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Bvlgari & MB&F Reimagine the Iconic Serpenti

Collaborations in watchmaking often bring together the creativity of a brand and its chosen partner, whether they be artists, athletes, or designers. However, it’s far rarer to see two well-known watchmaking powerhouses join forces. The partnership between Bvlgari and MB&F is a fascinating case, as both brands serve as creative forces in the industry with anything they put their hands on. 

Their latest collaboration, the Bvlgari x MB&F Serpenti, follows their 2021 partnership, which resulted in the MB&F x Bvlgari LM FlyingT Allegra launched at Dubai Watch Week. This time, the two brands reinterpret Bvlgari’s iconic Serpenti through the mechanical artistry of MB&F’s horological machines, merging biomorphic design with high-complication watchmaking in a way that only they can.

Introducing De Bethune's DB28XS Starry Seas Ushers a New Chapter

De Bethune, the distinguished horological powerhouse, has once again illustrated its commitment to innovation and precision with the introduction of the DB28XS Starry Seas.

This groundbreaking timepiece symbolises a new chapter for the brand, while serving as a testament to the company's 20-year legacy shaped by the ingenious Master Watchmaker and Founder, Denis Flageollet...

The DB28XS Starry Seas diverges from tradition with its notably smaller diameter (39mm), managing to capture the quintessence of De Bethune's unique design philosophy. The model represents a spectacular fusion of technology, craftsmanship, and creative ambition - encapsulating the essence of 21st-century wristwatches while maintaining an unparalleled aesthetic appeal.

De Bethune's distinct approach to timekeeping centres around reinventing rather than mimicking the past, with the DB28XS Starry Seas embodying the beauty of novelty and evolution. Flageollet's intentions are sincere and straightforward: to reinterpret tradition from an innovative lens and manifest the contemporary mechanical watch as a symbol of time measurement that can be worn on the wrist.

The DB28XS Starry Seas' creation is no less than a technical acrobatics that effectively merges the grandeur of Age of Enlightenment clocks with a compact wrist accessory. Yet, beneath the veneer of mere miniaturisation, lies a masterpiece that showcases the art of watchmaking in an entirely new light.

In the creation of the DB28XS Starry Seas, the inspiration drawn from the Japanese Wabi-Sabi concept is evident. This philosophy, which celebrates the harmony between individuals, objects, and the environment, was instrumental in shaping the aesthetic and functional design of the watch.

The principles of Wabi-Sabi permeate the DB28XS Starry Seas in three distinct ways. First, the watch exhibits the beauty of imperfection through its world-first random guilloché pattern, creating a captivating blued titanium wave dial that mirrors a starry sky. Second, the watch's smaller size and sober silver-toned ring exemplify the beauty of simplicity. Lastly, the DB28XS Starry Seas represents the third principle of Wabi-Sabi – the beauty of the unique, standing as a testament to De Bethune's audacious innovation in watch design.

The DB28XS Starry Seas, an embodiment of art and science, is a stunning example of De Bethune's pursuit of absolute perfection. This continuous strive for progress is visible in the DB28XS Starry Seas' modified calibre DB2005, adapted for the watch's miniaturisation without compromising its chronometric quality.

The blue hue of the watch isn't merely an aesthetic choice; it symbolises skies and seas, evoking wisdom and serenity consistent with the Wabi-Sabi concept. Furthermore, it has technical legitimacy, as it was during an attempt to enhance stability and chronometry that Denis Flageollet crafted a new, unique oscillator.

By utilising modern scientific discoveries and technologies, De Bethune remains devoted to honouring 18th-century master horologists' quest for perfect timekeeping and absolute aesthetics. The DB28XS Starry Seas indeed embodies the brand's principle – creating watches that respect tradition while incorporating our time's mechanical, technical, and aesthetic innovations.

De Bethune DB28xs Starry Seas
  1. Reference: DB28XsTIS3
 
  1. Case: Polished grade 5 titanium
 
  1. Diameter: 38.7 mm
  2. Height: 7.4 mm
  3. Water resistance: 30 meters
 
  1. Dial: Silver-plated hours and minutes ring with transferred Arabic numerals Random guilloché blued titanium dial (world’s first) Starry sky with white gold stars, Polished titanium hands.
 
  1. Movement:  DB2005, in-house, Mechanical hand-wound movement, Titanium balance with white gold inserts, "De Bethune" balance-spring with flat terminal curve, Silicon escape wheel, self-regulating twin barrel, Hand-crafted finishing and decoration
  2. Power reserve: 6 days
  3. Frequency: 28,800 vph (4.0 Hz), 27 Jewels
  4. Functions: Hours and minutes 
 
  1. Bracelet / Strap: Extra-supple alligator leather with alligator lining, Grade 5 titanium buckle and pin
 
  1. Availability:  available, a permenant line.
  2. Price:  CHF 77,000, USD 33,000 almost equivalent to AED 325,000

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