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Lot Essay
Kind of magic reflects the enchanting encounter between two watchmakers, Denis Flageollet and Kari Voutilainen, based on mutual respect, a common vision of watchmaking and a unique sense of independence.
In support of the Only Watch biennial charity auction of unique timekeepers, De Bethune and Voutilainen, two beautiful independent manufactures have decided to join their strength and know-how while respecting this tradition of independence and keeping a common vision of watchmaking.
From a mutual respect for each other's work, a unique work of art with two faces was born, offering a similar time on both sides, but a somewhat different display.
On one side, as on the other, the two independent watchmakers are perfectly distinguished by their own code.
Featuring a sleek, contemporary design that gives pride of place to the mechanics. It is a new reading of the hour centered around the balance, accompanied by the minute index on the periphery.
On the other side, we discover a dial with a deadbeat second and an original display of hours and minutes that breaks the familiar code of instant reading of the time. Hands superimposed where we do not expect them, equal angles between the hands when they should evolve. This face allows us to appreciate the time by capturing our attention. Totally bewitching!
COLLABORATION
Denis Flageollet: "Kari and I share the blood-line of watchmaking know-how passed on by the man who taught us both: Charles Meylan. I am pleased that we are combining our experience with that of Voutilainen for the beautiful cause represented by Only Watch 2021, and delighted by this moment of sharing."
Denis Flageollet and Kari Voutilainen are more than linked, they shared the same master watchmaker: Charles Meylan. Through this unique piece, the essence of their two worlds is honored and a common vision of watchmaking affirmed.
Charles Meylan: 1920-2008 Born in the Vallée de Joux, technical director of Favre Leuba in Fleurier and then of Audemars Piguet, this talented master watchmaker took Denis Flageollet under his wing at the start of his career as a watchmaker and a few years later that of Kari Voutilainen. A great connoisseur of complicated watches, good-natured yet uncompromising about the quality of his work, he played a key role in passing on horological knowledge to the new generation during the great mechanical watchmaking crisis between 1975 and 1985.
HISTORY OF THE BRAND
Founded in 2002, Manufacture De Bethune is an independent watchmaker that develops and produces everything in house.
Since its founding, De Bethune has developed no less than 29 calibres, presented 30 or so world firsts, filed a number of patents and launched around 150 one-of-a-kind models. Its timepieces have won awards in major international competitions.
Through its creations, De Bethune is perpetuating the work of the great 18th century master watchmakers in their quest for perfect time measurement backed by a sense of supreme aesthetic beauty. Leveraging cutting-edge scientific and technological discoveries, its efforts are devoted to inventing unique, innovative and high-performance solutions.
Not doing more, but instead doing better; drawing inspiration from the past so as to perpetually reinvent it and create bridges with other fields of knowledge. Such are the principles guiding De Bethune in developing horological mechanisms and expressing artistic creativity.
Testifying to this quest for perfection and this tireless pursuit of beauty, the pure style, taut lines and slenderness of the cases embody a contemporary interpretation of the watchmaking art according to De Bethune.
Shaping 21st century watchmaking while safeguarding the finest traditions, firmly rooted in history and resolutely looking to the future, De Bethune pursues an outstanding approach effectively combining art and science.
In support of the Only Watch biennial charity auction of unique timekeepers, De Bethune and Voutilainen, two beautiful independent manufactures have decided to join their strength and know-how while respecting this tradition of independence and keeping a common vision of watchmaking.
From a mutual respect for each other's work, a unique work of art with two faces was born, offering a similar time on both sides, but a somewhat different display.
On one side, as on the other, the two independent watchmakers are perfectly distinguished by their own code.
Featuring a sleek, contemporary design that gives pride of place to the mechanics. It is a new reading of the hour centered around the balance, accompanied by the minute index on the periphery.
On the other side, we discover a dial with a deadbeat second and an original display of hours and minutes that breaks the familiar code of instant reading of the time. Hands superimposed where we do not expect them, equal angles between the hands when they should evolve. This face allows us to appreciate the time by capturing our attention. Totally bewitching!
COLLABORATION
Denis Flageollet: "Kari and I share the blood-line of watchmaking know-how passed on by the man who taught us both: Charles Meylan. I am pleased that we are combining our experience with that of Voutilainen for the beautiful cause represented by Only Watch 2021, and delighted by this moment of sharing."
Denis Flageollet and Kari Voutilainen are more than linked, they shared the same master watchmaker: Charles Meylan. Through this unique piece, the essence of their two worlds is honored and a common vision of watchmaking affirmed.
Charles Meylan: 1920-2008 Born in the Vallée de Joux, technical director of Favre Leuba in Fleurier and then of Audemars Piguet, this talented master watchmaker took Denis Flageollet under his wing at the start of his career as a watchmaker and a few years later that of Kari Voutilainen. A great connoisseur of complicated watches, good-natured yet uncompromising about the quality of his work, he played a key role in passing on horological knowledge to the new generation during the great mechanical watchmaking crisis between 1975 and 1985.
HISTORY OF THE BRAND
Founded in 2002, Manufacture De Bethune is an independent watchmaker that develops and produces everything in house.
Since its founding, De Bethune has developed no less than 29 calibres, presented 30 or so world firsts, filed a number of patents and launched around 150 one-of-a-kind models. Its timepieces have won awards in major international competitions.
Through its creations, De Bethune is perpetuating the work of the great 18th century master watchmakers in their quest for perfect time measurement backed by a sense of supreme aesthetic beauty. Leveraging cutting-edge scientific and technological discoveries, its efforts are devoted to inventing unique, innovative and high-performance solutions.
Not doing more, but instead doing better; drawing inspiration from the past so as to perpetually reinvent it and create bridges with other fields of knowledge. Such are the principles guiding De Bethune in developing horological mechanisms and expressing artistic creativity.
Testifying to this quest for perfection and this tireless pursuit of beauty, the pure style, taut lines and slenderness of the cases embody a contemporary interpretation of the watchmaking art according to De Bethune.
Shaping 21st century watchmaking while safeguarding the finest traditions, firmly rooted in history and resolutely looking to the future, De Bethune pursues an outstanding approach effectively combining art and science.