De Bethune DB28XP Kind of Blue, a rare masterpiece, and one of the top tier examples of Haute Horlogerie, offered in a limited edition of only 25 pieces, made from Grade 5 Blued fire-heated Titanium.
The De Bethune blue was discovered by accident by the brand’s master watchmaker Denis Flageollet, who was attempting to heat treat titanium balance wheels to reduce instability. In the process, Denis found that when heated over 700º Celcius, titanium took on this almost cosmic blue color.
That color has been offered time and time again in different forms and dials within the brand’s range, but the real standout is the brand’s “Kind of Blue” releases, which, in person, are – nearly from top to bottom – one of the most strikingly blue watches you’ll ever see and experience. This particular example, is DB’s release of this special timepiece in the flesh of DB28XP.
De Bethune is using an in-house thin, hand wound 6-day power reserve DB2115v12 movement with their own balance wheel, which is visible at the bottom of the dial, under the arch-like structure. The XP in the name denotes that this is an extra thin (plat) watch (XP), and it stands at just 8.5mm in thickness.
The DB28XP Kind of Blue features a lightweight case, entirely crafted from polished blue-tinged grade 5 titanium with a microlight caseband, mounted on a patented De Bethune system of “floating lugs” that adapt to the size and various movements of the wrist, with the more curved caseband following the wrist’s lines. The Microlight finish of the mainplate is echoed on the sides, extending to the outer edge of the caseband, a meticulous and challenging task to achieve in the absence of simple geometric elements. The ensemble is completed with an alligator strap with a titanium buckle, contributing to the practical and comfortable wear of this timepiece.
Measured at 43mm in diameter, this might be one of the easiest watches to wear, thanks to the lug structure, which articulates from a point near the center of the case. The intelligent DB28 design offering moving lugs allows the watch to sit flush against the wrist and conforms to the wrist irrespective of the wrist profile, creating one of most comfortable watches you may ever come across.
The DB28 was presented to the public in 2011 and was awarded the highest distinction award “Aiguille d’Or” at the GPHG 2011 via its very first iteration in titanium. Achieving such a feat, the DB28 is perhaps one of the perfect examples of the brand’s approach to watchmaking.
The watch presents in Excellent and lightly used condition and is offered as Full set with all factory presentation boxes and papers dated 2024. The watch is still under De Bethune warranty until early 2026.
All photos are of the actual watch for sale, and form part of the description and condition disclosure. The photos indicate the condition of the watch and are taken just before listing this ad. All serials are blurred out from the photos for security and privacy reasons.