De Bethune’s DB28xs Aérolite Has an Iridescent Guilloche Meteorite Dial

We love avant-garde ultra-high-end watchmakers here at Luxury Bazaar, so De Bethune is well liked around these parts. The brand has been making some exceptional and unusual-looking watches since 2002, and even though they’re not exactly “independent” anymore (Watchbox bought a majority stake in 2021), they’re still making cool innovations. The latest example of this is the DB28xs Aérolite, unveiled during Geneva Watch Days 2024. The iridescent effect of its guilloché meteorite dial is striking. Here’s what we know about the De Bethune DB28xs Aérolite.

First Thoughts on the De Bethune DB28xs Aérolite

The De Bethune DB28 family is arguably their “flagship” line, and their most recognizable. The patented Batwing-esque “floating lugs” immediately catch the eye. The first DB28 arrived in 2010 with a 42.6mm diameter, and the smaller DB28xs debuted in 2023 at just under 39mm. The Aérolite is the third DB28xs variant, following the Starry Seas and Purple Rain.

Although the dial is the star of the show, it’s worth mentioning that the case is made of anthracite zirconium. It’s not the first time De Bethune has used this material, but it’s very unusual in watchmaking. Interesting exotic materials were a popular theme among releases at Geneva Watch Days 2024. And although it’s a time-only movement, it’s packing a six-day power reserve.

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The Dial

De Bethune is no stranger to exotic dials. The DB25 Starry Varius Aérolite features a shiny, interesting meteorite dial. The DB28xs Starry Seas, meanwhile, showcases the brand’s “random guilloche” pattern. For 2024, the De Bethune DB28xs Aérolite combines both aesthetics. The dial is made from a piece of the Muonionalusta meteorite, and thermal oxidation is what turns it blue. Then it’s “speckled with delicate grey gold flakes” to enhance the iridescent effect. An anthracite ring around the dial marks the hours in Arabic numerals.

De Bethune DB28xs Aérolite Specs

Model	DB28xs Aérolite
Reference	DB28xsZM
Case Material	Anthracite zirconium
Case Diameter	38.7mm
Case Thickness	7.4mm
Movement	DB2005 calibre (8 beats per second, manual-wind)
Movement Functions	Hours, minutes
Power Reserve	6 days
Bracelet/Strap	Alligator strap
MSRP (Aug. 2024)	$120,000

Pricing and Availability

The DB28xsZM will be made in “limited annual production,” although De Bethune hasn’t specified an exact number. Typically, their annual output of each model is in the 1-2 digit range. The $120,000 retail price is pretty jaw-dropping for a two-hand watch, but De Bethune is among the most expensive watch brands in the world for a reason. In the race to make watches with increasingly exotic textured dials and obscure case materials, De Bethune has just made a major statement.

More on Exotic Watches:
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What is a Hyperwatch?
The Most Expensive Richard Mille Watches
Jacob & Co. Bugatti Tourbillon Watch Unleashed

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