De Bethune DB28XP Meteorite Watch
Ferrous meteorites have already been used at De Bethune, notably to create one of the cases of the famous Dream Watch 5 and then the dial of the DB28 Kind of Blue Meteorite.
Denis Flageollet, founder and Master Watchmaker of De Bethune, is passionate about meteorites. A passion that he nurtures by regularly trialling iron ore reduction processes with a view to one day making his own metal. His deep-felt interest in the material and his numerous attempts with Russian and Egyptian meteorites have led the Maison to work with a new kind of meteorite: Muonionalusta Meteorite.
Believed to have struck planet Earth more than one million years BCE, somewhere between Finland and Sweden on the banks of the Muniono river, this is probably the world’s oldest known meteorite to date. The first fragment was discovered in Sweden, in 1906. Composed mainly of iron and nickel, it is distinguished by the perfectly geometrical lines of its 60° angle cross-hatched “Widmanstätten” pattern.
The dial of the DB28XP Meteorite is adorned with an ancestral stone forged in space. A metal alloy that endows the dial with a distinctive texture, along with geometrical patterns aligned in a precise way that makes each timepiece special and unique.
Recreating the magic of the stars amid the vast expanse of the heavens
De Bethune’s mastery of the thermal oxidation of metals has once again enabled it to raise the level of complexity by creating a starry sky accompanied by its Milky Way on a previously blued meteorite dial. This azure shade results from the heat released by the chemical reactions of the heated meteorite.
Dotted across this blue dial surface is a multitude of small white gold pins, delicately driven in between the different shapes and thicknesses of the octahedral geometrical structures.
Like tiny suspended marbles, these glittering flashes of light endow the celestial vault with its aura of timeless depth. In addition to bringing a unique fragment of space to the wrist, each sky is different: the customer can choose a given constellation, according to a precise sky map, at a specific date, time and place.
The watchmaking art according to De Bethune
Alongside its classically inspired round, ultra-thin crown at 12 o'clock and its hunter-type back typical of pocket watches, the DB28XP Meteorite's ultra-light, polished black zirconium case with patented floating lugs nevertheless asserts the watch's modern and futuristic character.
The DB28XP Meteorite features the distinctive graphic codes of the Manufacture, with a zirconium hour circle, minutes ring bearing Arabic numerals and the discreet De Bethune signature at 12 o'clock, complemented by pink gold hands identical to those on the DB28XP Starry Sky dial. The design of the Microlight engraving, and the slenderness of the case reflect De Bethune's contemporary expression of watchmaking art.
Black zirconium case middle
Stemming from De Bethune’s research into materials and new processes, the use of zirconium for the case represents a natural and sustainable alternative for achieving a black colour. The hardness of the metal and its stable oxidation, which does not deteriorate at room temperatures, are key assets in guaranteeing the resistance and durability of a watch exterior.
Chronometry expertise
The hand-wound movement is equipped with the De Bethune balance, visible through the 6 o’clock dial aperture. It represents the outcome of a consistent physical and mathematical approach to improving its operation undertaken by De Bethune. It is equipped with the latest technical advances, including an adjusted diameter, the use of titanium, as well as small white gold weights placed around the rim and endowing it with remarkable inertia, reliability and regulating properties.
De Bethune has equipped this model with its very own balance spring, the extremely thin component regarded as the soul of the mechanical watch. Its centre of gravity is maintained in the very centre by means of a flat curve affixed to the outside of the balance spring. Differences in the thickness of the blade further enhance the almost perfect precision of its concentric development. The numerous advantages include reduced thickness, improved adjustment of the concentricity quality, finer adjustment of the index (regulator) and no more need for its pins, while the shape of the curve even acts as a shock absorber in case of impacts.
Imbued with ancestral knowledge along with the latest technical and scientific breakthroughs, all expressed in a resolutely avant-garde spirit, the DB28XP Meteorite subtly celebrates and reinterprets traditional fine watchmaking.
As Denis Flageollet explains: "No other metal is as strongly charged with pure energy and emotion as the ferrous meteorites that have taken shape in the furnace of the star-studded heavens.”
De Bethune DB28XP Meteorite
Technical specifications:
Reference: DB28XPZM
Case:
· Case material: Mat anthracite zirconium with “microlight” case middle
· Case diameter: 43 mm
· Case thickness: 7.2 mm
· Lugs: Mat anthracite zirconium floating lugs – De Bethune Patent (2006)
· Crystal: Sapphire (1,800 Vickers hardness) with double anti-reflective coating
· Caseback: Solid, in mat anthracite zirconium; Engraved ring in blued circular satin-finish titanium; Mat anthracite zirconium plate with “microlight” decoration and De Bethune logo
· Water resistance: 3 ATM
Movement:
· Calibre: DB2115v7, Mechanical hand-wound movement
· Number of parts: 175
· Jewelling: 27
· Diameter: 30 mm
· Power reserve: 6 days, ensured by a self-regulating twin barrel, De Bethune Innovation (2004)
· Specificities: Titanium balance with white gold inserts, optimised for temperature differences and air penetration – De Bethune Patent (2016); "De Bethune" balance-spring with flat terminal curve De Bethune Patent (2006); Silicon escape wheel
· Frequency: 28,800 vibrations/hour
· Adornment: Hand-crafted finishing and decoration
Dial:
· Anthracite hours ring with transferred Arabic numerals in pink
· Transferred circular satin-brushed titanium minutes ring
· Titanium dial with “microlight” decoration – De Bethune Innovation (2007)
· Starry sky with white gold stars
· Dial featuring an opening revealing the balance, surrounded by a chamfered blue polished steel rim
Strap/Buckle:
· Extra-supple alligator leather with alligator lining
· Mat anthracite zirconium buckle and pin
The price for the De Bethune DB28XP Meteorite Ref. DB28XPZM is CHF 120,000 and is limited edition to 10 pieces.
