Lot 115
115
De Bethune. A fine, rare and innovative titanium semi-skeletonised wristwatch with spherical moon phase, power reserve and floating lugs
On lots marked with an + in the catalogue, VAT wil… Read more DE BETHUNEDB28 Tourbillon N°1
De Bethune. A fine, rare and innovative titanium semi-skeletonised wristwatch with spherical moon phase, power reserve and floating lugs

Signed De Bethune, DB28-TIS8 model, no. 001, ref. DB28TIS8C3PN, circa 2010

Details
De Bethune. A fine, rare and innovative titanium semi-skeletonised wristwatch with spherical moon phase, power reserve and floating lugs
Signed De Bethune, DB28-TIS8 model, no. 001, ref. DB28TIS8C3PN, circa 2010
Movement: manual, cal. DB 2115, 38 jewels
Dial: semi-skeletonised, aperture for the balance visible through the dial with anchor-shaped black polished steel centre, applied dot numerals with blued outer ring, spherical revolving moon below, pierced hands
Case: glazed back secured by eight screws displaying the power reserve indication, pierced integrated articulating lugs, screw down crown
Signed: case and movement signed
Dimensions: 42.5 mm. diam.
With: titanium De Bethune buckle, Certificate of Origin dated 11th April 2011, product literature, fitted case and box
Special Notice
On lots marked with an + in the catalogue, VAT will be charged at 8% on both the premium as well as the hammer price. Many of the watches offered for sale in this catalogue are pictured with straps made of endangered or protected animal materials such as alligator or crocodile. These endangered species straps are shown for display purposes only and are not for sale. Christie’s will remove and retain the strap prior to shipment from the sale site. At some sale sites, Christie’s may, at its discretion, make the displayed endangered species strap available to the buyer of the lot free of charge if collected in person from the sale site within 1 year of the date of the sale. Please check with the department for details on a particular lot.

Lot Essay

The present watch is number 001 of De Bethune’s famous DB28 titanium series. The model is known for the astonishing lightness of its case and the comfort of its patented floating lugs which adapt automatically to the size of the wrist and its various movements, thereby guaranteeing optimal stability. Precision is enhanced by the manufacturer’s latest technological innovations which includes a self-regulating twin barrel, balance spring with flat terminal curve, triple pare-chute shock absorbing system, silicon balance wheel and the distinctive palladium and blued steel spherical moon phase indication accurate to a degree of one lunar day every 122 years.

Founded in 2002 by David Zanetta and Denis Flageollet, De Bethune quickly flourished in the watch industry by merging both peerless aesthetic with the latest horological breakthroughs. The deceptively simple elegance of their designs serves well in magnifying the complexity of the materials and processes involved in the creation of their timepieces. As De Bethune crafts an extremely limited amount of timepieces per year, the philosophy of the company has been to create better rather than more, and to draw inspiration from age-old expertise in order to constantly invent the future.
The company won the 2011 “Aiguille D’Or”, the highest distinction awarded by Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève (Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix) for its DB28 model.

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