De Bethune Pushes The Envelope with Aerospace-Grade Innovations in its Prestigious DB25xs Sand Winds Model

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 DB25 collection is often synonymous with celestial Starry Varius dials. The recent DB25xs Sand Winds presents a yellow heat-oxidized titanium dial beautified by a guilloché pattern reminiscent of the wind-swept sand dune profiles, which casts a mesmerizing depth and light-play on the dial. Further enhancing the exotic vista are tiny spherical stars and hand-polished titanium markers. In line with the model’s classic soul, the hand-polished titanium Breguet-style hands flaunt open ends along with a charming warm brown hue, perfected by heat treatment.

The watch features a slim 40.6mm titanium case polished impeccably, offering comfortable wear thanks to the lightweight titanium, signature tapering lugs with bullet-shaped tips and compact dimensions. The transparent reverse powered by the in-house DB2005 calibre, a manual-winding movement with 4Hz frequency, reveals a substantial six-day power reserve brought by its patented twin barrel system.