De Bethune is on the recovery path from near disaster in 2017, and now announces the Maestri’Art Collection. As a philosophical extension the the 12 Art Piece DB25 Imperial Fiountain timepieces, the new collection aslThe first is crafted from a specific alloy little known in the West, using the working methods of historical Japanese metallurgists and combining this ancestral expertise with cutting-edge techniques. Conversely, the second model focuses on the quest for artisan-style techniques that involved adjusting hand engraving methods to fashion an extremely high-tech material such as titanium.
De Bethune Maestri’Art Collection
The main focus of the collection is the engraving and the artistic works on the dial and cae back. For once, perhaps the movement takes a back seat in a De Bethune watch.
These artistic creations are engraved by the artist Michèle Rothen, these two models are at the crossroads between art and artisanship. Sharing values such as meticulous care and fine craftsmanship, combining its watchmaking expertise with the experience and creativity of illustrious Japanese and Chinese artisans, the Manufacture De Bethune recognises in Far Eastern art the same level of excellence as that prevailing in Swiss Watchmaking.
Maestri’Art I
This model recreates the technical and aesthetic spirit of Tsubas, the Japanese sword guards designed to protect a samurai’s hand from sliding into the blade.
Animal motifs are inlaid and engraved on the model exalt this material by infusing it with strength and light. The dragon is perched on the clouds and stretching across the entire watch, from the dial to the case middle and on to the back. He is boldly defied by a tiger, master of the bamboo forest. The tiger represents power, courage, bravery and ferocity, all elements of raw human nature.The dragon also embodies power and vitality, but combined with wisdom. These two types of character appear in human beings in the making. To begin with, the tiger dominates and then, as time goes by, the dragon progressively takes over and an individual thus acquires balance and maturity. The tiger and dragon thus represent an important symbolic image often used to signify self-control in the teaching of martial arts. The hours and minutes functions are displayed on a microlight dial, in the centre of this objet d’art.
Maestri’Art I Technical specifications
Name: Maestri’Art I
Functions: Hours, Minutes
Movement: AUTOV2 Type: Mechanical self-winding movement Adjustment: Winding and setting the time (2 positions)
Technical features of calibre AUTOV2
Number of parts: 217 Jewelling: 29 jewels Diameter: 30 mm Power reserve: 60 hours
Specificities: Titanium balance wheel with white gold inserts, optimized for temperature differences and air penetration De Bethune Patent (2016)
“De Bethune” balance-spring with flat terminal curve De Bethune Patent (2006)
Steel escape wheel
Optimized oscillating weight in titanium and alloy of tungsten
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour Adornment: Hand-crafted finishing and decoration
Display: Hand-polished steel hands Dial: Alloy according to Japanese ancestral methods, engraved by hand representing a tiger and a dragon enhanced with gold particles
Case material: Alloy according to Japanese ancestral methods engraved by hand enhanced with gold particles Case diameter: 43 mm Case thickness: 10 mm Lugs: Short floating lugs in black polished zirconium De Bethune Patent (2006) Crystal: In sapphire crystal (hardness of 1800 Vickers) with double anti-reflective coating Case back: Open in Alloy according to Japanese ancestral methods engraved by hand enhanced with gold particles Sapphire crystal (hardness of 1800 Vickers) with double anti-reflective coating Water resistance: 3 ATM Strap: Extra-supple alligator skin, lining in alligator Buckle: Pin buckle in black polished zirconium
Maestri’Art II
This model evokes the finesse and extreme delicacy of Asian etchings, often made on bronze vases. It channels the spirit of Chinese poetry and engravers through a modern watch.
As an extension to the work they have done in the starry skies editions, De Bethune continues its research on titanium, this time focusing on hand engraving. Enhanced with gold particles, the latter drew upon the spirit of innovation and expertise cultivated by the Manufacture. The result is a classic blued titanium watch with hours and minutes shown on 12 diamond hour-markers. In Asia, and particularly in China, symbols occupy a crucial place in art, culture and daily life. Whether ancient or modern, Chinese koi symbolism appears in the decoration of objects, furniture and clothing. With its powerful scales, the carp was often compared to a warrior and venerated for its courage and perseverance in swimming upstream to leap over the “Dragon’s Gate” (Longmen Falls). If it managed to clear the falls, it turned into a dragon. A candidate having successfully passed the difficult exams giving access to the highest levels of the imperial administration was referred to as “a fish transformed into a dragon”.
Maestri’Art II Technical specifications
Name: Maestri’ Art II Functions: Hours, Minutes Movement: DB2005 Type: Mechanical manual-winding calibre Adjustment: Winding and setting the time by means of the crown (2 positions)
Technical features of calibre DB2005
Number of parts: 160 Jewelling: 27 jewels Diameter: 30 mm Power reserve: 6 days, ensured by a self-regulating twin barrel De Bethune Innovation (2004)
Specificities: Titanium balance wheel with white gold inserts, optimised for temperature differences and air penetration De Bethune Patent (2016)
“De Bethune” balance-spring with flat terminal curve De Bethune Patent (2006)
Silicon escape wheel
Triple pare-chute shock-absorbing system De Bethune Innovation (2005)
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour
Adornment: Silver plate and barrel bridge cover adorned with “Côtes De Bethune” Hand-snailed barrels Hand-polished, chamfered steel parts
Display: Hands in hand-polished steel Dial : In blued grade 5 titanium engraved by hand enhanced with gold particles Hours and minutes shown on 12 diamond hour-markers Case material: Blued polished grade 5 titanium Case diameter: 42 mm Case thickness: 8,8 mm Lugs: Integrated, hollowed lugs Crystal: In sapphire crystal (1800 Vickers hardness) with double antireflective coating Case back: Open case back in polished grade 5 titanium Sapphire crystal (1800 Vickers hardness) with double anti-reflective coating Water-resistance: 3 ATM Strap: Extra-supple alligator leather, alligator lining Buckle: Pin buckle in blued grade 5 titanium
