De Bethune unveils the DB28xs Steel Wheels, a creation that transcends the concept of simple miniaturization. Behind its reduced dimensions lies a design of remarkable uniqueness, where every detail goes far beyond its compact size and functionality.
Representing the perfect union of technical innovation and contemporary aesthetics, this model offers a bold reinterpretation of the iconic DB28 Steel Wheels in a more compact format, with a case measuring just 39 mm and a thickness of 8mm. This remarkable evolution embodies the brand’s commitment to contemporary watchmaking.
The DB28 Steel Wheels, launched in 2018, embodies the spirit of transparency and light, revealing the contemporary architecture of its movement through an openworked dial. Marked by its iconic delta-shaped bridge—De Bethune’s signature—and its moon positioned at 6 o’clock, this watch stands out with a harmonious composition of hemispherical, concave, and spherical forms, offering a result that is both architectural and dynamic.
DB28xs Steel Wheels: The Art of Miniaturization
True to De Bethune’s pioneering spirit, the DB28xs Steel Wheels embodies the brand’s ongoing quest to push the boundaries of modern watchmaking. By reducing the case diameter to 39 mm, De Bethune didn’t simply miniaturize the original DB28 Steel Wheels; the Manufacture created a new watch that preserves all the architectural and technical richness of its predecessor, while adapting it to a more intimate size. “There is no point in working unless it is to progress, and the only way to achieve that is by constantly questioning oneself. Continuously revisiting and rethinking the work, evolving it by modifying an element, a process, or a technique, and sometimes making subtle, often imperceptible improvements,” comments Denis Flageollet.
A Smaller Design, Greater Intensity
The DB28xs Steel Wheels is instantly recognizable by its openworked dial, which reveals the intricate beauty of its movement. The titanium case, smaller yet equally sophisticated, enhances the harmonious blend of hemispherical, concave, and spherical shapes. This miniature design plays with light and shadow, creating a dial with captivating depth that appears almost weightless.
High-Precision Watchmaking Technique
Beneath the openworked dial lies the manually wound De Bethune caliber DB2115V13, meticulously refined to deliver exceptional chronometric performance. The titanium balance wheel, equipped with grey gold weights, ensures perfect inertia and regulation, while the De Bethune balance spring, with its unique flat terminal curve, guarantees unparalleled precision. The 6-day power reserve, a 20% improvement, is a testament to the brand’s uncompromising craftsmanship.
Comfort and Compact Elegance
Thanks to its reduced size, the DB28xs Steel Wheels offers exceptional wearing comfort. The lightweight titanium case, combined with patented floating lugs, naturally adapts to wrist movements. With the DB28xs Steel Wheels, De Bethune reinvents one of its iconic creations in a more intimate version, without compromising on either technique or aesthetics. This watch embodies the essence of De Bethune’s watchmaking art: a perpetual quest for innovation, precision, and beauty, now available in a 39mm format that will appeal to enthusiasts of exceptional timepieces.
