One can instantly recognize a De Bethune watch – the trademark elements are too distinct to be mistaken for anything else. Specially developed by master watchmaker and the brand’s co-founder, Denis Flageollet, the unique aesthetic appeals are the heat-treated titanium components and random guilloché patterns that adorn their creations.
The latest addition to the more classical DB25 collection, the DB25xs Sand Winds, launched in 2025 as the ’extra small’ version of the DB25, captivates with a fascinating yellow heat-treated titanium dial representing wind-blown sand dunes. De Bethune utilizes what the brand terms ‘the art of chromatic oxidation’ to generate their notably vibrant colored titanium components, a result spontaneously discovered while attempting to stabilize a titanium balance wheel- a technique also applied to blued steel. As the temperature scales up, the surface transits from an amber hue to purple and ultimately to a vivid electric blue.
The Grand Seiko family has introduced an exciting new member: the SLGB007. Dressed in a fresh suit with a Lake Suwa pattern, a typical signature of the brand, now presented in an unexpected black version, this luxurious timepiece stands out from its brethren fittingly. However, the new part code doesn’t just stop at modifying the color palette. It signifies a crucial evolutionary step involving innovative modification to its dial, movement, bracelet, and clasp among other elements.
On the surface, the SLGB007 seems like a straightforward fuse of past techniques, similar to the existing models, such as the White Birch SLGA009 or the Lake Suwa SLGA007. However, the noteworthy nuances lie in the balance between paying homage to the classic practices and embracing the call for reinvention.