De Bethune, a brand renowned for its technical innovations and avant-garde aesthetics, has introduced the DB28xs Steel Wheels. This watch reinterprets the iconic DB28 Steel Wheels in a more compact form, showcasing the brand’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of modern watchmaking. The DB28xs Steel Wheels offers a unique blend of technical mastery and contemporary design, all within a reduced size that makes a bold statement in the world of horology.
Introduction to the DB28xs Steel Wheels
The DB28xs Steel Wheels, with reference number DB28XSSW, is a testament to De Bethune’s ability to innovate within the constraints of size. Unlike simple miniaturization, this model reimagines the iconic DB28 Steel Wheels, preserving its architectural and technical richness while offering a more intimate 38.7 mm case diameter and an 8 mm thickness. This evolution is a clear reflection of De Bethune’s ongoing quest for innovation in watchmaking.
Key Features
The DB28xs Steel Wheels is not just a smaller version of its predecessor; it is a watch that maintains all the visual and technical elements that make the DB28 series iconic, but in a format that enhances wearability and comfort.
Design and Craftsmanship
The DB28xs Steel Wheels is immediately recognizable by its openworked dial, which reveals the intricacies of the movement within. The case, crafted from polished grade 5 titanium, is both lightweight and durable, providing a perfect balance of form and function. The watch’s design is marked by a harmonious blend of hemispherical, concave, and spherical shapes, a hallmark of De Bethune’s architectural approach to watchmaking.
The openworked dial features polished blued titanium hands and a circular satin-finished titanium hours and minutes ring. The titanium barrel bridge, adorned with microlight decoration, and the polished titanium dial base add to the watch’s sophisticated aesthetic.
High-Precision Movement
At the heart of the DB28xs Steel Wheels lies the hand-wound De Bethune caliber DB2115V13, a mechanical marvel designed for exceptional chronometric performance. The movement includes 241 parts and 36 jewels, and operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. The titanium balance wheel, fitted with white gold inserts, ensures optimal inertia and temperature regulation. De Bethune’s patented balance spring, featuring a flat terminal curve, enhances the movement’s precision. The watch also boasts a power reserve of six days, a significant improvement that highlights the brand’s dedication to technical excellence.
Innovative Features
The DB28xs Steel Wheels includes several of De Bethune’s patented innovations, such as the floating lugs in polished grade 5 titanium, which ensure the watch adapts naturally to wrist movements, providing unmatched comfort. The watch’s crystal is made from sapphire, treated with double anti-reflective coating for optimal clarity. The caseback, also made from polished grade 5 titanium, features a linear power reserve indicator visible through a sapphire crystal window.
Technical Specifications
- Model Name: DB28xs Steel Wheels
- Reference Number: DB28XSSW
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Power Reserve on the back
- Movement: Caliber DB2115V13, hand-wound
- Case: Polished grade 5 titanium, 38.7 mm diameter, 8 mm thickness
- Dial: Openworked with polished blued titanium hands and hour markers
- Crystal: Sapphire with double anti-reflective coating
- Water Resistance: 3 ATM
- Strap: Textile/leather with grade 5 titanium buckle
- Power Reserve: 6 days
Conclusion
The De Bethune DB28xs Steel Wheels is a masterpiece of modern horology, combining the brand’s signature design elements with cutting-edge technology in a more compact form. This watch is not merely a smaller version of an existing model but a new interpretation that retains the technical sophistication and aesthetic beauty of its larger predecessor. For enthusiasts of fine watchmaking, the DB28xs Steel Wheels offers an intimate yet powerful experience, embodying De Bethune’s perpetual quest for innovation and excellence.
