De Bethune
Le Locle, Switzerland · Est. 2002
Founded by David Zanetta, Denis Flageollet
De Béthune was founded in L'Auberson, Switzerland in 2002 by David Zanetta and master watchmaker Denis Flageollet, and has since established itself as one of the most technically and aesthetically inventive independent manufactures. The brand is known for its innovative use of materials including titanium, silicon, and white gold in movement components.
- Founded
- 2002
- Headquarters
- Le Locle, Switzerland
- Group
- Independent
- Price Segment
- Ultra
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- DB25 — Classical round case family housing some of De Bethune's most complex movements, including perpetual calendars, tourbillons and world-time complications.
- DB27 — Self-winding line featuring the brand's patented floating lugs and Titan Hawk variants, positioned as a contemporary daily-wear De Bethune.
- DB28 — Iconic model with mobile lugs, hollowed bridges and blued-titanium hand-finishing, widely regarded as the signature De Bethune piece.
- DB28XP — Ultra-thin interpretation of the DB28, with a pared-back dial and slimmed movement architecture.
- DB28XS — Smaller-diameter DB28 designed for slimmer wrists, retaining the floating-lug construction.
- DB29 — Maxichrono chronograph with a patented mono-pusher architecture and five coaxial central hands.
- DBD — Digital-display collection using rotating discs to show jumping hours and trailing minutes in an unconventional layout.
- DB Eight — Eight-sided case family inspired by historic pocket-watch forms, combining traditional architecture with De Bethune hand-finishing.
- DB Kind of Two — Reversible double-dial construction offering two distinct faces — one classical, one contemporary — on a single case.
Timeline
- 2002 — David Zanetta and Denis Flageollet co-found De Bethune in L'Auberson, Switzerland.
- 2004 — Introduces the world's lightest tourbillon using titanium and silicon components.
- 2007 — Debuts the DB28, which becomes the brand's most iconic model with its floating lugs.
- 2010 — Wins the Aiguille d'Or (Golden Hand) at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève.
- 2012 — Introduces patented triple pare-chute shock absorber system.
- 2019 — Launches the DB Kind of Two Tourbillon, combining classical aesthetics with contemporary innovation.
- 2022 — Denis Flageollet becomes sole owner; continues pushing boundaries in metallurgy and movement technology.
- 2025 — Released five new models in 2025, continuing to push avant-garde independent haute horlogerie.
- 2025 — Released smallest-ever Kind of Blue tourbillon (38.7mm) and two downsized Starry Varius models at Geneva Watch Days.
- 2026 — Collaborated with Louis Vuitton on LVDB-03 Louis Varius Project Sympathique clock-and-watch set (12 pieces).
Frequently Asked Questions about De Bethune
- What makes De Bethune special?
- De Bethune is renowned for technological innovation including the lightest tourbillon, patented shock absorbers, and mastery of blued titanium, combined with a distinctive starry-sky dial aesthetic.
- Who makes De Bethune movements?
- All De Bethune movements are designed and manufactured in-house by master watchmaker Denis Flageollet and his team in L'Auberson, Switzerland.