De Bethune DB Kind of Two GMT “Season 3”
When De Bethune launches special projects, it’s always something exciting. We had the pleasure of handling the first two timepieces in the very limited, artistic collaboration with hip-hop artist and music producer, Swizz Beats – the Dream Watch 5 Tourbillon “Season 1” and the DBD Digitale “Season 2.” Now, De Bethune returns with “Season 3” in the all-new DB Kind of Two GMT.
In recent years, the master watchmaker behind De Bethune, Denis Flageollet, has turned his attention to ultra-complication, dual-face timepieces. The DB29 Kind of Two Tourbillon as well as the DB Kind of Grande Complication, both represent the turn to using both sides of a timepiece to design and create movements of exceptional technical complexity. The DB Kind of Two GMT is another timepiece in this branch of De Bethune’s watchmaking. Fully reversible, two distinct and independent dials showcase the technical mastery of De Bethune’s watchmaking. While the two dials are the stars of the show, we must highlight the matte black zirconium and Grade 5 titanium case. 43mm in diameter and 11mm in thickness, the case’s unique and complex construction allows effortless transition between the two dials, achieved with a smooth, precise flipping motion.
The true focus though, the dials, showcase the duality of De Bethune’s watchmaking ethos – one ultra-modern, the other more classical in style. On the ultra-modern side, the movement focuses on the time display around the balance wheel at 6 o’clock with minute markers along the periphery. The self-regulating twin barrels introduce a touch of silver, while golden accents on the hour and minute markers, as well as the dual central gold wheels of the jumping seconds mechanism, elevate the refinement of the dial. The polished, blued steel hands, with a satin-finished steel insert at the center, introduce a discreet yet vibrant hue, playing with light to ensure optimal legibility.
The classic face features an hour and minute track that pays tribute to the historical DB8 and DB10 models. With a hand-guilloché central motif in a seemingly random pattern, there is a pop of blue with the subtle hints of blue. Adding to the bursts of intense color, the blued minute and hour hand with a polished titanium jumping second hand break up the subdued darkness of the dial.
Limited to 10 pieces, the De Bethune DB Kind of Two GMT “Season 3” is another example of the brand’s commitment to horological excellence.
Functions: Dual front and back display of hours and minutes, jumping seconds, Second time zone (GMT)
Movement: DB2517
Type: Mechanical hand-wound movement
Adjustment: Winding, setting the time and the GMT, by means of the crown (3 positions)
Technical features of calibre DB2517
Number of parts: 394
Jewelling: 58 rubis
Diameter: 30 mm
Power reserve: 4 days, ensured by a self-regulating twin barrel
De Bethune Innovation (2004)
Specificities: Titanium balance wheel with white gold inserts, optimised for temperature differences and air penetration
De Bethune Patent (2016)
“De Bethune” balance-spring with flat terminal curve
De Bethune Patent (2006)
Silicon escape wheel
De Bethune Dead Beat Second
De Bethune Innovation (2011)
GMT allowing to adjust 2 time zones, different on each side
Frequency: 36,000 vibrations per hour
Adornment: Motion works bridge and concave cover plate in black grade 5 titanium, mirror-polished
Black Grade 5 titanium bridge cover with micro-blasted stages
Hand snailed barrels
Steel parts polished and chamfered by hand
Display: Blued polished titanium hours and minutes indication
Minute indication on the periphery
Hour indication centered around the balance wheel at 6 o’clock
Hour ring and black colour minute ring with golden transfer
Dial: Classic reverse side display
Display: Dial: Hand-polished and blued titanium hands for hours and minutes
Polished titanium jumping seconds hand
Black dial with silvered transfer, with convex levels and with a black and blue bi-color guilloché central part
Case and strap
Case material: Grade 5 titanium / Matte black zirconium
Case diameter: 43,3 mm
Case thickness: 11,4 mm
Crown : at noon on the front side, at 6 o’clock on the reverse side, and integrated into the case
Lugs: Matte black zirconium floating lugs – De Bethune Patent (2006)
With case turning mechanism that can be clearly positioned on the front or back side
Crystal doubles-sides: In sapphire crystal (1800 Vickers hardness) with double anti-reflective coating
Water resistance: 3 ATM
Strap: Nubuck velcro
Buckle: Zirconium buckle and matte black grade 5 titanium pin
