 Maxichrono Tourbillon is a watch like no other that sets new boundaries in watchmaking.

269

Ref. DB29RS1
An incredibly avant-garde pink gold chronograph wristwatch with tourbillon, certificate of origin and presentation box

Circa 2014
46mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed.

Estimate
CHF50,000 - 100,000 
€46,300-92,700
$54,500-109,000

Sold for CHF75,600

Contact Specialist

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

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

 

Thomas Perazzi

Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2031

WatchesHK@phillips.com

RETROSPECTIVE: 2000 - 2020

Geneva Auction 8 November 2020