On the first day of Geneva Watch Days, De Bethune proudly introduces two new models in XS format. With this “double XS,” the brand redefines elegance and horological precision, proving that exceptional craftsmanship can indeed come in the smallest of sizes.
DB28xs Steel Wheels
De Bethune unveils the DB28xs Steel Wheels, a creation that transcends the concept of simple miniaturization. Behind its reduced dimensions lies a design of remarkable uniqueness, where every detail goes far beyond its compact size and functionality.
Representing the perfect union of technical innovation and contemporary aesthetics, this model offers a bold reinterpretation of the iconic DB28 Steel Wheels in a more compact format, with a case measuring just 39 mm and a thickness of 8mm. This remarkable evolution embodies the brand’s commitment to contemporary watchmaking.
The DB28 Steel Wheels, launched in 2018, embodies the spirit of transparency and light, revealing the contemporary architecture of its movement through an openworked dial. Marked by its iconic delta-shaped bridge—De Bethune’s signature—and its moon positioned at 6 o’clock, this watch stands out with a harmonious composition of hemispherical, concave, and spherical forms, offering a result that is both architectural and dynamic.
DB28xs Steel Wheels: The Art of Miniaturization
True to De Bethune’s pioneering spirit, the DB28xs Steel Wheels embodies the brand’s ongoing quest to push the boundaries of modern watchmaking. By reducing the case diameter to 39 mm, De Bethune didn’t simply miniaturize the original DB28 Steel Wheels; the Manufacture created a new watch that preserves all the architectural and technical richness of its predecessor, while adapting it to a more intimate size. “There is no point in working unless it is to progress, and the only way to achieve that is by constantly questioning oneself. Continuously revisiting and rethinking the work, evolving it by modifying an element, a process, or a technique, and sometimes making subtle, often imperceptible improvements,” comments Denis Flageollet.
A Smaller Design, Greater Intensity
The DB28xs Steel Wheels is instantly recognizable by its openworked dial, which reveals the intricate beauty of its movement. The titanium case, smaller yet equally sophisticated, enhances the harmonious blend of hemispherical, concave, and spherical shapes. This miniature design plays with light and shadow, creating a dial with captivating depth that appears almost weightless.
High-Precision Watchmaking Technique
Beneath the openworked dial lies the manually wound De Bethune caliber DB2115V13, meticulously refined to deliver exceptional chronometric performance. The titanium
balance wheel, equipped with grey gold weights, ensures perfect inertia and regulation, while the De Bethune balance spring, with its unique flat terminal curve, guarantees unparalleled precision. The 6-day power reserve, a 20% improvement, is a testament to the brand’s uncompromising craftsmanship.
Comfort and Compact Elegance
Thanks to its reduced size, the DB28xs Steel Wheels offers exceptional wearing comfort. The lightweight titanium case, combined with patented floating lugs, naturally adapts to wrist movements. With the DB28xs Steel Wheels, De Bethune reinvents one of its iconic creations in a more intimate version, without compromising on either technique or
aesthetics. This watch embodies the essence of De Bethune’s watchmaking art: a perpetual quest for innovation, precision, and beauty, now available in a 39mm format that will appeal to enthusiasts of exceptional timepieces.
DB28xs Aérolite
De Bethune unveils the DB28xs Aérolite, a fusion of art and science. The dial features a random guilloché pattern, harmoniously contrasted by the perfect geometric lines of the Muonionalusta meteorite.
A limited annual production
A moment frozen in time, capturing the essence of a galaxy’s birth! De Bethune celebrates the raw power of nature, pure and unaltered energy. Crafted from a meteorite, the DB28xs Aérolite sparks inspiration and resonates with the soul of the explorer within. According to Denis Flageollet, “No other metal is as infused with pure energy and emotion as iron meteorites, which have taken form in the furnace of stars.”
The watchmaking manufacture De Bethune, renowned for its perpetual innovation and horological excellence, is proud to unveil its latest creation: the DB28xs Aérolite. This exceptional timepiece sits at the intersection of watchmaking tradition and modern science, pushing the boundaries of creativity and horological engineering. It marks a new milestone in the brand’s history, drawing inspiration from previous masterpieces such as the DB28xs Starry Seas and the DB28XP Météorite, while introducing a unique and contemporary vision.
DB28xs Starry Seas: A Groundbreaking Innovation on a Smaller Scale
The DB28xs Starry Seas represented far more than just a miniaturization of the iconic DB28 when it was released in May 2023. With its 39 mm diameter, this watch incorporates remarkable technological advancements while preserving the avant-garde spirit of De Bethune. Inspired by the Japanese concept of Wabi-Sabi, this timepiece celebrates beauty in imperfection and impermanence, showcasing a novel random guilloché pattern that evokes the rippled surface of a starry sea. Every element of the
watch, from its minimalist design to its cutting-edge technology, embodies a deep reflection on the harmony between man, object, and environment.
DB28XP Météorite: A Fragment of the Universe on Your Wrist
The DB28XP Météorite, launched in 2021, paid tribute to the majesty of nature through the use of the Muonionalusta meteorite, one of the oldest known on Earth. With a dial
adorned with unique geometric patterns, this watch is a true work of art forged in the vastness of space. The deep blue of the dial, achieved through thermal oxidation, is
speckled with delicate grey gold flakes, recreating a starry sky of ethereal beauty. Each piece is unique, offering clients the opportunity to customize the constellation engraved on the dial, thus creating an intimate connection between time, space, and the individual.
DB28xs Aérolite: A New Era of Creativity and Technical Mastery
“There is no point in working unless it is to progress, and the only way to achieve that is by constantly questioning oneself. Continuously revisiting and rethinking the work, evolving it by modifying an element, a process, a technique, and sometimes bringing subtle, often imperceptible, improvements,” comments Denis Flageollet.
Historically, watchmakers have protected mechanisms from external influences, but precision quickly demanded timepieces that are comfortable to wear and capable of
withstanding extreme conditions. The DB28xs Aérolite, with its miniaturized DB2005 caliber, maintains impeccable chronometric quality while gaining in lightness, thereby improving its resistance to shocks and accelerations.
The DB28xs Aérolite stands out by combining the distinctive elements of the DB28xs Starry Seas and DB28XP Météorite models while introducing a new dimension of
contemporary watchmaking. A 39mm black zirconium case, paired with a blue meteorite dial, symbolizes the meeting of earth and sky, of ancient craftsmanship and technological innovation.
This watch embodies the essence of De Bethune: an unrelenting pursuit of perfection, a capacity to transcend the boundaries of traditional watchmaking, and a desire to create exceptional objects that resonate with the deepest human emotions.
With the DB28xs Aérolite, De Bethune continues to reinvent modern watchmaking, offering a timepiece that is not only a technical masterpiece but also a timeless work of art.
DB28xs_Steel Wheels_technical specifications_EN
DB28xs_Aérolite_technical_specifications_EN
