Credits: Article and images by @ Revolution Watch Magazine. See the original article here - https://revolutionwatch.com/grail-watch-6-de-bethune-db25-perpetual-calendar-rhapsody-in-blue/
We are proud to present Grail Watch 6, a dream collaboration of magnificent proportions! We are extremely privileged to partner with independent watchmaker De Bethune to create a deep blue-dialled version of their gorgeous DB25 Perpetual Calendar in a reduced case size of 40mm, first introduced at Geneva Watch Days 2022. Our version is called Rhapsody in Blue as we think it perfectly encapsulates the aesthetic codes that represent master watchmaker Denis Flagoellet’s two-decade long pursuit of chronometry.
The DB25 has one of the most legible perpetual calendar designs on the market with every calendar indication laid out in beautiful symmetry. The days and months are displayed at opposing ends in easy-to-read apertures, juxtaposed by two subdials for the date indicator and De Bethune’s signature spherical moonphase in palladium and hand-blued steel. The “moon” rotates in a night sky disk made of blued titanium engraved with rose gold stars and a yellow gold pastille that indicates the leap year. The Roman hour indexes and minute track are relief-printed in silver on a blue ring that rests upon a central dial plate featuring 12 sectors of a radiating hand-guilloché pattern. The dial is simply a symphony of layers and textures, and the hand mirror-polished stainless steel hands only add to its high-contrast quality.
The refinement of the finishing extends to the caliber DB2324V2 at the back which is an exhibition of propriety innovations from De Bethune. Master watchmaker Denis Flageollet’s two-decade long pursuit of chronometry can be observed from the beating heart of the movement. The blued titanium free-sprung balance wheel is adjusted through white gold inertia weights with a flat hairspring that has a patented terminal curve geometry. The entire oscillator is protected from shocks by an ingenious triple pare-chute shock-absorbing system consisting of the balance pivot anti-shock spring and two stainless steel arms that act as shock-absorbers at both ends of the blued titanium balance bridge. Impact-dampening innovation can also be found in the blued titanium and platinum oscillating weight affixed by a central four-spoke housing that has tiny spring-feet which help absorb shock during an impact. The entire wheel train and twin barrels are secured by a ¾ movement plate decorated with a star motif, sandblasted and snailed by hand. All steel components are also chamfered and polished by hand. Finally, all that technological finery is housed in a mirror-polished Grade 5 titanium case with integrated skeletonized lugs, making it light on the wrist and incredibly wearable.
Grail Watch 6: De Bethune DB25 Perpetual Calendar Rhapsody in Blue is a limited edition of five pieces priced at CHF130,000 each and has been fully committed. Keep an eye out for the next Grail Watch coming soon!
Credits: Article and images by @ Revolution Watch Magazine. See the original article here - https://revolutionwatch.com/grail-watch-6-de-bethune-db25-perpetual-calendar-rhapsody-in-blue/
