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DETAILS

An extremely rare, collectible, charismatic and early white gold chronograph wristwatch from Swiss watch brand De Bethune, founded in 2002 by Italian vintage watch dealer David Zanetta and French watchmaker Denis Flageollet. The present reference was launched in 2002. Case in 18k white gold, diameter 42 mm, 8 mm thick, with ogival lugs, solid white gold caseback with engraved brand name, reference and serial number. Matte silvered solid gold dial with guilloché ‘Grain d'Orge’ motif in the center, slightly recessed sub-dials with fine concentric grooves, chapter ring with dark blue pad printed radial Roman numerals and blued steel ‘Pomme de Breguet’ hands. De Bethune caliber [DB]2002, manual winding, power reserve up to 36 hours. Functions – display of time in hours and minutes, small seconds at 9 o’clock, monopusher chronograph with central seconds hand and 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock. Black leather strap, De Bethune pin buckle in 18k white gold. Numbered edition. De Bethune states that only 28 pieces have been made since 2002. 

REASONS TO BUY

The DB1 has a unique status that is significant for the history of the brand and its heritage, because it's the first reference that began the chronicle of De Bethune. In addition, this watch has an interesting feature that further increases its value as a collectible. 

In its early years, the brand had just begun to develop its own calibers, and the watches released in 2002 and 2003 featured calibers purchased from suppliers. This is also true for the De Bethune caliber [DB]2002 of the present example. It’s based on a rare hand-wound monopusher chronograph movement developed by the Atelier for complicated movements THA (Techniques Horlogères Appliqueés). THA was founded in 1996 by independent watchmaker François-Paul Journe, while Vianney Halter and Denis Flageollet, further one of the co-founders of De Bethune, joined him. The caliber [DB]2002 is actually a version of the caliber 045 MC, originally developed by THA for the reissue of the Cartier Tortue Monopoussoir watch. It’s based on the layout of early wrist chronographs from the first quarter of the 20th century, whose functions were switched by pressing the crown. Later, alternative designs were developed with a separate button or two buttons. In addition, this caliber uses a rare combination of a column wheel control and a clutch via a rocking pinion. After being produced by THA, the rights for this caliber were transferred to La Joux-Perret, a former Jaquet-Baume factory, and produced as caliber LJP5000-4. In 2007, Bucherer’s watch division purchased THA. 

SPECIFICATION

CasePolished white gold case 750/1000 with a solid white gold caseback, crown at 3 o'clock with integrated chronograph pushers
StrapBlack Alligator leather strap, with a original white gold pin buckle
DialEngine turned silvered dial, with black Roman numerals, railway minute track, chronograph minutes counter at 3 o'clock & small seconds 9 o'clock, blued Breguet hands, dial signed: "De Bethune"
MovementRhodium-plated hand-wound column-wheel chronograph with blued screws & Geneva stripes
Cal.DB2002
Ref.DB1W
Case No.014
D=42 mm
YearCirca 2002

CONDITION REPORT

Case:Good condition, small signs of wear
Strap:Good condition, small signs of wear
Dial:Mint condition
Movement:Very good, all funtions working properly
Amplitude (Dial on top/Lift angle 52):Approx 270°
Accuracy (Dial on top):Approx +5 sec/day
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DELIVERY & RETURNS

We offer worldwide delivery on all of our watches.

If ordering from Switzerland or Europe, your watch will be sent the same working week. The courier will depend on the value of the watch, with all watches delivered the next working week.

If ordering from outside Europe, delivery will depend on the choice of courier and destination.

You can cancel your order without giving any reason, within 14 days from the day the watch has been delivered to you.

WARRANTY

All of our pre-owned watches have undergone thorough mechanical inspections, including being ultrasonically cleaned, serviced and resealed if appropriate and tested for at least four days, to ensure they meet our highest timekeeping standards.

Our pre-owned and vintage watches, unless stated otherwise, are covered by a full or a limited twenty-four month warranty. For example, due to their age, some vintage watches should not be subjected to the same conditions as when they were new.

All of our new watches are covered by the warranty from the original manufacturer. Please contact us for further information.

Please see our Terms & Conditions for further information.

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