Independents

Hi all,
it's a great pleasure to announce a  fantastic new article by Magnus Bosse.
I think it's no exaggeration to say it's a real treat!
Thanks a lot Magnus for sharing it with us - fantastic report and pictures, a real opus (magnus) :-)



Click Picture to Read the Article Thanks and best regards
Suitbert

indeniable that De Bethune is on something and that their movement developpments are incredible.

Did you get to see the new "Power" model?

I have only seen the pics which were presented on this site some time ago. I will update the article once I got to see this watch. I like its design quite a bit! Magnus

Thanks for posting this great article and pictures. Beautifull brand and exceptional pieces; much to my liking. Geo

nt

When I saw the setup of the article even before I started reading I was reminded of another one some time ago, which looked very similar. The one you wrote about the Piguet/Mueller/Gerber watch.

Again you give us a report with all details we could possibly wish.

What a great work. Thank you Dr. Bosse and warm regards

Lord Arran

and has helped to develop a format (and trained my HTML skills!) for drafting intense articles like this one! Thanks for your words! Magnus

Absolutely breathtaking.

These pictures are extraordinary.

bravo bravo bravo

Deniz

It was so interesting to read about this company and their ability to
flow between the worlds of high technology and old world craftsmanship.
I can't imagine what one of their watches must cost, but whatever it is
it would be worth it! 
Thanks to the author for a great report.

nt

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a lot more about this special brand. Also, I have never seen the new case before. I wonder how it looks in the flesh. Not too bulky, I hope. Thanks again! Cheers, Valentin

design, quite flat and soo delicious! Thanks, Magnus

I agree with you about your comments on the dial layout. But I love it.

BTW, some of the Maxichrono pics are not linking to the higher res. images.

so every picture should be visible now. Please check back! Guess in the 18 months I was working on this article something got lost... Cheers, Magnus

If you liked the Maxichrono.. Go to the de Bethune web site where they have a small pic of what I can assume is the production version. An Improvement over the prototype, here's the link:

debethune.ch

as this would add some inconsistency in the judgement. Same goes for the "Power" model! If I get a chance to handle these watches, I would of course update the article. Magnus

 

Fantastic photos Magnus!

Like Alex wrote above, I'm no real fan of the Brand, but I must say that I love their moon :-)

Now seeing it created (!), was really an exciting event!

When you see reports from different watchmakers, big and small, you see machines and CAD CAM all over.

I have been to VC and AP including their R&P, and even Philippe Dufour.

Your romantic part longs for pics like these from George Daniels and Roger Smith's workbenches :-) Borrowed from Curtis some years ago.

Love also the old photos of George Daniels sitting at his bench, with just a window in front, no computer.

Best Doc

Forgot the pics! Doc

as it adds precision to the entire construction. As Philipe Dufour said to me last year, the handfinishing adds to the soul of a watch. CAD, CNC and Spark Erosion are not proprietary techniques for the Swiss watch industry (or for the watch industry at all), therefore the question where these facilities are located ("in-house" or not) is not that impoartant to him. It is important to make a point with the handwork. Best, Magnus

I know,I know, please don't misunderstand me. It's just the romatic light... Actually I tried to find an old pic that I have somewhere from the 60s, of George Daniels at the bench :-) Thanks again for a very fine report! Best Doc

driven by the odem of the founder, not compromising because of the financial interest of the (often anonymous or financially interested) owner. It takes much more time and energy, I think, to go the individual road, but for me it is much more genuine, if I may say so. Many (but not all!) independents and small manufactures prove that. I cherish for example the small car manufacturers in England, but also in Switzerland. They use many parts from the big car companies (environmental and safety regulations necessitate this often), but still the cars are a true manufestation of an independent's mind. Cheers, Magnus

This is why I love this site!
Thank you,
West

watches before with much interest and enthusiasm, I had not been moved to actually see one in the flesh. But your writing about their innovations and unique approaches does that for me! Thanks for the education.

about their style and case sizes.