De Bethune DB28 "Commande Special" Rose Gold Zirconium

Yes it was obvious,all of you guessed correctly,what else could have committed for if not for another De Bethune.



My love for the brand is no mystery,I still consider De Bethune amongst the best independent brands,definitely my clear favourite.
I love many other independent watches but the difference with De Bethune is that they don t just offer one watch at the time,but constantly deliver new collections(even sometimes there is too much to digest in my opinion),never milk the same cow but push the boundaries all the time with great creations on both aspects technical and aesthetically.

De Bethune is a manufacture,not a name,not a single watchmaker,thats what I like most about them.

The quality and variety of each collection is enough to satisfy my craves for watches all year long so much they offer:classic,daring,experimental,but still with strong links to the history of horologerie,never for granted,never flashy for the sake of it but always with an enormous horological content.

More than a year ago I started planning my new De Bethune,it had to be something different from my starry sky,the eclectic collection of the brand left me with so many choices…but one in particular caught my eye,an example of design,sleekness,awesomeness,full of DB dna:the DB28.

After the DB 28 saw the international lights directed on him(especially after winning the controversial GPHH 2011),I decided to go for it,but as I was going independent again,I wanted to create something more personal,something with a little difference that will make it mine even more so.

De Bethune gave me the opportunity to customise and create a one of DB28 and I am ever so grateful they let me do it.

I must admit I prefer the normal DB28 to its tourbillon version,first and foremost I am not incredibly keen on the twirling escapement,secondly,the fact of having that beautiful silicon balance and its flat terminal curve spring breathing on your wrist makes up for it,thirdly I find the location of the moon phase at 6 an incredible successful design….when full it looks an inflated hour marker,when black it adds so much character,and when in between it s just magic to watch.
The moon indication had to be half silver(palladium),half black(zirconium) to match the beautiful rehaut and lugs…

After eyeing a great combination in their tourbillon version,I decided to go for a rose gold version with zirconium lugs,I wanted something opulent ,majestic,with loads of charm and mistery and I thought this combo could do the trick.







The use of polished zirconium for the floating lugs is just incredible,they look like they are made from glass,catching the light in such a way,so smooth and glossy…..and ..black!
These lugs are to die for,their design is just so clever,the watch floats on the wrist,its so comfortable.


The crown is a work of art….

Another request I made,which I think contribute to the opulence of this watch,and makes arguably the main feature ,was to flat polish the 2 lateral top bridges holding the triple parachute.
Normally they are decorated with cotes and have the barrel rubies showing trough.
I opted for a sheer black three bridges with no holes showing,reminiscing of the Dream Watch 1…the sleekness of these bridges is something I ve never seen before,the contrast with the cotes De Bethune underneath is just incredible.






Magnificent Zirconium buckle with RG pin

And the back….code is broken!


This watch is all about levels,details,constant change of rhythm to create a rich,indulgent symphony.
Not an easy understated watch for sure,but hell,I want to go bold but with overwhelming richness…and I think this watch has it all.

Now the honey moon begins,these are my first impressions,to tell you the truth,I need to digest it a lot,every time there are more details to look at….for example that optimum performance indicator between 2 and 3,the exotic materials involved….



I am not considering,yet,the technical aspects:the 6 days power reserve assured by the self regulating twin barrels,the triple parachute,the silicon escape wheel etc…..I am too taken by its overwhelming power …as i said I need to digest….and these are the first pictures I took with emergency means..I don t have my usual set up…

More will follow for sure,you will see a lot of this watch……as for me I am almost too excited,this is another slice of heaven…another dream I am so grateful to have achieved.

Mo