This is the first time I’m hearing about the watchmaker De Bethune, a watchmaker that has been making some very beautiful watches since 2002; the company was started by David Zanetta and Denis Flageollet. Their watches are very artistic and are more like fine jewelry pieces than time telling devices. Their latest creation is the stunning De Bethune Dream Watch 5.
The Dream Watch 5 looks like a minimalist sculpture you’d find displayed at a modern arts museum. The titanium case has an aerodynamic shape with a mirror-like finish. The watch is more about showcasing art than telling time, but it still has to perform its main function of telling time.
It tells time with style, instead of using a traditional dial, the case has a small sapphire crystal covered opening where a jumping-hour blue titanium dial is placed and an analog minute indicator on a white rotating disc. To the left of the minute/hour window lies a moonphase sphere and to the right is a 1-carat cabochon-cut ruby encrusted crown.
The Dream Watch 5 is powered by a hand-wound calibre DB2144 mechanical movement with a 5-day power reserve. The watch measures 49 mm wide, 39 mm long, and is 11 mm thick, and it comes with a black alligator leather strap with a pin buckle.
The De Bethune Dream Watch 5 is made to order, with a price tag of 150,000 Swiss Francs (or about $166,000 US at today’s exchange rate). Via: De Bethune
