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Do you believe De Bethune's quality is in a different league from RD?

 

Hi Jiaxin:

I agree with you that designs of most of current RD offerings are not to my taste, and they are probably not as innovative as DB when it comes to movement design.  However, I cannot agree with you that quality of De Bethune's watches are in different league from RD.  I have never owned a De Bethune, but I have owned a classic Sympathie and still own two from their current offerings (one Hommage, and one women's Much More).  The dial, case and movement finishing are no worst than some of other high-end watches I own or owned, including AP, VC and Lange, and definitely higher than regular production GP and JLC.    Also, aren't their newer movements mostly their own designs?  I like the new Split Second Chrono movement quite a lot.  Plus no matter how innovative De Bethune is, I like neither the look of their watch nor the look of their movements, and somehow I find it hard to believe they are better finished than RD.

Just my $0.02 which is not much these days comparing to Euro or even Sg smile

John.

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26 Comments view entire thread 

De Bethune...If Only

 
By: amanico : April 16th, 2008-07:29
Well, this is a problematic brand, De Bethune, for me... I love a lot their original watches, and design. The dials are very often interesting and beautiful, as this maginficient pc in line, with the original moonphase But,but, but... Did you notice the p...  

QP and other simple ones

 
By: aaronm : April 16th, 2008-12:38
As you might remember, I'm quite a fan of the older style QP(DB15) The digitale and the DBS use this massive case, with the odd top lugishthing, but the rest of the line still lugs, although not as many use the torpedo lugs as I'd like. The brand seems to... 

De Bethune is in a whole different league from RD

 
By: SJX : April 16th, 2008-23:42
The quality of De Bethune all round - dial, case, hands and even the straps - is truly outstanding. Innovation in terms of technology is also amazing, but they seem a bit too ambitious and deliever much too few watches for the brand to really establish it... 

Fan of avant garde De Bethune

 
By: LVT : April 17th, 2008-02:02
I am a fan of avant garde line of De Bethune . I love its design , finishing in dial, case, hands, movement .

I also love the forward looking design of some of the watches.

 
By: hal : April 17th, 2008-11:58
I have owned the DBS for quite a while, and I would say that even more than with most watches you must see it in the the real and wear it to really get to know if it's for you. My watch has torpedo lugs on one side and an attachment on the other --a very ... 

Right, I didn't say they were like RD

 
By: aaronm : April 17th, 2008-07:56
but following a similar path. Both started out with refinishing NOS movement (DB was using A. Schild for a while I seem to recall), tuning them and putting them in elegant but slightly avant-garde cases. Compare DB5 (http://ninanet.net/watches/others10/Me... 

I think not

 
By: SJX : April 17th, 2008-09:05
De Bethune has shown a strong compulsion to really innovate, to get to the bleeding edge of horology (whether or not that is actual progress is debatable), and that is something that was absent from Roger Dubuis even in the halcyon early years. Yes, the b... 

Do you believe De Bethune's quality is in a different league from RD?

 
By: loujo : April 17th, 2008-11:09
Hi Jiaxin: I agree with you that designs of most of current RD offerings are not to my taste, and they are probably not as innovative as DB when it comes to movement design. However, I cannot agree with you that quality of De Bethune's watches are in diff... 

Yes, it is IMHO

 
By: SJX : April 17th, 2008-19:44
De Bethune movements are extremely well finished, I would rate them as one of the best out there. I think they put in as much effort as Patek or RD, but they lack the decorative flourishes that are typical of Genevois finishing. For example, the DB22 "Pow... 

SJX, do you thinl you can make a photo essay of the De Bethune Watches?

 
By: amanico : April 17th, 2008-20:58
As we didn't speak a lot of these watches, and obviously, we don't know them well... It may be interesting to pay to these watches some interest. I made a quick search on them, and discovered quite wonderful specimen. Best. Nicolas

That's a good idea

 
By: SJX : April 17th, 2008-21:02
Sometimes it is difficult to get access to De Bethune watches because they make and deliever such a tiny quantity each year. You can also check out my Baselworld 2008 report here if you haven't already. - SJX

Thanks, SJX

 
By: amanico : April 17th, 2008-21:10
I already saw your report, and indeed there are nice watches here! Maybe we'll have to work a bit more on this not well known brand. Best. Nicolas

DB22 movement

 
By: LVT : April 18th, 2008-10:16
design and finishing of BD 22 and Maxi Chrono movement are impressive , let see blue titanium parts , they use the same technology of making blue steel hand , screw , the result is blue+grey colour . I appreciate the simple/ morden design of De Bethune , ...