THE DB KIND OF TWO TOURBILLON

Double-sided watches are not a recent invention. For more than two centuries, these singular mechanisms have been born at the hands of erudite watchmakers, open to the new ideas of the Age of Enlightenment and often inspired by astronomy, the decorative arts as well as mechanical engineering. The history of horology has been punctuated by certain major accomplishments in this respect.

Having a contemporary take on the double-sided watch, De Bethune presents a watch endowed with two faces, two dials, and two identities. The DB Kind of Two Tourbillon is perfectly reversible and can be worn on either side according to the mood of the moment. This model houses a highly sophisticated mechanism based on a complex system of gears and pinions arranged on the front or back of the watch, and which enables the hands to turn in the right direction, regardless of the dial chosen.

The front side of the DB Kind of Two Tourbillon displays a dial featuring a sleek, contemporary design, with central hours and minutes hands as well as a tourbillon at 6 o’clock, complete with a 30-second indication. Extensive work has been done on integrating polished, curved shapes, matt or glossy components, different thicknesses and levels, thereby creating a sensation of ample space and optimal volume, given the minimum height available for a tourbillon watch. A new type of deltoid-shaped bridge – this time perfectly symmetrical – is positioned in the centre, like an isosceles triangle that contributes to the overall sense of harmony.

The other side reveals a dial based on more traditional aesthetic inspiration, with a finely hand-guilloché central part surrounded by the numerals already featured on the dials of De Bethune models such as the DB8 and DB10. The tourbillon with its seconds has vanished, and on this face the hours, minutes and more surprisingly the seconds hands are all centrally positioned. This represents an extremely subtle technical challenge that is not necessarily perceptible at first glance, and therein lies the elegance of this timepiece.

Every detail has been taken into consideration. Easy to use, yet highly complex, the system of floating lugs lends itself particularly well to the “pivoting” of the case. Redesigned for the occasion, these elements have been equipped on each side with an ingenious little rotating mechanism made up of 28 components. For reliability purposes, they are manufactured in stainless materials such as surgical steel or titanium, thus enabling them to withstand the external aggressions of water, humidity, temperature variations and continuous contact with the skin.

The case which has the measurements of 42.8mm x 9.5mm is made of polished grade 5 titanium. The crown is located at 12 on the front side and at 6 on the reverse side. There is anti-reflective coated sapphire crystal on both sides. The model is water-resistant up to 30 meters.

Apparently, there two dials on this model. The polished titanium dial with shot-blasted stages, have blued titanium hands for hours and minutes with polished inserts. The second silvered dial has convex levels and guilloché central part.  

Powered by DB2579 caliber with 32 jewels, it has an amazing power reserve of 120 hours thanks to self-regulating twin barrel invented by De Bethune in 2004. The movement operates at a frequency of 36,000 vph.

The model comes with extra-supple alligator leather with alligator lining and titanium pin buckle.

The price of the model is CHF 215,000 (excluding taxes).

Technical Specifications

Movement Basics

Pricing