Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

Hong Kong, Jun 27, 2009

LOT 104

Power S DB22 De Bethune, ?DB22, Power Reserve?, movement No. 184, No. 05/50. Made in a limited series of 50 examples, sold on August 24th, 2007. Very fine and unusual, large, technically innovative, water-resistant, self-winding titanium and 18K white gold wristwatch with 6-day power reserve indication and an 18K white gold De Bethune buckle. Accompanied by a fitted box, guarantee and instruction booklet.

HKD 100,000 - 130,000

USD 14,000 - 20,000 / EUR 10,000 - 13,000

Sold: HKD 156,000

C. Three-body, polished, transparent case back and 18K white gold stepped bezel secured by 6 bolts, screw-down crown, straight lugs, sapphire crystals. D. Titanium, guilloche decoration, ?Microlight? effect, outer Arabic five minutes, outermost chapter ring with titanium hour markers, double aperture for the power reserve at 12. Titanium and fame blued steel De Bethune hands. M. Cal. DB2024, rhodium-plated, titanium bridges, two barrels, 49 jewels, titanium and platinum De Bethune balance (28800Ah) protected by a triple parachute system, self-compensating flat balance spring, titanium balance bridge, titanium and platinum rotor. Diam. 48 mm. Thickness 11 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Notes

Powerful looks and innovative technique: a perfect combination found in all De Bethune timepieces, expressions of the finest watchmaking with the most up-to-date features. The greatest strength of the De Bethune manufacture is its research and development department. 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. This guarantees the highest level of excellence in production and quality control. The design of each De Bethune calibre is a reflection of the company's philosophy: simplicity, elegance and functionality. Each mechanism is designed to combine new technologies with 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 to ensure the highest quality at each stage of production, and the creation of contemporary designs incorporating traditional know-how.