Manufacture De Bethune is adding a new movement to its repertoire by introducing the latest in-house self-winding Auto V2 calibre, beating at the heart of an extremely modern-looking timepiece. Presented in two versions during Baselworld – featuring a silver-toned or blue dial – the DB27 Titan Hawk V2 is inspired by the design and technology of its predecessors, while adding a resolutely novel touch. The essence of De Bethune Aesthetic and technical considerations are by definition inseparably entwined, as vividly exemplified in the new DB27 Titan Hawk V2 which is endowed with a number of appealing assets. Slender lines, a microlight dial, sandblasted steel minutes hands with hand-polished steel ends, a microlight case middle, as well as floating lugs and a brushed caseback framing a transparent sapphire crystal pane: this is a watch that stands out not only for its pared-down design but also for its entirely in-house-made movement. Focusing firmly on essentials, the DB27 Titan Hawk V2 model is equipped with the unprecedented AUTO V2 calibre driving hours, minutes and seconds hands, making it an attractive contemporary chronometer for daily wear. Housing a single barrel ensuring a 60- hour power reserve – as well as the latest titanium balance wheel with white gold inserts visible through the transparent caseback – this movement based on in-house technology is equipped with a titanium and tungsten alloy oscillating weight providing a reliable supply of energy. While the inspiration derived from the original DB27 Titan Hawk is readily perceptible, each detail has been rethought and redesigned so as to recapture the elegance and legibility of an object that is first and foremost functional. Juxtaposing Roman and Arabic numerals, the time read-off appears on hours and minutes rings located around the dial circumference. In one interpretation, the silver-toned dial is swept over by sandblasted steel hands with hand-polished, flame-blued ends, while the other is graced with a blue dial swept over by blued sandblasted steel hands with polished ends. The case in grade 5 titanium – brushed for the silver-toned dial version and polished for the blue dial interpretation – displays all the De Bethune signature features: patented floating lugs, a 12 o’clock crown and microlight decoration of the case middle. This distinctive and distinguished timepiece conveys in equal measure both the avant-gardist approach of the Manufacture and its hand-crafted tradition.
