quattro
[Moderator]
20601
Bullet/ogival lugs
I happen to like “bullet” or “ogival” shaped lugs very much. What about you?
Here are several examples from Cartier and De Bethune.
Best, Emmanuel
A/ CARTIER
All models below are part of the "Obus" line, which in French means "shell", "bombshell"
1/ Cartier Tank Obus (1920s)
Platinum case
credit: Antiquorum
2/ Cartier Quadrant Grand Modele 18k Yellow Gold Square Enamel (1980'S)
credit: Fabsuisse Vintage Watch
3/ Cartier Tank Obus (no other information)
credit: analog shift
4/ Cartier Tank Obus CPCP, ref. W1527551 (1998)
27 x 27mm case & movement: manual wind, Cartier caliber 437 MC
credit: WatchWorks Haarlem
5/ Cartier Tank Obus 'Vintage' (circa 1960)
19 x 32 mm 18K yellow gold case
credit: AMSTERDAM VINTAGE WATCHES
6/ CARTIER Tank “Obus” réf. 16XXXX (1920s)
credit: café noir les montres
B/ DE BETHUNE
Please also check Watchonthewrists' beautiful DB10 here
1/ DB1
41,5 mm yellow gold case
The movement was originally created by Denis Flageollet for Jaquet (now Lajoux Perret). It is stamped C.D.B, standing for Chevalier Dethune, an 18th Century French aristocrat and horologist known for his innovative escapement system and whose name inspired the founders of De Dethune
credit: phillips
2/ DB5
3/ DB12
42mm, 18K White Gold, sapphire display back & Caliber DB4040 (Venus 175 base)
credit: ROY & SACHA DAVIDOFF SA
4/ DB17 Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar Unique Piece
Movement: Caliber Christophe Claret Opus 4 base; manual 53-hour power reserve; 2.5Hz
credit: quill & pad
credit: quill & pad
5/ DB8R (2003)
42 mm rose gold case & cal. DB5008
credit: 41 watch
Complications
Explore a stunning collection of moonphase watches from Montblanc, A. Lange & Söhne, Patek Philippe, De Witt, De Bethune, and more. See diverse interpretations of this poetic complication.
32 replies11386 views
Wristshot
Discover foversta's top wristshots from Baselworld 2013. Explore new releases from independents and major brands like Breguet, De Bethune, and Girard-Perregaux.
75 replies52622 views
Discussion
Predict the winners of the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) 2016. Explore preselected watches across 12 categories.
6 replies13597 views
Market
Only Watch 2013 raised over 5 million EUR for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research, with the Patek Philippe lot fetching nearly 3 million EUR. Discover auction highlights and collector insights.
19 replies5479 views
Bullet/ogival lugs
I happen to like “ bullet ” or “ ogival ” shaped lugs very much. What about you? Here are several examples from Cartier and De Bethune . Best, Emmanuel A/ CARTIER All models below are part of the " Obus " line, which in French means " shell ", " bombshell...
All very nice, love seeing these pics
Tho truth be told, i prefer the Bra version. Ah well, different Times.
Well, as 1950s lady's fashion trends go, the Bra version of 'bullet'....
The Bullet Bra was a symbol of the 1950s and 'reshaped' how men saw the ladies. Like timepiece case shapes, it's just the ebb and flow of fashion.
I like all of these examples and how they executed the lugs with otherwise sophisticated cases.
These type lugs seem to give the watch aesthetic an interesting ‘edge’ /intrigue that adds to the attraction.
Thanks for the amazing post, Emmanuel!
I really appreciate your efforts with these types of posts!
That DB5 🤩
I've been hunting for a white gold one for a while, not many were made. Tried this yg version and loved it but not ready for colored gold... yet ...
I like the DeBethune bullet lugs but otherwise I'm not especially fond of them.
Love this one. Thanks for posting. M4 ...
DB’s execution is very special indeed.
And this DB8 is certainly attractive. Best, Emmanuel
These give character to the watch.
Very distinctive and recognizable. Thanks for the post, Emmanuel.
A very charming detail 👌🏻👏🏻👍🏻
And one of the signature DB ones. Just a small addition - the movement of the DB1 has been created by Denis Flageolet, FP Journe and Vianney Halter for THA and shared with the Cartier (2396C) and UN among others before Bucherer acquired THA (later Ming ha...
Thanks for your insight.
I didn’t know the movement had been made by the THA wonder team! Best, Emmanuel
DB has indeed made a very unique and attractive interpretation
of this shape of lugs. I like the Cartier ones too, though. Best, Emmanuel
Thanks for mentioning my DB10
A watch a specific bought for those lugs tbh . Not the most spectacular model from DB but still a elegant piece ...
It's (by far) my favourite design from De Bethune.
The only other model that I really like is the Starry Varius. Best, Emmanuel
Hi Emmanuel, may I ask whether
You've seen other models in person? DB in person looks so much better! For example, here is a terrible quality pic of 2 DBs. Although they look nice here, in person IMHO both are sooooo much better! Left - DB 15, right - DB 25 power reserve. ...
Hi Smironov,
Apart from the titanium Starry Varius, which I really liked, I haven't seen other DB models for real, unfortunately. I think I would like the DBs you show me very much as the DB15 has these wonderful ogival lugs and the DB25 is very close in many ways to ...
Yep, that's exactly what I thought
as it is hard not to fall in love when handling DBs in real life. Those lines, curves, shades, etc. need to be seen live!
Those are all beautiful watches so it is not easy to pick a favourite or two or three.
Many thanks for this great post with all these wonderful pictures and information of so many great watches, as I mentioned in your Cartier Tank Vis post I have a soft spot for the Cartier Tank Obus. Although i must admit I do prefer the Neo Vintage and mo...
This is by far my favorite design from De Bethune,
even if I also like the Starry Varius. And the Tank Obus are really wonderful. Thanks for stopping by, Marc. Best, Emmanuel
Every one of them is a beauty.
I’m surprised I like the DBs better than the Cartiers.
It's one of DB's best design for me.
I'm not completely sure if I like the DBs more than the Tanks, here, but I completely agree with you that all these watches are really good looking. Best, Emmanuel
