De Bethune DB28 GS Yellow Submarine
De Bethune DB28 GS Yellow Submarine
Watch the Unboxing
DB28 GS Yellow Submarine Unboxing
Our Take
Last year, we were thrilled to get our hands on the De Bethune DB28 GS Grand Bleu. It is an absolute stunner, sitting at the intersection of horological art and rugged wearability. To kick off 2021, we’re excited to offer the latest edition of the DB28 GS line, the Yellow Submarine.
Released in October 2020, the Yellow Submarine catches and confounds the eye. At a glance, many casual observers would assume this is a gold timepiece and then with a closer look would realize it is not. What is it then? In emblematic De Bethune fashion, self-proclaimed “alchemists” of watchmaking, the Yellow Submarine is in fact oxidized titanium. That is right, the brand naturally draws this incredible yellow out of the titanium and then hand polishes for the shine. On the level of aesthetics, the end product is spectacular, placing the Yellow Submarine in its own distinct place within the “sports watch” category.
On the level of technical innovation, the Yellow Submarine doesn’t miss either. Without doubt, the technically interesting and innovative aspect of this timepiece is a fully mechanical LED lighting system. A pusher at 6 o’clock activates LED lights on the dial with SuperLuminova developed in collaboration with Black Badger’s James Thompson. The light is exclusively derived from the energy stored in the movement’s twin barrels. Fittingly, this is an uncommon innovation for the unusual crossover of ultra high-end watchmaking with sports watch durability. Overall, the Yellow Submarine is everything a collector could want in a fine timepiece without any of the worry over everyday wear and tear...and yes even for those recreational deep (or shallow) water excursions!
Shown here a recently delivered example on a black rubber strap.
The Details
DB28 GS Yellow Submarine
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Power reserve indication between 9 and 10 o'clock, unidirectional rotating bezel, manual dial
Dial:
- Satin-brushed and yellow grade 5 titanium minutes dial with cut-out arabic numerals.
- Rotating bezel crystal with metallised minutes ring.
- Power reserve indicator between 9 and 10 o'clock
Hands: Yellow titanium hours and minutes hand with isnerts, luminescent tip - yellow titanium sandblasted by hand.
Case: Black Zirconium case middle with "microlight"decoration, yellow brushed grade 5 titanium caseback and bezel.
Dimensions: Diameter 44mm - Thickness 12.8mm
Attachments: Floating lugs in yellow brushed grade 5 titanium (De Bethune Patent 2006)
Glass: Sapphire crystal, 1800 Vickers hardness with double anti-reflective treatment.
Back: Open in yellow brushed grade 5 titanium.
Strap: Extra-supple alligator leather, alligator lining.
Movement: Mechanical Hand Wound
Power reserve: 6 Days
Features:
- Self-regulating twin barrel De Bethune Innovation (2004)
- Titanium balance wheel with white gold inserts
- "De Bethune" Balance-spring with flat terminal curve
- Silicon Escape wheel
- Triple pare-chute shock-absorbing system.
- Dial lighting produced by an entirely mechanical means working on the dynamo principle powered by a twin barrel and manually controlled via a pusher.