De Bethune Launches A Starry Companion for Globetrotters
4 min read
The De Bethune DB25GMT Starry Varius is a testament to the brand’s commitment to blending traditional watchmaking expertise with cutting-edge innovation. This luxurious timepiece introduces De Bethune's first-ever GMT complication within the renowned DB25 Starry Varius collection, making it a standout travel companion for modern globetrotters.
Developed during a time when global travel was largely restricted, the DB25GMT Starry Varius is a product of foresight. As travel begins to resume, this GMT watch is poised to become a favorite among discerning travelers. De Bethune's founder, Denis Flageollet, expressed his optimism about the release of this model, envisioning it as a reflection of the resilience and adaptability of those who travel the world with a renewed perspective.
The DB25GMT inherits the signature aesthetic codes of the Starry Varius collection, including a polished grade 5 titanium case with a 42 mm diameter. The starry sky motif, featuring a Milky Way design, adds a touch of celestial beauty to the dial. The openworked lugs and screw-down sapphire caseback not only enhance the watch’s visual appeal but also allow a glimpse into the intricate movement within. Despite housing a complicated GMT mechanism, the DB25GMT maintains a slim, elegant profile on the wrist. The balance of technical complexity and refined aesthetics ensures that this watch appeals to collectors seeking both form and function.
The DB25GMT Starry Varius offers an intuitive and user-friendly GMT complication. The dial layout is both functional and visually appealing, with its unique display of time zones and day-night indication. The microsphere, a hallmark of De Bethune’s design, is used to indicate the reference time (home time) on the 24-hour scale. This dual-sided sphere, one half blue and the other pink, rotates to show day and night, symbolizing sunrise and sunset as it moves at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. The local time is displayed by the blued hour and minute hands, with the hour hand tracking the second time zone. Both time zones are easy to set via the crown, and the GMT function can be adjusted in both directions. The jumping date hand is another key feature, adjustable via a corrector at 6 o’clock on the case, adding further utility for frequent travelers.
De Bethune has mastered the art of creating poetic, miniature universes within their watches. The dial of the DB25GMT Starry Varius is no exception, with its mesmerizing representation of the night sky. A polished pink gold sun shines at the center, while the blued titanium background depicts the stars and the Milky Way, crafted through micro-laser engraving and adorned with 24-carat gold leaf. Each tiny star on the dial is hand-applied, showcasing the brand’s dedication to meticulous craftsmanship.
Beneath the exquisite dial lies De Bethune's 29th in-house movement, the hand-wound Calibre DB2507. This movement powers the watch’s GMT complication and is a marvel of horological engineering. The titanium balance wheel, with white gold inlays, is designed to minimize the effects of temperature changes and enhance the watch's precision. The silicon escape wheel further boosts efficiency by reducing friction and increasing power transfer. The DB25GMT is equipped with De Bethune’s patented triple pare-chute system, which uses a titanium bridge and leaf-spring mechanism to protect the movement from shocks. This innovation enhances the watch's durability without compromising its elegance. The two barrels, visible through the sapphire caseback, provide an impressive five-day power reserve. This extended reserve is made possible by De Bethune's self-regulating energy mechanism, ensuring the watch remains reliable over long periods of use.
The De Bethune DB25GMT Starry Varius is not just a watch; it is an artistic and technical achievement that speaks to the brand’s forward-thinking philosophy. It captures the essence of travel, optimism, and the beauty of the universe in a single, timeless piece. Perfect for globe-trotters and horology enthusiasts alike, this watch is a reminder that even in uncertain times, there is always room for innovation and beauty. For those seeking a watch that blends aesthetic refinement with mechanical mastery, the DB25GMT Starry Varius is an exceptional choice, offering a glimpse into both the vastness of the stars and the precision of timekeeping.
