DB27S8, Titan Hawk V1, Titanium

Founded in 2002, De Bethune began as an unlikely duo when David Zanetta, an Italian art and vintage watch retailer, and Denis Flageollet, a fourth-generation watchmaker who founded THA alongside FP Journe and Vianney Halter, decided to start their own venture so as to be less constrained by brands and their suppliers. They chose the name De Bethune after Chevalier De Bethune, a revolutionary 18th-century French escapement designer, as a nod to their ambition to become a truly independent manufacture. De Bethune have since established a reputation for pushing the boundaries of what is possible technically and in materials science, resulting in an impressive number of patents, whilst upholding the hand finishing tradition of the Jura mountain range in which they reside.

The DB27 Titan Hawk V1 was released in 2012 to mark the brand’s 10-year anniversary, a more restrained dial than the DB28. It retains the brand’s patented floating lug case, here in mirror polished grade 5 titanium at 43mm. De Bethune’s signature deltoid shape is echoed in the date pointer. Its dial features concentric ‘microlite’ engraving and raised and recessed sections creating a multi-dimensional appearance. Roman numeral hours combine with arabic minutes and a square minute track, a modern interpretation of chemin de fer, to create a unique balance of avante garde and traditional elements. In 2013, additional dial configurations were released. This monochromatic black with polished steel hands is the most dramatic option on offer. The DB27 was updated in 2018 to a V2, which removed the date and added a more sporting centre seconds along with an open caseback. 

While restraint is demonstrated on the dial, its in-house automatic calibre S233 features progressive movement technology in spades. Its self-regulating twin-barrel design provides an immense 6 days of power reserve. It utilizes a silicon escape wheel with innovative geometry that reduces wear on the pallet stones by 50%. The balance is particularly innovative, a low mass silicon balance encircled by high mass white gold. Further, the terminal curve of the balance spring is De Bethune’s own patented shape. Its titanium balance bridge with triple parachute shock absorber system, viewable through a window in the caseback, allows it to remain accurately positioned despite disturbances from the case exterior.  

The Titan Hawk is a three-hander that floats on the wrist despite its immense size and presence. The restraint shown in the dial design is emphasized by the achromic black dial variant. While its incredibly progressive design hints at its sophisticated movement technology, the DB27 is the most reserved and traditional of the floating lug models: distinctive, technically exceptional, and restrained independent watchmaking from Denis Flageollet.

This Titan Hawk V1 presents in excellent condition. Its mirror-polished titanium case has only the lightest signs of wear, it is difficult to find even light hairlines. The dial is flawless with no signs of patina or damage. Its calibre S233 is running well within spec. on our timing equipment.

This example is modelled on an average-sized 7-inch wrist.