De Bethune DB Kind of Grande Complication explained

The De Bethune DB Kind of Grande Complication fully explained. An impressive array of features distributed across a dual display. Price: CHF 400,000

A true showcase of De Bethune's expertise and innovation, the DB Kind of Grande Complication brings together an impressive array of features elegantly distributed across a dual display, made possible by its reversible, double-sided case.

In addition to dual hour and minute displays, this intricate model offers a perpetual calendar, spherical moon-phase indication, retrograde age of the Moon, leap year display, jumping seconds, power reserve, and an ultra-light tourbillon crafted from blued titanium.

The 43.3 mm x 13.85 mm case, made from polished Grade 5 titanium, incorporates a rotation system (introduced in 2021) mounted on floating lugs, allowing the case to pivot smoothly around its central axis through an ingenious micro-mechanism.

Over 60 components – with 50 dedicated to water-resistance and fully rustproof – are involved in positioning the dial on either side. A cam-operated indexing system ensures perfect alignment of the case with the floating lugs that follow the wrist's contours.

The crown is positioned at 12 o’clock when displaying the classic-inspired dial, and at 6 o’clock for the contemporary side.

The classic side features a dial with a perpetual calendar enhanced by a three-dimensional moon-phase display as well as by the Manufacture's signature starry sky.

This is created by hand-fitting the blued mirror-polished titanium base with small white gold pins depicting the stars. The Milky Way patterns are produced by laser-beam micro-milling and gilded with 24-carat gold leaf.

The moon phases can be read off at 3 o'clock by means of a sphere spinning on its axis and composed of two half-spheres in flame-blued steel and mirror-polished palladium. 

Its high-precision mechanism takes a full 112 years to accumulate a single day of deviation.

The leap-year indicator aligned at 3 o'clock, along with the apertures of day, month, and date, complete the indications.

The numeral style and the design of the hand echo the refined aesthetic of 18th-century watchmaking.

The contemporary side reveals the refined structure of Calibre DB2529, displaying the end of the power reserve and the age of the Moon. 

At 6 o’clock, the contrast is striking between the 5 Hz (36,000 vibrations per hour) fast pace of the De Bethune 30" tourbillon – among the fastest and lightest available – and the calm, measured rhythm of the mirror-polished steel hand as it counts off the seconds.

The 63 titanium components of the tourbillon weigh a mere 0.18 grams in total, with the lightest part weighing less than 0.0001 grams and the heaviest only 0.0276 grams. The central jumping seconds mechanism is powered by two gold wheels and a double pallet-lever with four pallets. 

The mirror-polished deltoid bridge, a hallmark of the brand, elegantly supports the asymmetrical gear trains with exquisite finishing.

Water-resistant to 3 ATM, the watch is paired with a black alligator leather strap and a polished grade 5 titanium pin buckle.

The new De Bethune DB Kind of Grande Complication, ref. DBK2TV2, has an indicative price of CHF 400,000. debethune.com