Independents

Huge congratulations to you on its safe arrival.

Its a stunning piece.

After our recent conversations, I did contact the only AD in the UK and he kindly sent me a catalogue.

By the way how does the DB15 mark the leap year, I tried to see on your great photos but couldn't see how it does?

Yep, the Eagle finally landed Very happy with it as it looks just jaw dropping in real life. The photos really does not do it justice! Only that I will need some time to get used to it's size on my wrist. I'm used to wearing 37-39mm watches like my Langematik and Journe Octa so this one feels a bit bulky at the beginning.

With the leap year, there's a little window under the spherical moonphase. You can see there's a disc there that looks like the 2D moonphase on the other watches.

I hope you enjoy your catalogue and perhaps find a piece that interest you so you'll join the DB club too

Glad you guys like the photos.. it was done in a bit of a hurry before the sun start to set in the late afternoon!

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I wore my DB15 yesterday and could not stop staring at it!  It is a very special piece that you will derive much enjoyment from!

Craig

Thanks Craig! I have to say your white dial DB15 inspired me in getting this one The photos you posted of yours are amazing, especially the close up of the moonphase sphere!

I love the "almost symmetrie" of the movement and the balance which is not a continous wheel rim.
So many great details this Debethune!
Don

It's fun to watch the balance oscillate! Something very different to other watches.

That is one beautiful watch!  You did well with that purchase and I wish you well in obtaining some more funds this year to make another.

Well done!

 

Yes, hopefully my piggy bank fills up again It's starving right now.

You have bought the very same color scheme that I like the most.

You are so fortunate. I am so sure this watch will bring you the very best of what watch collecting is all about...the inner feeling of peace and goodness.

Somehow, the DB watches always manage to deliver!

Yes, I'm pretty sure this one will be a keeper, if not the "flag-ship" of my private collection for years to come..

I'm glad you like this color combination too! The rose gold markers really pops out with the gray.

The only regret is I'm not capable of sharing photos that are even close to the quality of the ones that you've taken!!! Your photos are amazing and I hope one day I can produce something not too far off

Simply gorgeous! That is the best color combo for the DB15! Congratulations on acquiring such a fantastic piece. Truly unique you would be hard pressed to find another person walking around with that one.

Wear it in the best of health!

you got yourself one hell of a piece
Great superb choice
BIG congratulations
Sincerely
Damian

I'm impressed by the attitude:  first fortnight of the new year and already blown the annual budget! 

Good on ya, mate!

MTF

Mate, you are spot on! I've totally blown the annual budget (or possibly biennial budget)!! But have to say again this is worth every cent. There ain't a lot of watches that I would be happy to pay the price of not being able to get other pieces for an extended period of time but I'm very happy with the choice I made this time

As you can see from my avatar, I'm rather partial to the Antipodeans....

 

MTF

Hi everyone,

Again thanks for all the support given and it's really my pleasure to share with you these photos. You guys are just so inspiring and encouraging that I find it an honor to be in this forum! I apologise for posting them hastily and so didn't manage to tell the story with the photos. In case anyone's interested, I'd share my acquisition experience here. I know many of us here have gone through a very similar path. Please forgive me if it bores you for I'm not a very good storyteller

I have to say a couple of years ago although I'm very passionate about watches I know relatively very little about watches (not that I know a lot now) and I only knew about PP, VC, AP etc being the best of the best, and the more complications the better. Little did I know about the world of Independents, these masters of their crafts that produce some of the most amazing watches in the world but are virtually unheard of to the general public. I have gained more knowledge about watches through watch magazines, introducing me to other top tier brands such as Lange & Sohne (which is currently my favourite big house brand) that are equally magnificent but arguably lesser known than their top Swiss counterparts. Ever since I've joined the forums, it continue to be an eye opener for me. A lot of you guys here that are even more passionate than I am, eagerly sharing your experience and knowledge with all kinds of watches that I have never heard of before, brought another level of "haute horlogerie" before my eyes.

In 2009, I have added a Langematik and a Journe Octa Reserve de Marche to my very small collection. Lange to me represent the best of the big manufacturers, and Journe is one of the most successful Independents. The Journe is my first watch from an Independent watchmaker, my first step into a different world of horlogerie. It is a slippery slope.

Once I have my mind around to the Independents, I start to admire creations by Dufour, Voutilainen, De Bethune,  just to name a few. I start to appreciate why a simple 3-hand watch by Dufour cost the same as a tourbillon by, say, JLC. I get astonished by subtle differences in finishing, such as anglage, between, say my Lange and my JLC under a 4x loupe, while my wife wonder what the big deal is.

When I saw Craig LA's photos of his gorgeous DB15 I was captured by it's beauty. The unique spherical moonphase, the classic yet brave design cues, and the technology in the watch, won me over totally. But it was one that I liked but never have thought about owning because 1) I have never seen a local AD carry this brand, 2) it's MSRP. I also love the Voutilainen Observatoire's having seen photos posted by their generous owners here, and I continue to drool over such postings. Additionally, when Lange announced the Zeitwerk and FX and a few others have kindly shared their perfect wrist shots with the Zeitwerk, my heart skipped a beat. These 3 are my favourite out of all favourites but I only dare have them in my "wish/dream list" as the price of these watches are all over my budget.

Then out of the blue, one day I was offered an opportunity to acquire this DB15 for a price I simply could not resist. The watch is in as new condition (no scruffs at all and looks unworn) but is a few years old. The downside is that I have to part ways with one of my other watches to get enough funds for it. I didn't hesitate at all as I know I'll be kicking myself in the head if I let this opportunity lapse. A few weeks later I'm one VERY happy man, with a very UNHAPPY and shattered piggy bank. And as Nico said, there's only 1 De Bethune QP but there can be multiple piggy banks

Before the acquisition, I have my Master Compressor and Langematik for weekday, and my Octa RdM and Master Moon for weekends. Now I can have the Master Moon on weekday rotations as well and the DB15 for the weekend rotations (which is handy since both the Octa RdM and DB15 have 5 day power reserve).

Thanks for reading my story and thanks for all the knowledge, the eye candies, and the entertainment that you guys have given me! I hope everybody have a very fruitful (in watch collection) year in 2010

the only 'downside' is the story only just begins ;-)
There will be many more waiting for you ahead for your careful and passionate pick
Lovesss*CL

Hi,

i have the DB17 rose gold version. However, it seems our leap year indicator showing differently.

Mine is almost "blank" out while yours is about 3/4 "blank" out

Any idea why is it so ?

 

 

I think I might have the perpetual calendar set at the wrong year (too eager to take initial photos!!) - or that my watch shop have set it wrongly and I didn't check. I haven't tried yet to see whether full white represents the leap year of the full blue represent the leap year. I assume the full white represent the leap year. This year is 2010, so in terms of L 1 2 3, this is year 2. Will try that tonight. Thanks for picking that out.

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will try to load pictures if i can figure how to do it

 

 

Just sign up to a free photo sharing web site (I'm not sure if I'm allowed to recommend here, so I'd refrain from that, but there are lots of them out there). Upload your photos there, then normally they will allow you to copy and paste links to their photos, so just copy and paste the HTML links and paste into a message here

Nice pickup!  Congratulations!  Yet another reminder of why I really admire De Bethune.  Enjoy your new beauty!

Cheers,

Daos

I agree, I'm even more impressed with them now I've seen one in the metal.

stunning and very appeailng watch,enjoy and wear it in the best of health

greetings from France

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Congrats Sid!

Hope you are doing well!

Cheers

Stephen