Modern manufacture, De Bethune, based in L’Auberson, Switzerland, has released a new yellow-toned titanium timepiece, presented in the company’s smaller DB28xs case.

Despite appearing to be yellow gold, the DB28xs Yellow Tones uses oxidized grade 5 titanium (alloyed), not actual gold. To achieve the fiery yellow tones, an exclusive metal thermal-oxidation process was utilized.

The 38.7 mm x 8 mm case is crafted from yellow-polished grade 5 titanium, including signature floating lugs De Bethune Patent (2006), in yellow polished grade 5 titanium. The dial base is also made of polished titanium, as are the hands. A circular satin-finish titanium hours and minutes ring with yellow polished titanium hour markers surrounds the dial. At 6 is a balance bridge, also made of yellow polished titanium. Lastly, the signature Star Trek-esque twin mainspring barrel bridge is made of yellow polished titanium, with a microlight decoration, and sandblasted and polished chamfered contours.

De Bethune’s DB28xs Yellow Tones features hours and minutes on the front, along with an exposed balance wheel that indicates the watch is running, and a power reserve display on the back.

Hand-wound in-house caliber DB2115V14 beats at 4Hz, with 36 jewels, 244 total components, and has a 144-hour power reserve, ensured by a self-regulating twin-barreled De Bethune Innovation (2004). This manufacture caliber features a titanium balance with white gold inserts, optimized for temperature differences and air penetration, which is a De Bethune Patent (2016). A De Bethune balance spring with a flat terminal curve and a triple-pare-chute shock absorption system, by De Bethune Innovation (2005), and a silicon escape wheel complete the regulation system.

Notably, the movement uses stainless steel wheels for the gear train and dual mainspring barrels, and the crown is mounted at 12, not 3 o’clock, which is a “bullhead” configuration.

The De Bethune DB28xs Yellow Tones (Ref. DB28XSY) has a screw-in caseback, with a sapphire window, and is water-resistant to 30 meters. A brown alligator leather strap, with a yellow polished grade 5 titanium buckle, completes the watch. The retail price is $115,000.

Learn more at De Bethune.

 

Photos by De Bethune.