De Bethune – DB28xs Purple Rain Titanium

 

De Bethune – CURRENT DB28XS ‘Purple Rain’ Titanium  2024

Mastering the art of thermal oxidation of metals, De Bethune continues to explore all the color nuances resulting from the heat released by the chemical reactions of heated titanium.

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⦁    In the vast spectrum of colors, purple elegantly precedes blue, offering a masterful transition between warm and cool tones. It is a color that embodies mystery, imagination, and creativity, capturing the essence of darkness and depth while evoking a certain aura ofroyalty and splendor.]

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In the workshops of De Bethune in l’Auberson, particles become luminous, metals - and titanium here in particular - emit visible light... matter oxidizes, properties change, surfaces transform, and unprecedented natural colors appear.

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 Denis Flageollet, Master Watchmaker and Founder of De Bethune, along with his team initially began working on the tone of blue. A color linked to the notion of infinity and harmony, natural blue is one of the major research fields at De Bethune. It has since become the unique signature of the house.

Like a luminous vibration, each color offers a different type of energy

De Bethune unveils its new chromatic palette with the launch of the DB28xs Purple Rain, a bold evolution! Indeed, before reaching blue, purple unfurls its chromatic richness, merging nuances of red and blue in a harmonious ballet.

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It's a color that has inspired artists, poets, and visionaries for centuries, often symbolizing passion, spirituality, and innovation. In the palette of heated titanium colors, purple thus paves the way for the emergence of blue, gradually introducing cool nuances while retaining a touch of warmth and depth. This subtle transition creates a harmonious link between the different shades, offering a smooth continuity in visual perception.

DB28xs

Placing innovation at the heart of the process. Integrating creativity. Pushing the boundaries of innovation. Thinking outside the box. Not repeating, but inventing, ingeniously considering precision, reliability, readability, and comfort.

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The DB28xs model is not simply a watch aesthetically smaller. It is a watch that opened a new chapter at De Bethune. A model that marked the history of the brand, as it is another step in the initiatory journey that has animated Denis Flageollet for 20 years. If the DB28 is an iconic watch of De Bethune, this new version is all the more remarkable for the particular sense it carries within it. With a significantly smaller diameter than previous models (39mm), while retaining the unique and characteristic design of De Bethune, the DB28xs is a small miracle. Thanks to the technology required to carry out the project. But above all, by the virtuosity of De Bethune in transcending the spirit of the Enlightenment into the world of 21st-century wristwatches, by reformulating exceptional craftsmanship and offering unprecedented aesthetic creation. There is no question of reproducing the past identically. 

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But rather: how to evoke new emotions in the face of exceptional objects? Denis Flageollet's intention, Master Watchmaker and Founder of De Bethune, is pure. He observes tradition from an innovative perspective and works to make contemporary mechanical watches a cultural incarnation of time measurement on our wrist.

For a beautiful object to be born somewhere, mastery must have reached a certain level of maturity.

If the DB28xs was born of an extraordinary feat, successfully transposing the majestic feeling and grand emotion exuded by the great clocks of the Age of Enlightenment with their scientific instruments, onto a simple wrist, solely through the grace of micromechanics and the delicate aesthetics of a small watch, it opens up the deep innermost thoughts of its creator. 

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Thus, beneath the deceptive appearance of simple miniaturization, the uniqueness of this watch and its design go far beyond its smaller size and its functioning.

Between art and science

For the geniuses of the Age of Enlightenment, the goal was to create scientific instruments whose beauty emanated from their function, mechanical simplicity, and sobriety. Then, the powerful elevated them into true works of art, enlisting the best craftsmen of their time, such as cabinetmakers, bronzers, and enamelers like Boulle, Caffieri, or Coteau. The success of the DB28xs Purple Rain and the DB28xs Starry Seas demonstrates that Denis Flageollet's teams are fully imbued with the spirit of De Bethune that stems from this culture. 

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The concept of perpetual evolution in their work and thus their constant self-questioning, relying both on mastery of ancestral craftsmanship and new technologies. This incessant movement is the keystone of the manufacture, which constantly cultivates this mindset. "There is no point in working if not to progress, and the only way to achieve this is to continually question oneself. Continuously rethink and reconsider the work, evolving it by modifying an element, a process, a technique, and sometimes making tiny, often imperceptible improvements," commented Denis Flageollet.

A lighter, more impact-resistant DB28

For centuries, watchmakers have shielded mechanisms from external influences within towers, tables, and dials. As the quest for precision evolved, so did the desire to wear these timepieces. Adapting this chronometric precision to various and often extreme wearing conditions, including resistance to shocks, accelerations, and magnetic fields, requires cutting-edge research. The reduced size of this watch is part of this adaptation process. The caliber DB2005 has been adjusted to this miniaturization without compromising chronometric quality. Moreover, the increased lightness of the watch enhances its efficiency in case of shocks and accelerations.

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Aesthetically, the choice of blue color was not merely for visual attributes; its presence within De Bethune mechanisms holds genuine technical legitimacy. Initially seeking to solve technical problems of stability and chronometry during the development of new De Bethune balances, Denis Flageollet created a novel oscillator combining the soft metallic white hue of palladium with the vibrant blue of titanium. Consequently, the natural blue color became one of the brand's signatures, with its reflections on different materials and finishes allowing for an infinite and refined play of shades.

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Today, an intriguing evolution unfolds as De Bethune explores the chromatic spectrum and boldly unveils a new enchanting facet: purple. Continuing the work of the great master watchmakers of the 18th century in their quest for perfect time measurement, coupled with a sense of absolute aesthetics, De Bethune utilizes the most modern scientific and technological discoveries. The efforts of De Bethune teams converge to invent unique, innovative, and high-performance solutions. The principle remains the same for over 20 years: to create timepieces that respect horological tradition while integrating mechanical, technical, and aesthetic innovations of our time.

A unique splendor and magnetic presence

Through this mastery of purple and the natural oxidation of titanium, De Bethune does not simply create watches, but timeless works of art. Each piece reflects the perfect marriage between horological tradition and contemporary innovation, captivating watch enthusiasts.

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De Bethune, a true color alchemist, invites us to delve into a world of beauty and sophistication, where purple and blueing become symbols of refinement and horological excellence.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Collection  CURRENT

Name:  DB28 XS Purple Rain Titanium

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Reference: DB28XsPR 

Function: Hours, Minutes
Movement
Caliber DB2005
Type: Mechanical hand-wound movement
Adjustment: Winding and setting the time by means of the crown (2 positions)
Technical features of calibre DB2005
Number of parts: 160
Jewelling: 27 jewels
Diameter: 30 mm
Power reserve: 6 days, ensured by a self-regulating twin barrel – De Bethune Innovation (2004)
Specificities: Titanium balance 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
Triple pare-chute shock-absorbing system De Bethune Innovation (2005)
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations/hour
Adornment: Hand-crafted finishing and decoration Display
Case and strap
Display: Polished titanium hands
Dial:
Purple titanium plate hours and minutes ring with transferred Arabic numerals
Random guilloché purple titanium dial (world’s first)
Starry sky with white gold stars
Case material: Purple polished grade 5 titanium
Case diameter: 38.7 mm
Case thickness: 7.4 mm
Lugs: Purple polished grade 5 titanium floating lugs – De Bethune Patent
(2006)
Crystal: Sapphire (1,800 Vickers hardness) with double anti-reflective coating
Caseback: Sapphire (1,800 Vickers hardness) with double anti-reflective coating
Engraved ring circular satin-finish titanium
Purple titanium plate with “microlight” decoration
Water resistance: 3 ATM
Strap: Extra-supple alligator leather with alligator lining / Canvas
Buckle: Purple grade 5 titanium buckle and pin

🔴Price: 407,830 EUR / US $ 297,750 💰 

#debethune #watch #watchmaking #db28xspurplerain #purplerain #newlaunch #purplewatch

 

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Press release -- Geneva 2024
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De Bethune Geneva Office 
25 Grand-Rue 1204 Geneva
Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 310 22 71
Fax: +41 22 310 33 40
Contact: mailto:press@debethune.com

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BEAUREGARD & Vianney Halter - ART DECO ‘Ulysse’ Exclusive Edition

BEAUREGARD & VIANNEY HALTER – ART DECO ‘Ulysse’ Exclusive Limited Edition 2024

Watches & Wonders Geneva 2024
BEAUREGARD & Vianney Halter
present ‘Ulysse’

When Haute Joaillerie meets Haute Horlogerie

An Exclusive Series of 10 Pieces

In a collaboration that marks a first in the brand's history, Beauregard, under the creative leadership of its founder Alexandre Beauregard, joins forces with master watchmaker Vianney Halter to present the brand's inaugural men's watch: Ulysse.

Combining the artistic signature and technical mastery of the two creators, Ulysse, recognizable at first glance, emerge as a unique and unconventional work in the watchmaking realm.

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More than a watch, Ulysse is a work of art on the wrist, an aesthetic inspiration by the Art Deco school and the organic beauty of the marine universe, showcasing Aqua Marines of perfect clarity. The fruit of several years of research and a three-year development phase, Ulysse is the result of personal introspection and prodigious technical mastery.

An odyssey of friendship and horology

This collaboration between Alexandre Beauregard and Vianney Halter, which originated at Baselworld in 2019, reveals a shared vision of watchmaking as an art form in its own right. Alexandre Beauregard, with a decade dedicated to women's floral collections, join forces with Vianney Halter, recognized for his avant-garde approach, in the creation of an unexpected watch that blends organic beauty with mechanical precision.

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Ulysses is a work of love and the testimony of a creative journey where technique and aesthetics converge to forge an exceptional art piece. The encounter with Vianney, a larger-than-life character animated by a whimsical spark and perpetual youthfulness, deeply resonated with Alexandre Beauregard: “It was an instant connection with a kindred spirit.”

Vianney Halter. A name that resonates powerfully in the world of independent watchmaking, not only as a watchmaker-creator but also as a visionary who has pushed the boundaries of innovation and been crowned three times at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. The inventor of watches with advanced complications, Halter has left a mark on the industry with the famous ANTIQUA, his first creation, launched in 1998, the only one of its kind in the world, a perpetual calendar arranged in a scattered manner on the case. 

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Vianney Halter also created the OPUS 3 for Harry Winston, released in 2003, and the ANNIVERSARY, a limited edition marking the 20th anniversary of his creations, released in 2018; it is the first watch with the VH122 caliber. He then captivated the watchmaking world with the DEEP SPACE TOURBILLON, launched in 2013, making him a living legend in the world of independent watchmaking. This is a central tourbillon with 3 axes. 

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As the inventor of watches with advanced complications, Halter has more recently made his mark on the industry with the 👉 DEEP SPACE RESONANCE, a 3-axis tourbillon equipped with 2 resonant balances, created in 2021.

For Alexandre Beauregard, who has created his own aesthetic universe in watchmaking and jewelry based on a mastery of lapidary art “working with Vianney Halter has been pure joy.”

Singular concept, exclusive design

Ulysse immediately captures attention with the boldness of its dial, a Beauregard hallmark. originating from a creative concept of a stained glass with precious stones in which the lead is replaced by Gold, the captivating work of the gems with its 68 miniature components of Aqua Marines selected for their purity and delicate color, meticulously hand-cut and nestled within an intricately laid gold lacework of fascinating finesse.

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Each stone, patiently shaped and fitted by hand in the brand’s Montreal workshop, reflects light in a unique way thanks to a disk of mother-of-pearl cleverly positioned beneath the stone. This creates a play of light that further enhances the artistry in the applied technique. The hands, off-set and curved to follow the arch of the dial, appear to dance above this exquisite mosaic of light.

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For Beauregard, each detail embodies a world unto itself, from the design to the meticulous hand-finishing of every component that grants each watch its distinctive signature. The dial’s lines seamlessly flow onto the case, elegantly shaped with subtle waves, evoking a sense of natural movement and radiant fluidity.

The unusual degree of finishing and decoration of a Vianney Halter movement

A measure of the implicit trust that underpins this collaboration, Vianney gave Alexandre free rein to lavishly dress and decorate his famous mysterious automatic movement that celebrates 20 years of Vianney Halter watchmaking creations.

The choice of maillechort, a noble alloy favored over brass for its superior quality, exemplifies Halter's dedication to the longevity of his creations. It not only ensures the watch’s durability but also that it can be easily maintained – a mark of all the care and respect such an exceptional object deserves.

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The caliber’s innovative design is highlighted by a patented 'invisible' rotor that allows for an unobstructed view of its intricate inner workings.

With a power reserve of 56 hours, its ingenious architecture allows for the addition of extra modules. For the Beauregard Ulysse watch, this translated into a reinvention of the time display. Here, the hour and minute hands rotate not from the center.

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Several months of meticulous planning, drawing, and prototyping went into adapting the movement. The fluid aesthetic achieved reverberates throughout: from the bridges whose shape celebrate the the rhythm of the tides, to the 30 clear sapphire jewels for chromatic homogeneity, and back to the rounded anglage on each wheel – all the visible hand-finished details play off each other. This work of love transformed Vianney's movement into a distinctive heart that beats only for the Beauregard watch.

Impossible not to mention Dzevad, who, from his workshop in Sainte-Croix, machined the extravagant components, and Philippe Narbel, who, with his team at Manufactor in L’Abbaye, masterfully decorated the components by hand.

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The 41mm case in 18K rose gold, with its domed sapphire, engraved screw-down back with gold engraving highlighted in blue lacquer, and crown adorned with an Aquamarine, is fitted with a sober, stitchless chestnut alligator strap. It is water resistant to 3 ATM (30 meters). The ‘quick release’ interchangeable strap system, together with the rose gold pin buckle, follows through with the creator’s unparalleled attention to detail.

Ultimately, the creation of Ulysse is a human adventure, a journey among friends, weaving together the bonds of friendship and the art of watchmaking.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS   

🤝 COLLABORATIONS:   

Collection: ART DECO

Model Name: Ulysse

Movement:
Self-winding
Designed, developed and manufactured by Vianney Halter in his Sainte-Croix workshop
Decorated and finished under the creative impulse of Alexandre Beauregard
Frequency of 21,600 Alt/h.
56-hour power reserve
30 transparent functional rubies
Entirely made and assembled in Switzerland 
Functions : Hours, minutes
Dial:
18K Rose Gold lacework
68 Aquamarine components of flawless quality
Entirely made in our Montreal’s workshop and assembled in Switzerland
Case:
18K Rose Gold
Domed sapphire with anti-reflective coatings on both sides
Water-resistant to 3 ATM (30 meters)
Entirely made and assembled in Switzerland
Strap & Buckle:
Chestnut alligator, stitchless
18K Rose Gold pin buckle

Entirely made and assembled in Switzerland
🔰 A limited series of 10 pieces, each at a retail  🔴PRICE of CHF 110,000, excluding VAT
Official launch at Watches & Wonders 2024

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ABOUT VIANNEY HALTER

Vianney Halter was born in 1963 on the outskirts of Paris, the son of an engine driver on the French railways. He remembers being fascinated by the old machines and mechanical objects that his father brought home. Perhaps this early contact with powerful locomotives, steam engines and other measuring instruments is the reason why he was attracted to technology and mechanics.

At 14 years of age, Vianney Halter made the decision to broaden his interest in mechanics, and took the train to the capital to enrol at the École Horlogère de Paris (Paris Watchmaking School). He qualified in 1980 and spent his first ten years in the profession restoring antique watches and clocks, experience which gave him in-depth knowledge of the art of watchmaking. 

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Self-employed since 1984, he then went on to create a variety of timepieces for well-known manufacturers including Harry Winston, Breguet, and Audemars Piguet. He has also invented and developed his own collection of wristwatches since 1998.

His designs have been regarded as avant-garde pieces and are considered to have instigated a new shift in the watchmaking world. Vianney Halter makes unusual watches in the traditional method of the master watchmakers of the past, while using singular aesthetics, his own technical patents and unique constructions. All of this is illustrated in his first model, the “Antiqua”, a perpetual calendar presented in 1998. This watch was instantly regarded as a "relic of the future", reinforcing Halter's creativity and allowing him to enter the Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI).

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His years as an independent watchmaker continuing the art of watchmaking and his contribution to the modern horological landscape have already earned him nine awards. He has created around ten models of wristwatches, but the high level of workmanship they demand means their production is confidential. Indeed, under 500 pieces created by Vianney Halter have been produced to this day.

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Press release - 2021
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www.Vianney-Halter.com
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