The first Chronograph from De Bethune came out in 2006 and it was an instant sensation with its five central hands. In 2014, the DB29 Maxichrono Tourbillon came out and then in 2017, it was revisited as the DB28 Maxichrono. This year at Baselworld 2019, a new iteration of the Maxichrono made its appearance with the DB21 Maxichrono Re-Edition in a limited edition of 10 pieces. One of our favorite mono-pusher chronographs out there, the De Bethune DB21 Maxichrono features a mono-pusher 24-hour chronograph with five hands on the central pinion and concentric chrono totallizers that go all the way from the center of the dial to the periphery.
Things to Know About the Watch
This time the DB21 Maxichrono Re-Edition is cased in titanium and blued titanium. While the middle case is in grade 5 titanium measuring 44.4 mm in diameter and 12 mm in thickness, the floating lugs are in blued grade 5 titanium. The middle case is mirror polished while the bezel is satin-brushed allowing for greater contrast against the blue traditional short or long floating lugs.
Also, for the very first time on the Maxichrono, the bezel features 12 recessed screws with their heads shaped like the De Bethune triangular bridge.
Additionally, for the first time on the Maxichrono, the winding crown with integrated monopusher for the chronograph has been relocated to the 6 o’clock position rather than the usual one at 12 o’clock on its predecessors. All chrono functions are operated via the mono-pusher on the screw-down winding crown.
The Dial
The De Bethune DB21 Maxichrono is fitted with a very sporty yet elegant dial. The three-dimensional dial is built on different levels and finishes to maximize readability. From the center to the periphery one can find a silver snailed center followed by a silver-toned central hours ring with blue imprint, then an hour-markers ring in titanium with blued markers with the shape of the De Bethune triangular-shaped bridge, and lastly, a silver-toned minutes ring with red imprint and a 1/10th of a second graduated outer ring for seconds. Somehow the dial does a great job at combining a contemporary design with a more classical vintage chronograph look with the somewhat railway-type minute track.
With its impressive five central hands, readability is never compromised. There are two flame-blued steel hands for the hours and seconds of the chronograph, one red hand for the chronograph minutes and two hand black polished steel hands for the time reading of the hours and minutes. Exquisite design and flawless finishing.
The Strap
The De Bethune DB21 Maxichrono Re-Edition is equipped with one of the most beautiful blue straps out there matching the blued titanium on its floating lugs. The blue alligator strap with an almost iridescent finish, features a blued titanium pin buckle.
The Movement
Turning the watch over reveals the exquisitely finished manual wound De Bethune calibre DB2030. This in-house movement is composed of 384 parts, 47 jewels, three column wheels and the patented De Bethune Absolute Clutch. This clutch is a hybrid system that combines the features of a lateral clutch and a vertical clutch mechanism. The movement is entirely crafted and decorated by hand with stellar black polishing. The movement beats at a frequency of 36,600 vph and provides an outstanding power reserve of five full days when fully wound.
On the Wrist & Price
On the wrist, the De Bethune DB21 Maxichrono Re-Edition is an absolute treat that wears slightly bigger than its actual size —due to the shape of its lugs— but very comfortably. We’ve said this before, something we love about some of the De Bethune watches —like this Maxichrono— is the lack of a logo or branding on the dial. As they say, when you know, you know and only those that are in the know will be able to call you out on what you are wearing. One of our top five watches from Baselworld 2019 and worth every penny.
Sticker Price CHF155,000 Swiss Francs —approximately $155,500 USD. For more info on De Bethune click here.
