De Bethune has launched a very unusual newcomer – Dream Watch 5. It looks very unorthodox since it includes a mirror polished titanium case of irregular shape. This streamlined case with curved surfaces and a prominent cabochon crown with a ruby is so unusual that it is being compared to a space ship by many pundits. Dream Watch 5 supports three types of display – jumping hours, retrograde minutes and spherical moon phase of extreme precision which are all rather inconspicuous and small, as well as placed next to each other in order to be seen through a tiny crystal. These three indications are supported functions of the watch’s hand-wound mechanical caliber DB2144 which includes five of the brand’s registered patterns and a prolonged power reserve of five days. The most peculiarly styled De Bethune’s timepiece and one of the most original high-end pieces on the market is valued at around $167,000.
De Bethune Dream Watch 5
Delta-Shaped Basis
De Bethune Dream Watch 5 features curved lines which make it resemble a hood of a vintage Chevrolet or Cadillac or even some sort of an alien space ship. It is by far the most distinctive timekeeper in the brand’s palette of products, even when compared to other three pieces from the exclusive Dream Watch series (three predecessors and not four, since there is no Dream Watch 2). Its base follows the outlines of the De Bethune’s characteristic delta-shaped main-plates which are featured in its timekeepers. Around the base, the brand’s designers have created symmetric and streamlined surfaces which look pretty amazing. Apart from the unusual shape, the beauty of the housing is achieved with the selection of titanium for the material. This type of case – grade 5 titanium which received a highly polished finish – is one of the recognizable traits of the brand which is in the top niche of all the watchmakers, when it comes to construction of these types of housings.
Aside from having a truly unique shape, the housing is a bit odd when it comes to its dimensions. It is actually quite wider than it is long – the reduced length measures to just 39 mm while its width is substantial 49 mm. When it comes to the thickness, the case of De Bethune Dream Watch 5 is exactly 11 mm high. Another prominent and uncommon trait is its cabochon crown with a large 1 carat ruby that looks like fire gushing from an exhaust pipe. By the look of the things, the prominent ruby crown placed on the far right part of the housing might present a bit of a nuisance, since it could press on the skin every time the wearer moves his hand upwards. However, this is not such of a big deal and it can be characterized as one of the “good problems”. As for the back of the case, it is made of solid titanium and attached with four screws. It features an engraving that states “DW 5” at the center, as well as signatures of De Bethune’s founders: David Zanetta and Denis Flageollet.
De Bethune Dream Watch 5 Side
Three Types of Displays
The indications of the timekeeper are visible through a double anti-reflective sapphire glass which is placed on the middle and the most raised segment of the case. The display itself is likewise of an irregular shape and it resembles a shuttlecock. Beneath the sapphire crystal, we can see three types of its supported indications. The nearest to the center is a lovely tiny moon phase sphere made of blued titanium and palladium. Moving to the right, further towards the periphery, we first notice a segment of blued titanium, then a jumping hour aperture and finally, a visible part of its rotating analog minute retrograde scale.
De Bethune Dream Watch 5 Profile
Calibre DB2144 with Five Patents
Inside the beautiful and strange housing, a hand-wound mechanical Calibre DB2144 ticks. This impressive movement is unfortunately not visible, since the watch has a solid metal rear side. However, if you are interested in its appearance, you can see it through the case-back of De Bethune DB28 Digitale, another brand’s novelty issued by the Swiss watchmaker. The hidden movement which consists of 2329 components and integrates 32 jewels in its construction possesses supreme technical traits which are complemented with fine embellishments, embodied in hand-performed finishes. Calibre DB2144 has the width of 30 mm and it operates at the frequency of 28,800 vph. As it has been noted, the in-house movement employs several innovations which were developed by the company’s engineers. It comes with a balance wheel made of silicon and white gold while its balance-spring has a flat end curve. Silicon is once again used as the material for the caliber’s escape wheel. The next patent is used to guarantee better resilience of the movement to shocks and bumps – it is a triple para-chute shock-absorbing system. As for the fourth among the patented features, a self-regulating twin barrel, its significance lays in the ability to provide the movement with, to say the least, a substantial power reserve which lasts for 120 hours. Finally, DB2144 also utilizes the brand’s signature spherical representation of the moon’s phases. Not only that the moon phase sphere looks quite nice, it is immensely precise and requires a single correction in 1,112 years, providing that the watch does not stop due to its depleted power reserve.
As De Bethune has announced, the list price of its Dream Watch 5 model is set to $167,000. Another obstacle toward acquiring this amazing artistic timepiece, apart from its price, will be a small number of produced models, since the brand’s capacities enable the creation of around 350 pieces per year.
