Independent watch brands know how to break the rules and create disruption in a very positive way. When it comes to De Bethune—Sainte Croix in the Swiss Jura Mountains—subversion is a must, and the pursuit of perfection always exists. De Bethune DB28 Steel Wheels Sapphire Tourbillon is the result of never stagnating, always trying to find the perfect balance between modern and bold aesthetics and excellent machinery. The DB28 Steel Wheels Sapphire Tourbillon is issued in limited editions, taking full advantage of the usual practices of the past 19 years, but adding new elements to its design in an unconventional way.
The DB28 Steel Wheels Sapphire Tourbillon is different from any other De Bethune tourbillon in that it adds a blue sapphire crystal splint to the hollow design of the dial and a blue titanium bevel ring around the double barrel. When you are proficient in finishing in the De Bethune way, the effect will be very good, and the watch is absolutely pleasing to the eye.
The 30-second De Bethune titanium tourbillon at 6 o’clock is conspicuous at 6 o’clock, with blue elements, full of glory. The dial adopts a deep multi-layer structure, framed by a round grained titanium hour ring, the hollow minute markers look like saw blades, and the prominent spherical polished titanium hour markers are set on the blue polished titanium circle. The DB28 Steel Wheels Sapphire Tourbillon creates a symphony of contrasting elements and may be our favorite De Bethune watch so far.
The De Bethune DB28 Steel Wheels Sapphire Tourbillon case is made of grade 5 titanium, unlike any other watches released by the brand. The transparency and blue color of the iconic De Bethune triangle splint, this time using sapphire material, is a spectacle in itself, a beautiful way, through which the wearer can see the fully open double mainspring box.
Turn the watch over, the De Bethune manual winding movement DB2019V5 consists of 272 parts, with a silicon escape wheel and a power reserve indicator, located on the blue ring on the periphery of the movement. This movement has been meticulously crafted and hand-decorated to ensure that it runs autonomously for 5 days after it is fully wound.
De Bethune DB28 Steel Wheels Sapphire Tourbillon is designed with floating lugs and is extremely comfortable to wear. It is an amazing and vivid proof that the watchmaking industry needs to continue to develop while adhering to the basic principles of timing, precision and wear resistance. In our book, DB28 Steel Wheels Sapphire Tourbillon satisfies all these principles and brings a fresh breath to the independent watchmaking industry that is always surprising.