In the rarefied world of haute horlogerie, where artistry and engineering merge to transcend timekeeping, De Bethune has long stood as a quiet revolutionary. Known for its audacious innovation cloaked in classical design codes, the Swiss independent manufacture has consistently pushed the boundaries of what modern watchmaking can be. With the debut of the De Bethune DB25 Monopusher Chronograph, the brand reaffirms its mastery over both form and function, presenting a timepiece that’s as visually poetic as it is mechanically groundbreaking.
This is not De Bethune’s first foray into chronograph territory, but it may be its most sophisticated. By utilizing a monopusher mechanism, the brand simplifies the interaction to a single, elegant button — a nod to vintage chronographs, but executed with futuristic precision.
The cone-shaped lugs, a signature of the DB25 collection, add a sculptural edge while ensuring ergonomic comfort. At 40.6 mm in diameter, the watch sits in the sweet spot — large enough to make a statement, yet modest enough to retain the elegance of a traditional dress chronograph.
Flipping the watch over reveals a sapphire caseback, showcasing the heart of the timepiece: the hand-wound DB3000 calibre. This movement is a testament to De Bethune’s engineering prowess, featuring high-end finishes and a construction that balances beauty with performance.
Blue Arabic numerals provide an elegant contrast against the silver dial, ensuring legibility without compromising the watch’s minimalistic charm. The hands — meticulously crafted — distinguish functions with finesse: hour and minute hands glide over the dial, while polished titanium hands indicate the chronograph seconds and minutes.
At 6 o’clock, a barley grain engine-turned sub-dial displays the 60-minute counter, framed with an almost architectural refinement. This small but vital detail embodies De Bethune’s knack for mixing classical decorative techniques with a modern design ethos.
The bridges, made of chromium-plated steel, are flat polished to a mirror-like sheen — a feat that requires immense patience and precision. Hand-snailing on the barrels, chamfered edges, and mirror-polished steel components reflect De Bethune’s obsession with detail and artisanal finishing.
But this isn’t just about beauty. The movement incorporates several proprietary innovations that elevate it into the realm of technical excellence. Notably, it features De Bethune’s patented titanium balance wheel with white gold inserts — a design that optimizes inertia, improves thermal stability, and enhances overall chronometric performance. It’s a feature born from extensive research and a testament to the brand’s forward-thinking spirit.
Another highlight is the De Bethune balance-spring, also patented, with a flat terminal curve that improves concentric breathing. This unique spring geometry — developed in 2006 — reduces positional errors and improves isochronism, helping the watch maintain stable timekeeping across its entire 60-hour power reserve.
Completing the trifecta of innovation is a silicon escape wheel — lightweight, anti-magnetic, and virtually frictionless. Combined, these elements contribute to a smooth 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) frequency, ensuring both precision and durability over time.
Functionally, the chronograph is split into a central 60-second counter and a 60-minute instantaneous counter, the latter located at 6 o’clock in a delicately recessed subdial. Pressing the pusher activates a cascade of mechanical interactions within the movement — the levers, hammers, and wheels coordinating in harmony, all hidden beneath the dial’s composed surface.
Despite its mechanical complexity, the operation is seamless. The tactile feedback from the pusher is crisp and satisfying — a reflection of De Bethune’s commitment to the emotional experience of watchmaking. It’s a chronograph not just for measuring time, but for savoring moments.
The extra-supple alligator leather strap, with a luxurious alligator lining, enhances comfort while complementing the watch’s refined personality. It molds effortlessly to the wrist, adding to the sense of elegance that permeates every detail of this timepiece.
From the conical lugs to the sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective treatment, every element has been carefully considered to balance visual appeal with daily wearability. This isn’t a watch that demands attention; it commands it subtly, with the quiet confidence of an heirloom-quality creation.
This duality is no accident. De Bethune has always been a brand that celebrates timeless watch design while challenging conventional boundaries. Every watch it creates is a dialogue between the past and the future — a celebration of haute horlogerie that never settles for the expected.
In the case of the DB25 Monopusher Chronograph, this dialogue is expressed through deliberate restraint. There are no openworked dials, no oversized cases, no aggressive detailing. Instead, it’s a watch that invites a second glance — and rewards the curious with layer upon layer of complexity.
While De Bethune is perhaps best known for its starry sky dials, ultra-lightweight titanium constructions, and mechanical breakthroughs, the DB25 Monopusher Chronograph represents a different kind of statement. It’s a showcase of what happens when one of the world’s most forward-thinking manufactures decides to master the classical chronograph, on its own terms.
This isn’t a reimagining of the chronograph — it’s a refinement of the form. A declaration that elegance, when engineered with purpose, can be just as bold as any avant-garde design. For collectors and connoisseurs of luxury Swiss watches, the DB25 Monopusher is a rare fusion of discretion and mechanical genius.
• Lovers of traditional chronographs seeking a more refined, contemporary interpretation
• Connoisseurs of hand-finishing and high-end horology
• Those who wear watches not just to tell time, but to tell a story
With only a limited number produced, it’s also a highly exclusive offering — a fact that only enhances its desirability among seasoned collectors and enthusiasts of fine mechanical watches.
It can serve as a daily driver for those accustomed to wearing haute horlogerie on a regular basis. At the same time, its understated elegance makes it perfect for formal occasions, where subtle sophistication speaks volumes.
That said, this isn’t a tool watch. It’s not meant for rugged adventures or casual outings. It’s a piece of horological art, meant to be appreciated and preserved — the kind of watch that sparks conversation and admiration in the know.
Where others might focus on lineage or brand prestige, De Bethune focuses on substance. The DB25 Monopusher doesn’t merely offer an alternative — it challenges the entire concept of what a high-end chronograph can be. It’s slimmer than most, more avant-garde in its technical DNA, and uniquely expressive in its aesthetic language.
For the collector who already owns the usual suspects — perhaps a Rolex Daytona, an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph, or a Vacheron Constantin Historiques Cornes de Vache — the DB25 Monopusher represents the next level. It’s for those seeking distinction, rarity, and craftsmanship that defies mass production.
The DB25 Monopusher Chronograph fits seamlessly into a life of rare experiences and cultivated luxury. Picture it paired with a tailored navy suit at an intimate art auction in Geneva, or accompanying its wearer on a private flight to a vineyard estate in Tuscany. It’s the kind of watch that earns glances from those who know — not because it shouts, but because it whispers with confidence.
This is horology as lifestyle, where every detail — from the polished titanium case to the proprietary balance spring — is a reflection of a life lived thoughtfully, and luxuriously.
Case Diameter: 40.6 mm
Case Thickness: 9.15 mm
Glass: Sapphire crystal, double anti-reflective treatment
Movement: DB3000, hand-wound mechanical movement
Functions: Hours, minutes, monopusher chronograph (60-second central counter, 60-minute counter at 6 o’clock)
Movement Components: 296
Balance Wheel: Patented titanium with white gold inserts
Balance Spring: De Bethune flat terminal curve
Escape Wheel: Silicon
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Power Reserve: 60 hours
Jewels: 31
Dial: Silver radiating guilloché with 12 sectors, blue Arabic numerals, barley grain subdial
Strap: Extra-supple alligator leather with alligator lining
Water Resistance: Not officially rated (not a sport watch)
Case Back: Transparent sapphire crystal
Limited Edition: Low production numbers (exclusivity emphasized)
In a world awash with chronographs, this one stands apart — not because it demands attention, but because it earns it. It’s a timepiece for the few, not the many. A statement of discernment, created by a brand that dares to think differently.
Whether you’re deepening an already prestigious collection or seeking a piece that embodies understated power and refined complexity, the DB25 Monopusher Chronograph belongs on your radar — and, perhaps, on your wrist.
[photo credits: De Bethune / www.debethune.ch]
A New Chapter in the Art of Chronography
Chronographs have always held a special place in horology, marrying utility with kinetic beauty. But while many chronographs seek attention through bold aesthetics or oversized architecture, the DB25 Monopusher Chronograph opts for an approach rooted in classic elegance and refined restraint. With its 40.6 mm polished titanium case and a profile that’s just 9.15 mm thick, it wears remarkably slim on the wrist — a feat in itself considering the complexity it houses.This is not De Bethune’s first foray into chronograph territory, but it may be its most sophisticated. By utilizing a monopusher mechanism, the brand simplifies the interaction to a single, elegant button — a nod to vintage chronographs, but executed with futuristic precision.
Case and Design: Titanium as a Canvas
Crafted from Grade 5 polished titanium, the case of the DB25 Monopusher Chronograph gleams with a soft, silvery brilliance that only De Bethune could achieve. Titanium, though notoriously difficult to polish, is rendered here with mirror-like precision, offering not only aesthetic beauty but also a remarkable lightness that enhances wearability.The cone-shaped lugs, a signature of the DB25 collection, add a sculptural edge while ensuring ergonomic comfort. At 40.6 mm in diameter, the watch sits in the sweet spot — large enough to make a statement, yet modest enough to retain the elegance of a traditional dress chronograph.
Flipping the watch over reveals a sapphire caseback, showcasing the heart of the timepiece: the hand-wound DB3000 calibre. This movement is a testament to De Bethune’s engineering prowess, featuring high-end finishes and a construction that balances beauty with performance.
Dial: The Art of Guilloché and Harmony
The DB25 Monopusher’s dial is nothing short of mesmerizing. Executed in a silver radiating guilloché with 12 sectors, it offers a sense of symmetry and depth that draws the eye inward. The central motif fans outward like rays of sunlight, a visual metaphor for precision and motion.Blue Arabic numerals provide an elegant contrast against the silver dial, ensuring legibility without compromising the watch’s minimalistic charm. The hands — meticulously crafted — distinguish functions with finesse: hour and minute hands glide over the dial, while polished titanium hands indicate the chronograph seconds and minutes.
At 6 o’clock, a barley grain engine-turned sub-dial displays the 60-minute counter, framed with an almost architectural refinement. This small but vital detail embodies De Bethune’s knack for mixing classical decorative techniques with a modern design ethos.
The DB3000 Calibre: A Showcase of Technical Mastery
At the heart of the De Bethune DB25 Monopusher Chronograph lies the in-house DB3000 calibre — a mechanical, hand-wound movement composed of 296 meticulously finished components. While the dial seduces with its elegant restraint, the movement beneath is a playground of horological innovation and traditional craft.The bridges, made of chromium-plated steel, are flat polished to a mirror-like sheen — a feat that requires immense patience and precision. Hand-snailing on the barrels, chamfered edges, and mirror-polished steel components reflect De Bethune’s obsession with detail and artisanal finishing.
But this isn’t just about beauty. The movement incorporates several proprietary innovations that elevate it into the realm of technical excellence. Notably, it features De Bethune’s patented titanium balance wheel with white gold inserts — a design that optimizes inertia, improves thermal stability, and enhances overall chronometric performance. It’s a feature born from extensive research and a testament to the brand’s forward-thinking spirit.
Another highlight is the De Bethune balance-spring, also patented, with a flat terminal curve that improves concentric breathing. This unique spring geometry — developed in 2006 — reduces positional errors and improves isochronism, helping the watch maintain stable timekeeping across its entire 60-hour power reserve.
Completing the trifecta of innovation is a silicon escape wheel — lightweight, anti-magnetic, and virtually frictionless. Combined, these elements contribute to a smooth 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) frequency, ensuring both precision and durability over time.
Chronograph Simplicity Meets Engineering Complexity
The charm of a monopusher chronograph lies in its purity. Unlike conventional chronographs with multiple pushers, the DB25 uses a single button to start, stop, and reset the timing function. This streamlined approach enhances user experience, maintaining the minimalist aesthetic while offering full chronograph capability.Functionally, the chronograph is split into a central 60-second counter and a 60-minute instantaneous counter, the latter located at 6 o’clock in a delicately recessed subdial. Pressing the pusher activates a cascade of mechanical interactions within the movement — the levers, hammers, and wheels coordinating in harmony, all hidden beneath the dial’s composed surface.
Despite its mechanical complexity, the operation is seamless. The tactile feedback from the pusher is crisp and satisfying — a reflection of De Bethune’s commitment to the emotional experience of watchmaking. It’s a chronograph not just for measuring time, but for savoring moments.
Slim Profile, Substantial Presence
Chronographs are often associated with bulk, but the DB25 Monopusher Chronograph defies convention with its ultra-slim case — just 9.15 mm thick. That thinness, combined with the lightweight titanium case, makes the watch feel almost weightless on the wrist, yet it still carries a presence that’s unmistakably high horology.The extra-supple alligator leather strap, with a luxurious alligator lining, enhances comfort while complementing the watch’s refined personality. It molds effortlessly to the wrist, adding to the sense of elegance that permeates every detail of this timepiece.
From the conical lugs to the sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective treatment, every element has been carefully considered to balance visual appeal with daily wearability. This isn’t a watch that demands attention; it commands it subtly, with the quiet confidence of an heirloom-quality creation.
A Design Philosophy Rooted in Innovation and Tradition
What makes the De Bethune DB25 Monopusher Chronograph truly captivating is its ability to straddle two seemingly opposing worlds: traditional craftsmanship and futuristic innovation. On one hand, you have classic elements — guilloché engraving, Arabic numerals, and elegant lugs — all reminiscent of vintage Swiss chronographs. On the other, the watch boasts avant-garde materials, patented technology, and a movement architecture that could only come from the 21st century.This duality is no accident. De Bethune has always been a brand that celebrates timeless watch design while challenging conventional boundaries. Every watch it creates is a dialogue between the past and the future — a celebration of haute horlogerie that never settles for the expected.
In the case of the DB25 Monopusher Chronograph, this dialogue is expressed through deliberate restraint. There are no openworked dials, no oversized cases, no aggressive detailing. Instead, it’s a watch that invites a second glance — and rewards the curious with layer upon layer of complexity.
The Legacy of De Bethune: Independent Swiss Watchmaking at Its Finest
Founded in 2002 by David Zanetta and Denis Flageollet, De Bethune has always stood apart from the crowd of luxury Swiss watch brands. As an independent watchmaker, the company has the freedom to innovate without compromise — and that freedom is evident in every watch that bears its name.While De Bethune is perhaps best known for its starry sky dials, ultra-lightweight titanium constructions, and mechanical breakthroughs, the DB25 Monopusher Chronograph represents a different kind of statement. It’s a showcase of what happens when one of the world’s most forward-thinking manufactures decides to master the classical chronograph, on its own terms.
This isn’t a reimagining of the chronograph — it’s a refinement of the form. A declaration that elegance, when engineered with purpose, can be just as bold as any avant-garde design. For collectors and connoisseurs of luxury Swiss watches, the DB25 Monopusher is a rare fusion of discretion and mechanical genius.
Who Is the De Bethune DB25 Monopusher Chronograph For?
This timepiece is not for the casual watch buyer. The DB25 Monopusher Chronograph is designed for those who appreciate the unseen — for collectors who understand that real luxury is found not in ostentation, but in execution, detail, and soul.It’s ideal for:
• Collectors of independent watchmaking who value innovation and rarity• Lovers of traditional chronographs seeking a more refined, contemporary interpretation
• Connoisseurs of hand-finishing and high-end horology
• Those who wear watches not just to tell time, but to tell a story
With only a limited number produced, it’s also a highly exclusive offering — a fact that only enhances its desirability among seasoned collectors and enthusiasts of fine mechanical watches.
Wearing the DB25: A Daily Companion or Special Occasion Piece?
Despite its intricate engineering and artisanal finishing, the De Bethune DB25 Monopusher Chronograph is surprisingly wearable. Thanks to its slim profile, lightweight titanium construction, and refined silhouette, it sits comfortably under a cuff or as a standalone statement piece.It can serve as a daily driver for those accustomed to wearing haute horlogerie on a regular basis. At the same time, its understated elegance makes it perfect for formal occasions, where subtle sophistication speaks volumes.
That said, this isn’t a tool watch. It’s not meant for rugged adventures or casual outings. It’s a piece of horological art, meant to be appreciated and preserved — the kind of watch that sparks conversation and admiration in the know.
How the DB25 Monopusher Chronograph Compares to Other High-End Chronographs
In the world of luxury chronographs, competition is fierce and prestige is paramount. From the legendary Patek Philippe 5172G to the minimalist allure of A. Lange & Söhne’s 1815 Chronograph, collectors are spoiled for choice. But few manage to capture the rare balance of innovation, purity, and sophistication that the De Bethune DB25 Monopusher Chronograph so effortlessly achieves.Where others might focus on lineage or brand prestige, De Bethune focuses on substance. The DB25 Monopusher doesn’t merely offer an alternative — it challenges the entire concept of what a high-end chronograph can be. It’s slimmer than most, more avant-garde in its technical DNA, and uniquely expressive in its aesthetic language.
For the collector who already owns the usual suspects — perhaps a Rolex Daytona, an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph, or a Vacheron Constantin Historiques Cornes de Vache — the DB25 Monopusher represents the next level. It’s for those seeking distinction, rarity, and craftsmanship that defies mass production.
The Lifestyle of the De Bethune Collector
Wearing a De Bethune timepiece is not about making a loud statement — it’s about making the right one. The typical DB25 wearer isn’t chasing logos or hype; they’re connoisseurs of nuance, patrons of art, and curators of exceptional taste.The DB25 Monopusher Chronograph fits seamlessly into a life of rare experiences and cultivated luxury. Picture it paired with a tailored navy suit at an intimate art auction in Geneva, or accompanying its wearer on a private flight to a vineyard estate in Tuscany. It’s the kind of watch that earns glances from those who know — not because it shouts, but because it whispers with confidence.
This is horology as lifestyle, where every detail — from the polished titanium case to the proprietary balance spring — is a reflection of a life lived thoughtfully, and luxuriously.
Technical Specifications: De Bethune DB25 Monopusher Chronograph
Case Material: Grade 5 polished titaniumCase Diameter: 40.6 mm
Case Thickness: 9.15 mm
Glass: Sapphire crystal, double anti-reflective treatment
Movement: DB3000, hand-wound mechanical movement
Functions: Hours, minutes, monopusher chronograph (60-second central counter, 60-minute counter at 6 o’clock)
Movement Components: 296
Balance Wheel: Patented titanium with white gold inserts
Balance Spring: De Bethune flat terminal curve
Escape Wheel: Silicon
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Power Reserve: 60 hours
Jewels: 31
Dial: Silver radiating guilloché with 12 sectors, blue Arabic numerals, barley grain subdial
Strap: Extra-supple alligator leather with alligator lining
Water Resistance: Not officially rated (not a sport watch)
Case Back: Transparent sapphire crystal
Limited Edition: Low production numbers (exclusivity emphasized)
Final Thoughts: A Collector’s Dream in Titanium
The De Bethune DB25 Monopusher Chronograph is more than just a timepiece — it’s a declaration of intent. It declares that true luxury lies in craftsmanship, that timeless style will always outshine passing trends, and that mechanical innovation is best enjoyed in quiet mastery.In a world awash with chronographs, this one stands apart — not because it demands attention, but because it earns it. It’s a timepiece for the few, not the many. A statement of discernment, created by a brand that dares to think differently.
Whether you’re deepening an already prestigious collection or seeking a piece that embodies understated power and refined complexity, the DB25 Monopusher Chronograph belongs on your radar — and, perhaps, on your wrist.
[photo credits: De Bethune / www.debethune.ch]
Comments
Post a Comment