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De Bethune celebrates the tenth anniversary of its groundbreaking DB28 in 2020 and, as Ian Skellern’s relationship with the model goes back the full decade, it seems an appropriate time for him to share the story of how he came to launch the DB28, own a DB28, and what he thinks of the DB28 after wearing one regularly for seven years.
The De Bethune DW5 is supposed to be, as its name suggests, a fantasy object, a dream of sci-fi splendor. Out of all the Dream Watch editions, though, the DW5 is by far the most fantasy inspired and has a good claim on being simply perfect.
After a recent ownership change, De Bethune is getting back to what it is best at: making awesome watches exemplifying modernity and technical excellence. The recently introduced DB28 Steel Wheels Blue distills the brand’s very essence in the perfect way.
Science fiction asks that you remember those that tell you “it can’t be done” are right . . . if you believe them. Never believe them. The watch I want to focus on today is from a brand that always brings its A-game. This brand is a science-fictionalist. This brand is De Bethune. And the watch we’re talking about here is the DB28 GS.
The DB28 Digitale is a masterpiece that debuted earlier this year. While straightforward in its appearance, it is truly a work of horological expertise and pure beauty. But more so, it is clearly the result of a healthy dose of inspiration from Urania. The focus on this piece is actually the large expanse that is cleanly decorated but remains without superfluous ornamentation.
De Bethune has two main styles of timepieces in their collection: one which is more contemporary with models like the DB28 and Dream Watches, the other more classical. And the beautiful DB16 is as classical as they come, both in looks and in complications.
The extremely legible dial design belies an incredible number of indications and complications: central hours and minutes; small seconds; perpetual calendar with day, date, and month; spherical moon-phase; leap-year indication; age of the moon; power reserve indicator; and 30-second tourbillon.
De Bethune has a thing for stars, but the way that they present them in the DB28xs Starry Seas is something that we haven’t seen before. As the name already hints, are the stars reflected in an ocean full of waves. To create this effect, De Bethune invented a random guilloché pattern, a world’s first, representing the waves.
I love watches made by small independent artisans because they fully embody the vision of their makers, who have put blood, sweat, and tears into creating them. Among the independent brands, De Bethune is most probably my favorite. In fact, no probably about it: De Bethune is my favorite. After close to a year of thought, I finally approached the De Bethune team to discuss a customized Maxichrono. Here’s how it played out.
I’ll say this right up front: The De Bethune DB28 is my favorite watch. But what do you think that this particular De Bethune DB28 might be doing in this car at this particular time? Perhaps it is being worn by a contract killer en route to a drive-by assassination? Or an Uber driver who has profited by surge pricing? Let us know your suggestions!
Yes, you read that title correctly: the DB25 launched at the 2016 SIHH displays world time and a second time zone in a mysterious manner. And, yes, “mysterious” is a common technical term in watchmaking for a certain type of indication. And, no, this isn’t your run-of-the-mill world time watch. It is from De Bethune after all.
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