De Bethune Packs 8 Complications Into a New Double-Sided Masterpiece
In 2011, De Bethune was awarded the coveted l’Aiguille d’Or at the GPHG for its DB28. The model marked a new era for the brand, merging two design languages: one honoring the traditions of watchmaking and one avant-garde and futuristic. For Denis Flageollet, his approach to design has always taken into account the past that continues to inspire him and the advantages that new materials and technologies afford. As a young watchmaker, the double-sided grand complication rooted itself in his subconscious, and today, he brings his dream to life. This is the DB Kind of Grande Complication.
The watch includes either complications: a perpetual calendar, a spherical moonphase indication, a retrograde age of the Moon, leap years, an ultra-light tourbillon, jumping seconds, a power reserve indicator, as well as the double display of hours and minute. All of that is housed in a dual-sided rotating case. For the case alone, the brand corporates a rotation system of more than 60 components mounted on De Bethune’s signature floating lugs that enable the case to pivot around its central axis smoothly and precisely.
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On the traditional side of the case, you get the crown positioned at six o’clock and a look that’s conservative, elegant and quintessentially De Bethune. Here, you have a blue mirror polished titanium dial with a hand-decorated sky fitted with small white gold pins depicting the stars of the Milky Way. The stars are produced by laser-beam micro-milling and gilded with 24-carat gold leaf. In addition, the perpetual calendar and three-dimensional moonphase are on full display.
Flip the watch over, and you’ll find the more contemporary personality while still retaining the essence of De Bethune. Here, the crown is now positioned at 12 o’clock and the refined architecture of caliber DB2529 is visible in all its glory along with the end of the power reserve gauge and the age of the Moon by means of a retrograde silver-toned indicator that facilitates accurate updating of the lunar day. Tucked at six o’clock is the tourbillon—one of the lightest and fastest on the market, weighing just 0.18 grams.
The DB Kind of Grande Complication is available today, priced at $475,000 with just five pieces being produced each year.
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