De Bethune DB25 Starry Sky Moonphase, 2020

Dealer description — S.Song Watches

Debuting in 2002, De Bethune has burst onto the watchmaking scene with hi-tech materials, innovative movements, and stunning avant-garde designs that have enabled them to quickly become one of the most distinctive watchmakers in the industry. Founded by THA founders Denis Flageollet and David Zanetta, the idea for De Bethune was that it would be a true watch manufacture, something De Bethune has undoubtedly achieved with models encompassing almost every facet of horology. Offered here, I have the DB25 Moonphase Starry Sky, a stunning watch that moves beyond the traditional concept of a Moonphase timepiece and presents it in an overwhelmingly contemporary yet wearable package. Beginning with the DB25 Starry Sky Moonphase's comfortable 40mm titanium case, it features De Bethune's signature hollowed-out lugs and sits flat on the wrist for a wonderfully ergonomic experience thanks to its proportionate 11.7mm thickness. Furthermore, with its impeccable level of craftsmanship, the DB25 Moonphase's entirely-polished case offers an aesthetic both on and off the wrist that few, if any, watchmakers can even attempt to replicate or offer. It is easy to see why De Bethune has undergone an incredible surge in popularity in recent years. While their cases are certainly unique, their dials are typically incredible too, and the DB25 Moonphase is no exception with a stunningly versatile star-studded blue dial featuring hollowed hands to match its case's lugs and blued and polished titanium hand-fitted, white gold pins that depict the stars in the night sky- keeping with its nocturnal theme. Beyond just an aesthetic theme, the DB25, as its name suggests, also features a moon phase complication in the form of a spherical moon-phase indicator at 12 o'clock constructed from palladium and flame-blued steel with 44 diamonds and 44 sapphires. In keeping with the futuristic design of their watches, De Bethune's movements are also incredibly unique, with the cal. 2105 powering the DB25 Starry Sky Moonphase. A manually-wound movement with 245 exceptionally-finished parts with mirror polishing galore, this movement is technically proficient as it looks, with six days of power reserve at a beat rate of 28,800 BPH and with a moon phase indicator that is accurate to within 1 day every 122 years. An incredible achievement for horology as a whole, De Bethune's rise to stardom has only gone to prove that if your watches are as well-crafted as they can be, collectors will follow.