De Bethune DB27 Titan Hawk Review

De Bethune DB27 Titan Hawk Review


by Matthew Boston

Denis Flageollet, the creative force behind De Bethune has over the past decade introduced us to many advanced new technical features. So when a new model is presented by De Bethune, people familiar with the brand have come to expect something with an array of innovative and ingenious features. De Bethune were for example one of the first watch brands to use silicon escapements. The De Bethune DB27 Titan Hawk like other models is similarly endowed in technical prowess, it is the first member of the DB27 family and De Bethune’s entry level watch, making it their most affordable watch by some degree.

De Bethune DB27 Titan Hawk – Movement

Powering the DB27 is the Calibre S233, a self-winding movement with an impressive six-day power reserve. The calibre incorporates De Bethunes main technological breakthroughs. Self-regulating twin barrels which according to De Bethune guarantee reduced friction and the development of more constant forces. To reduce the influence of shocks on the accuracy of the watch as well as actively protecting the pivots of the balance there is De Bethunes triple pare-chute shock absorption system. To increase the lightness and rigidity of the plate the oscillating weight is made of titanium, and platinum to maintain an ideal weight and inertia ratio. There is also De Bethunes signature balance spring and their notable white gold and silicon balance-wheel. The impressive mechanical engineering is viewable by way of the small sapphire crystal porthole in the case back which is placed at the 6 o’clock position and shows the sprung balance and the unconventional arms of the oscillating weight.

De Bethune DB27 Titan Hawk - Caseback

De Bethune DB27 Titan Hawk – Caseback

De Bethune DB27 Titan Hawk – Dial

Apart from indicating the hours and minutes the De Bethune DB27 Titan Hawk uses a central hand to indicate the date. The dial is Microlight silver-toned and has a few levels of viewing to it with the ‘open-worked’ hands adding a further depth to it. The hand-polished hour and minute hands have been flame-blued in-house in different shades of blue to give them subtle changes in different lighting conditions and to indicate the time they use a raised and rounded off outer chapter ring with Roman numerals. The hands have a nice open-worked effect, which is also used for the central date hand, and this expands at the bottom to form an hour glass shape. The reason for this I am unaware but is likely purely decorative. The date markers adorn an inset dial that also has a nice concentric circular pattern to it. The overall effect is very appealing, and while being quite unusual still compliments the classical look of the DB27. Overall the dial exhibits a nice blend of hand crafted tradition and contemporary aesthetics.

De Bethune DB27 Titan Hawk

De Bethune DB27 Titan Hawk

De Bethune DB27 Titan Hawk – Case

The De Bethune DB27 Titan Hawk case is milled from grade 5 titanium this particular alloy making it possible for De Bethune to achieve the high lustre polish for the case that they wanted. The case has De Bethunes typically sculptural design to it with lots of nice curves and detailing. Winding the patented self-regulating twin barrels takes place by using the crown located at the 12 o’clock position.

De Bethune DB27 Titan Hawk

De Bethune DB27 Titan Hawk

The 44mm case is fitted with De Bethunes special spring loaded floating lugs that have been seen on their other models and are used to help ensure an ergonomic fit to the wrist, this added to the light titanium construction should make the De Bethune DB27 Titan Hawk extremeley comfortable to wear.

De Bethune DB27 Titan Hawk – Conclusion and Price

With a more classical facade than many other De Bethune models the DB27 Titan Hawk nevertheless maintains an avant garde edge to it. It combines an innovative design with time-honoured decorative ideals and craftsmanship – everything is hand finished , chamfered and polished. The De Bethune DB27 Titan Hawk could be a daily worn watch however is more likely to come out just for special occasions and is ultimately most likely to appeal to those with more traditional tastes in watches. Priced at CHF 37,000 (approximately $41,159) the DB27 Titan Hawk comes on a hand sewn alligator strap with matching pin buckle and is available in silver and black.

    Author Bio

    Articles by Matthew Boston

    CONTRIBUTOR

    Matthew Boston has worked in the computer graphics industry for 17 years in various parts of the world, currently residing back home in the UK. His interest in watches was first piqued as a youngster when he was fascinated by a Seiko digital watch he received. He's also founder of UniqueWatchGuide which is dedicated to sharing the news about timepieces that are unusual, unconventional and more often than not unobtainable.