Important Collectors Watches, Pocket...
Geneva, Oct 14, 2007
LOT 111
?DB 1? De Bethune ?DB 1?, Ref. DB1, case No. 13. Made in 2002. Fine and rare, water resistant, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with single button chronograph and 18K yellow gold buckle. Accompanied by fitted box and certificate.
CHF 20,000 - 25,000
EUR 12,000 - 15,000 / USD 17,000 - 20,000
C. Three body, polished, case back with screws, ogival lugs, sapphire crystal. D. Silver with hand guilloché pattern, painted blue roman numerals, 30 minute-counter at 3 o?clock and seconds counter at 9 o?clock. Blued steel ?Breguet? hands. M. Caliber De Bethune 2002, decorated with ?Côtes de Genève? and hand-polished, Swiss lever escapement, 21 jewels, 21,600 vibrations per hour, power reserve of 36 hours. Winding and time-setting functions adjusted through the crown in two positions. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 42 mm. Thickness 8 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AA |
Very good |
Case: 2 |
Very good |
Movement: 2 |
Very good |
Dial: 2-01 |
Very good HANDS Original |
Notes
The company was established in 2002 in La Chaux L?Auberson in the Swiss Jura, by David Zanetta, a well-known consultant of some of the world?s most prestigious watch collections, and Denis Flageollet, a master watchmaker and professor at Le Locle, who has 20 years of experience in research, conception and the development of over 120 prestigious watches. Together they have equipped the De Bethune factory with the machinery and expertise to produce all of its calibres (manual and automatic) in-house, in addition to making their own cases, dials, and hands. All of which guarantees the highest level of excellence in production and quality control.
The design of each De Bethune calibre embodies simplicity, elegance and functionality. Each mechanism is designed to combine new technologies with the great watchmaking tradition.
De Bethune has developed new types of balance systems to improve amplitude and rate stability. After patenting the new titanium/platinum balance wheel in 2004, in 2006 De Bethune presented the world?s first balance-wheel made of pure crystalline silicon, a material that is lightweight and elastic. The silicon balance spring is fitted with the De Bethune plane terminal curve in order to achieve isochronic oscillations. The De Bethune IOS (Isochronic Oscillating System) is completed by a ?triple parachute Titanium Bridge? designed to fully protect the escapement from shocks.
Every timepiece created by De Bethune is the result of technical research, development, and many details which make all the difference: excellent mechanical reliability, meticulous attention to detail, the commitment, at each stage of production, to ensure the highest quality of the product, and the ability to create contemporary designs incorporating the know-how of the great watchmakers of the past.