De Bethune’s latest creation, the DB Kind of Grande Complication, epitomizes the fusion of innovative design and traditional craftsmanship.
Spearheaded by Denis Flageollet and his talented team, this exceptional timepiece encapsulates the technical and artistic expertise cultivated at De Bethune’s L’Auberson workshops.
Innovative Design and Functionality
The timepiece features a reversible double-sided case, allowing for the display of numerous complications and offering a platform for creative aesthetic expression. The case incorporates a rotation system with floating lugs, enabling smooth, accurate swivelling around its central axis. This system involves over 60 components, ensuring precision and water resistance.
The rounded case design includes a crown positioned at 12 o’clock on the contemporary side and at 6 o’clock on the traditional side. Inside, the DB Kind of Grande Complication houses eight distinct horological complications, including a perpetual calendar, spherical moon-phase indicator, retrograde age of the Moon and leap years, and an ultra-light tourbillon in blued titanium.
Technical Mastery and Aesthetic Refinement
Integrating the 751 components required for its exterior and movement posed significant challenges. Each complication interacts harmoniously within the calibre, showcasing De Bethune’s mastery over its 32 calibres. The contemporary side of the watch features Calibre DB2529, with a contrast between the high-speed 36,000 vph tourbillon and the slower, elegant seconds hand.
The classic side boasts a perpetual calendar and a three-dimensional moon-phase display. The blued mirror-polished titanium dial highlights the brand’s signature De Bethune Blue, with a hand-decorated starry sky and a moon-phase indicator that requires 112 years to accumulate a one-day deviation. The intricate design includes a leap-year indicator and delicate details that reflect 18th-century fine watchmaking.
An Exquisite Creation
Crafting the DB Kind of Grande Complication involves intricate technical processes and exceptional skill. Flageollet likens his watchmakers to top athletes, emphasizing the extraordinary concentration and mental strength required for final assembly.
The DB Kind of Grande Complication is more than a watch; it is a masterpiece that captures De Bethune’s essence, blending innovative purpose with traditional expertise.
Retailing for SGD 660,000 with tax, it represents the pinnacle of De Bethune’s watchmaking art.