The New De Bethune DB25L Milky Way At SIHH 2017

DB25L Milky Way, De Bethune

With the new DB25L Milky Way, De Bethune introduction brings a sublime representation of a deep blue starred sky on the wrist of few lucky owners. The blued and polished titanium dial is enriched by small white gold spheres, set one by one by hand, to represent the most luminous stars. The Milky Way pattern is produced using micro laser: myriads of stars are draped in a fine layer of a 24 carats gold leaf casting out golden glints of colour. Dancing on this magical dial, the hours and minutes hands are crafted from rose gold and polished.

DB25L Milky Way, De Bethune

DB25L Milky Way, De Bethune

The signature spherical moon-phase indicator at 12 o’clock is made in palladium and flame-blued steel and requires a one-day correction just once every 122 years.

The 44.6 mm platinum case with hollowed lugs is set with 66 baguette-cut diamonds. Their positioning on the caseband rather than on the bezel suggests the idea that the designers of the DB25L did not want any distraction for the observer while contemplating the celestial beauty of the dial.

DB25L Milky Way, De Bethune

The back side is not less fascinating than the front: plate and barrel bridge of the hand-wound movement DB2105v2 are polished to a mirror shine, barrels are hand-snarled and all steel parts are meticulously chamfered.

DB25L Milky Way, De Bethune case

The 4 Hz (28,800 kph) movement features several innovations like the silicon annular balance encircled by a white gold ring, the triple pare-chute shock-absorbing system and the self-regulating twin barrel which ensures six days of power reserve as displayed by the discreet indicator near to the balance wheel. Winding, time setting and adjustment of the spherical moon-phase area all controlled via the crown.