The Finest De Bethune Watches on the Market Today

The De Bethune Swiss watch manufacturer has recently sold a majority stake in the company to an investment consortium. This has spurred rumors about the quality of the brand, but we're assured by Pierre Jacques, the former CEO of the brand, along with Giovanni Perin, a private equity investor that the pursuit of horological innovation will continue on its normal trajectory, which is the achievement of excellence in each example that is produced. The Co-founder of the company, Denis Flageollet will retain a large stake in the company as co-founder David Zanetta steps down and cedes his shares. At the age of 70, Zanetta is leaving after making amazing contributions to the company. De Bethune has built 150 one of a kind watches in addition to creating 25 in house calibres and 30 examples that are "world firsts" s well as multiple patents. With this in mind, here are the five finest De Bethune watches on the market today.

1. De Bethune DB 26 Perpetual Calendar

The DB26 Perpetual Calendar is a gentleman's watch featuring an 18 karat white gold case measuring 40.5 mm. The bezel is crafted of 18 karat white gold and the material has been carried over to the deploy buckle on the crocodile skin leather strap style bracelet. The dial is silver colored featuring an automatic movement with hours, minutes, seconds, as well as date, day, month, leap year and moon phase. The power reserve is 60 hours. The perpetual calendar adjusts for long and short months including a four year change from 28 to 29 days each February to accommodate leap year. this watch featues a sapphire glass enhancing visibility for sharp and clear viewing with waterproof protection up to 60 feet.

Price $75,000

2. De Bethune DBSTW Tourbillon - 10th Anniversary

This is among the finest example built by the watchmaker to commemorate the 10th anniversary in a limited edition that has been strictly held to the production of just 10 pieces. The watch features an automatic movement within the pink gold case of 42. 8 mm for gentlemen who prefer a less bold presentation. The glass sapphire crystal enhances visual representation of the dial for clarity and readability. This watch is waterproof up to 60 feet with a 60 hour power reserve. The black bracelet is made of crocodile skin with a pink gold material used for the deploy buckle on the strap. This lovely example offers a Tourbillon function.

Price $109,500

3. DeBethune DB 28

This example of the DB28 is presented in titanium with a 43 mm case that houses the automatic movement, covered with a sapphire glass crystal for optimum clarity and readability of the black colored inner dial. It features a platinum bezel with titanium lugs. The minute, hour and seconds hands are crafted in titanium with hours, minutes, central jumping seconds, and tourbillon with 30 second indication functions. This special edition has been limited to a production of just 20 pieces. The bracelet is crocodile skin leather with titanium buckle It is water resistant up to 60 feet with a power reserve of 60 hours.

Price $175,000

4. De Bethune DB25TWS3V3 DB 25T Zodiac in White Gold With Hand Engraved Zodiac Signs

This fine example of the DB25 is one of the most unique innovations of the watchmaker, featuring a Zodiac theme. The 44 mm case is made of 18 karat white gold with matching materials for the bezel and the strap buckle. The DB25 features hours, minutes, central jumping seconds and a tourbillon with 30 second indication on the back of the watch. The white gold case houses the automatic movement. The bracelet is made of black crocodile skin leather. This watch also features a sapphire glass for sharp visibility and enhanced readability. It is waterproof up to 60 feet in depth with a power reserve of 60 hours.

Price: $121,000

5. De Bethune DB16 Perpetual Tourbillon Regulator White Gold

The DB16 Perpetual Tourbillon Regulator is offered with a manual winding movement. Although categorized as a men's watch, this example is also considered to be in the unisex classification as well. The case is made of 18 karat white gold material and measures 43 mm in width. The dial is a white color with an 18 karat white gold bezel. Functions include hours, minutes, center seconds, date, moon phase and tourbillon with 30 second indication on back of the watch. The bracelet is made of black crocodile skin leather material with an 18 karat gold deploy buckle.

Price $129,000