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Traditionally, the method of altering steel surfaces by way of heating, often called thermal oxidation, was utilized to metal and iron. However, Flageollet has tailored this method for titanium. The course of attracts out an array of psychedelic colors from the steel and likewise applies a sturdy protecting coating on its floor. Flageollet’s preliminary forays into this method had been aimed toward stabilizing a titanium steadiness wheel utilizing the identical warmth therapy historically reserved for metal. The titanium, fired at temperatures above 700ºC, stabilized and took on a wealthy, intense blue hue that has change into a trademark of De Bethune’s timepieces.
Describing the case and dial of the DB28XS as merely purple doesn’t do justice to the color’s dynamic vary. Depending on the lighting, angle, and texture, the color shifts throughout a spectrum from violet to plum, aubergine to lavender, and mauve to amethyst, providing an virtually iridescent high quality. While blue titanium stays a signature color for De Bethune, symbolizing the celestial and infinite, purple introduces heat and richness related to royalty.
Introduced into the gathering in 2023, the DB28XS is De Bethune’s smallest mannequin, that includes a diameter of 38.7mm and a remarkably slim profile of seven.4mm. The watch is exceptionally light-weight, constructed primarily from grade 5 titanium, together with the mirror-polished case and the patented floating lugs—a characteristic that was notably difficult to miniaturize.
The dial itself is a marvel of expertise, characterised by a ‘random guilloché sample’ that resembles undulating purple waves, including a dynamic texture and aid to the floor. The dial is punctuated with hand-applied spherical gold pins, mimicking the looks of stars twinkling in a purple sky or maybe bubbles in water. This scene is framed by a raised, rounded, purple titanium chapter ring with silvery Arabic hour numerals. The bespoke, hand-polished, open-worked titanium hour and minute arms are designed to gracefully sweep over the chapter ring, with the minute hand barely curved on the tip to navigate its contours.
The again of the DB28XS reveals the beautiful craftsmanship typical of De Bethune: the delta bridge of the manual-winding calibre DB2005 is crafted from mirror-polished titanium, that includes a purple titanium bar and a rounded bridge over the steadiness wheel. Below this, one other purple titanium plate is embellished with a microlight sample radiating in concentric grooves.
The motion is powered by self-regulating twin barrels that supply a sturdy 6-day energy reserve and incorporates Flageollet’s patented blued titanium steadiness with white gold inserts, oscillating at 4Hz. It additionally includes a steadiness spring with a flat terminal curve and a triple pare-chute shock-absorbing system, guaranteeing each precision and sturdiness. The De Bethune DB28XS Purple Rain is supplied with an extra-supple alligator leather-based strap and a further black canvas strap, each complemented by a purple grade 5 titanium buckle, enhancing its aesthetic attraction and wearability.
