Haute horlogerie marque De Bethune unveiled its 31st in-house calibre with the release of the DB Eight; its monopusher chronograph continues a long tradition of classic single-button chronographs, including the DB1 and DB8. The maison also launched its DBD “Season 2” watch in collaboration with renowned artist and music producer Swizz Beatz, at a private brunch held on March 19, 2023, at the new WatchBox lounge in West Hollywood
DB Eight
The DB Eight is an evolution in De Bethune’s exploration of the single-pusher chronograph. Denis Flageollet and Claire Wolf have designed a supremely refined classic guilloché dial and developed a brand-new chronograph calibre by placing its counter at 6 o’clock so that it could be as large as possible in order to provide a highly readable 60-minute indication. When the chronograph is reset to zero, the tail of the chronograph hand subtly covers that of the minutes counter in such a way that the hands are overlaid. This perfectly designed maxi dial, framed by a slender bezel and a delicate railway-type outer seconds track endows this 42.4 mm watch with both undeniable elegance and perfect legibility. Beating inside is a new chronograph calibre: the 31st produced by De Bethune and its fourth monopusher chronograph base calibre after the DB1, DB8, and Maxichrono.
Denis Flageollet and Claire Wolf chose to develop a classic column-wheel mechanism equipped with an instantaneous minutes counter, a technical feat for a single-pusher calibre with a 60-minute counter. The extreme thinness of the wheel’s teeth makes it a veritable technical challenge. Although the calibre remains traditional, the technology of the functions is on the cutting edge of the knowledge acquired by the Manufacture. All the elements of the escapement and balance are based on the finest elements featured in De Bethune calibres, notably its patented balance-spring with flat terminal curve, titanium balance with white gold inertia-blocks, along with the silicon escape-wheel.
Demonstrating the greatest respect for the traditions of Manufacture De Bethune as well as the history of classical watchmaking, the DB Eight perfectly combines technical progress, state-of-the-art materials, refined design, and a harmonious movement. Its pure design features all-titanium exterior elements including the case middle, case-back, bezel and hands. This results in an extremely pleasant light feel for the wearer and is highly unusual for a traditional watch.
DBD Digitale “Season 2”
With its hand-wound movement driving an in-line triple calendar and digital time display, the first DBD launched in 2006 offered an entirely different interpretation of the watch and became an industry milestone of which De Bethune produced 39 rose or white gold models. Designed in collaboration with Swizz Beatz, the light anthracite-coloured polished zirconium case of the DBD “Season 2” conveys the modern and even futuristic nature of this timepiece with its 12 o’clock crown and ogival lugs. The burgundy dial with a Côtes de Genève motif reveals subtle light effects entirely in harmony with the wearer’s wrist movements. This boldly contemporary DBD “Season 2” reflects the authenticity of a multidimensional artist.
Five discs visible through Art Deco-style apertures at 12 o’clock indicate the day, date, and month in linear mode, while jumping hours and scrolling minutes appear opposite each other on the lower half of the dial. In addition to its impressive movement, the DBD’s greatest innovation is the Côtes de Genève pattern adorning the dial, as its 2006 launch was the first time in the world that a watch brand has introduced this type of decoration on a watch face. Thanks to the double glare-proofing treatment of the sapphire crystal, the reverse side of the watch clearly reveals outstanding workmanship benefiting from all the latest De Bethune technologies.
Powered by mechanical hand-wound Calibre DB2044 operating at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour, the DBD “Season 2” is equipped with the latest titanium balance with white gold inserts as well as the triple pare-chute shock-absorbing system. Issued in a 13-piece numbered limited edition featuring a duly engraved caseback, the timepiece will be delivered with a burgundy fabric strap matching the dial and an extra-supple black alligator leather strap.
