De Bethune's DB28XS has always sat at the intersection of serious independent watchmaking and compact wearability. With the DB28XS Dark Sand, the manufacture takes that formula into decidedly darker, more mineral territory—deploying matte anthracite zirconium across the case and floating lugs to create something that reads as both stealthy and technically intentional. The use of purple on the hands takes us back to 2024’s De Bethune Purple Rain.
Things to Know About the Watch
The DB28XS Dark Sand reference DB28XSSWZ measures 38.7 mm in diameter at just 8 mm thick, making it one of the more discreet offerings in De Bethune's current lineup without sacrificing presence. Zirconium is the key material story here: dense, corrosion-resistant, and finished in a matte anthracite that earns the "Dark Sand" name. The floating lug system, patented by De Bethune in 2006, remains one of the more elegant solutions in independent watchmaking for conforming the case naturally to the wrist.
The dial is a study in tonal restraint—a black sandblasted titanium background, a barleycorn guilloché anthracite barrel bridge cover, and a black circular satin-finished titanium hour-and-minute ring punctuated by polished purple titanium hour markers and matching hands. The purple accents are the one moment of chromatic relief against an otherwise monochromatic composition, and they work precisely because they're so restrained.
The Movement
The Calibre DB2115V13 is a manual-wound movement running at 28,800 vph with a 6-day power reserve delivered by a self-regulating twin barrel. Its 241 parts and 36 jewels include a titanium balance wheel with white gold inserts engineered for thermal compensation and air resistance, a proprietary flat-terminal-curve balance spring, a silicon escape wheel, and De Bethune's triple pare-chute shock absorption system. Power reserve is displayed on a linear gauge-type indicator through the display case back. The movement is a real treat for the eyes as with any other De Bethune timepiece.
On the Wrist & Price
With a conservative diameter and a svelte thickness, the De Bethune DB28XS Dark Sand wears with the low-key confidence that zirconium's density quietly reinforces. It's a watch for the collector who already knows what the brand stands for, there's no showmanship here, only pure craft and De Bethune at its best.
Sticker Price CHF 90,000—approx USD 115,000. For more info on De Bethune click here.
