The Black and Blue Wetsuit of the De Bethune DB28GS Swordfish

Launched in 2010, De Bethune’s DB28 household distils the essence of Denis Flageollet’s distinctive watchmaking model with its futuristic silhouette, floating lugs, delta-shaped barrel bridge, uncovered steadiness wheel, and, as a rule, the model’s signature blued titanium parts. In 2015, the DB28 was revisited in a sportier model with a 100m waterproof case referred to as the DB28GS. 4 years later, the DB28GS Grand Bleu surfaced with a 105m depth score and an unprecedented on-demand mechanical lighting system. Completed to ranges hardly ever seen on dive watches, the model’s authentic dive watch returns this yr because the De Bethune DB28GS Swordfish in a brand new black wetsuit with iconic blued titanium accents.

The case retains the formidable dimensions of earlier DB28GS fashions with a 44mm diameter and a thickness of 12.8mm. Nonetheless, due to its ergonomic design, with the crown at midday and articulated lugs, the watch adapts to the dimensions and actions of the wrist. The exterior parts are produced from black zirconium for the case center and hardened metal for the caseback, bezel and floating lugs. To boost their shock resistance, the hardened metal lugs are black DLC-coated with shiny blued titanium inserts. As talked about, the weird 105m water-resistance score harks again to the Grand Bleu watch, which celebrated the deep dive report of Jacques Mayol, the character who impressed Luc Besson’s 1988 movie, Le Grand Bleu.

The De Bethune DB28GS Swordfish departs from commonplace dive watches and doesn’t relay immersion instances externally on the rotating bezel; that will be too straightforward an answer for grasp watchmaker Denis Flageollet, and it could doubtless compromise the refined aesthetics. As a substitute, the coin-edged bezel rotates the metallised minute graduations displayed on the sapphire crystal defending the dial.

One other fascinating attribute of the watch is its distinctive illumination. Along with the luminescent-tipped central palms, a pusher at 6 o’clock prompts a lighting system that diffuses white mild from the 4 corners of the dial – at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock. Solely mechanical, with out electronics or batteries, the lighting system works like a bicycle mild. The pusher triggers a small gear pushed by the dual barrels. In flip, the gear, which is supplied with a miniature dynamo, generates power/mild with out affecting the motion’s operation.

Enjoying with black and blued titanium particulars, the dial reveals emblematic De Bethune options like the massive delta-shaped titanium barrel bridge embellished with a microlight engraving and blue borders or the mirror-polished bridge over the steadiness wheel at 6 o’clock. The hours are represented by spherical blued titanium markers on the exterior bezel and indicated by the vast openworked black titanium minutes hand with its blued titanium insert. The ability reserve indicator is positioned between 9 and 10 o’clock.

The watch is powered by De Bethune’s manual-winding DB2080 calibre with twin barrels for a sturdy 5-day energy reserve. Fitted with a triple shock absorber system, the rugged motion maintains stability and accuracy even throughout violent impacts.

The De Bethune DB28GS Swordfish is paired with a textured rubber strap with a black hardened metal folding clasp and comes with a further canvas and leather-based strap. It retails for CHF 105,000. Extra data at debethune.ch.