Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The De Bethune DBD Evergreen Digitale
A green version of the De Bethune “Digitale” presented on the occasion of the Dubai Watch Week
Ever since its creation in 2002, De Bethune has shown a unique approach to watchmaking, combining artistic and technical innovation. The works of Denis Flageollet, the mastermind behind the brand, have placed the brand outside mainstream watchmaking in a class of its own. A case in point, the DBD Digitale combines a distinctive case design and a unique time display that references old pocket watches with an in-line complete calendar and jumping hours. The model is now released in a new limited edition, the De Bethune DBD Evergreen, unveiled during Dubai Watch Week.
The story of this spectacular yet elegant display starts in 2006 with the DBS Digitale, which was yet another horological UFO of De Bethune. Powered by a hand-wound movement, it featured a stacked digital display with an in-line triple calendar, jumping hours and dragging minutes. All the crucial calendar indications (day-date-month) were displayed in an uninterrupted line of text, resulting in a highly intuitive reading. Just below, another window allowed to read the minutes, while a fifth one at 6 o’clock showed the jumping hours. Seemingly simple but easier said than done… Turning the watch over, the caseback of the original DBS Digitale featured a starry sky with a spherical moon phase display.
The story continues with the DBD Season 2, a burgundy-coloured limited edition presented earlier this year in collaboration with artist Swiss Beastz. One of the main changes compared to the historical DBS Digitale is that the model no longer features the moon phase indicator on the caseback. For Dubai Watch Week 2023, we now get a green version of this De Bethune DBD. The plate that serves as a dial is rendered in a deep green colour, slightly less polarizing than the burgundy iteration. Following the style found on previous DBS/DBD watches, the dial is adorned with beautifully executed De Bethune waves, three rubies and a plate bearing the brand’s name.
The quirky 42.6mm case is fashioned out of polished grade 5 titanium. It combines a pocket watch-inspired bow attachment at 12 o’clock, protecting the crown with distinctive ogivale lugs at 6 o’clock. A set of correctors allows for adjusting the calendar indications. The water resistance is rated at 30m.
Visible via the exhibition caseback is the beautiful, distinctive hand-wound calibre DB2044 beating at 4Hz. It features a silicon escape wheel and De Bethune’s patented triple pare-chute shock absorbing system. Thanks to two barrels – visible under the delta-shaped bridge – it boasts a solid 5-day power reserve. And as you have come to expect from De Bethune, the movement is superbly crafted and decorated.
The De Bethune DBD Evergreen is presented on a beige fabric or extra-supple alligator strap with a titanium pin buckle. The watch is released in an exclusive limited edition of 20 pieces. The price is set at CHF 105,000.
For more information, please visit www.debethune.ch.
1 response
It’s a pretty watch, but I feel that at this price point, it should be 40mm, not 42mm, and it should have a movement that is actually decorated, one way or another.
Also, with so much of a blank canvas available on the dial, the apertures for the date, day and time should also be a bit bigger.
Overall it’s pretty disappointing actually.