In support of the Only Watch biennial charity auction of unique timekeepers, two great independent watchmaking “Maisons” – De Bethune and Urwerk – joined their creative energies in bringing forth a timepiece that arouses curiosity, focuses attention and touches the senses. From the outside, a case that challenges established norms, fusing the design and function genetics of De Bethune and Urwerk with its floating lugs and the singular vibrancy of mirror polished titanium.
Under the hood and curved sapphire crystal, a mechanical universe which amazes us with the one-off URDB01 caliber jointly developed for this very special auction – the crown at 12 o’clock, spherical moon phase, and Urwerk’s signature time indication with the now-famous satellite window in an arc that evokes the sun’s curvature.
The collaboration
DE BETHUNE x URWERK is the story of four personalities, Denis Flageollet and Pierre Jacques at De Bethune, and Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei at Urwerk. A story of mutual respect and implicit trust. The meeting of two ultra-creative and independent watchmaking minds, linked by a longstanding friendship, to donate for auction a truly original and highly desirable timepiece in support of the fight against Duchenne muscular dystrophy. 1 + 1 = 3.
Moon Satellite For Only Watch 2019
Name: Moon Satellite for Only Watch 2019
Reference: OW19
Functions: Wandering hour satellite, Minutes, Spherical moon phase indication at 6 o’clock, Power reserve situated on the back
Movement: DB2105
Type: Mechanical hand-wound movement
Adjustment: Winding, setting the time and spherical moon phase adjustment by means of the crown (3 positions)
Technical features of calibre DBUR2105
Number of parts: 336
Jewelling: 37 jewels
Diameter: 30 mm
Power reserve: 4 days, ensured by a self-regulating twin barrel
Specificities: Hour satellite indication designed by URWERK with triple base plate in ARCAAP; satellite in aluminum mounted on Geneva crosses in beryllium bronze. Hand painted SuperLuminova index. Titanium balance wheel with white gold inserts, optimised for temperature differences and air penetration, “De Bethune” balance-spring with flat terminal curve, Silicon escape wheel, Spherical moon phase indication accurate to a degree of one lunar day every 122 years, Triple pare-chute shock-absorbing system
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour
Adornment: Concave plate covers and mirror-polished barrels bridge, Open worked and hand sailed barrels, Steel parts beveled and polished by hand
Case and strap
Case material: Polished grade 5 titanium
Case width: 43 mm
Case thickness: 13.3 mm
Lugs: Short or long floating lugs in polished grade 5 titanium
Crystal: In sapphire crystal (1800 Vickers hardness) with double anti-reflective coating
Case back: Screwed case back in grade 5 polished titanium, Sapphire crystal (1800 Vickers hardness) with double anti-reflective coating
Water resistance: 3 ATM
Strap: Extra-supple alligator leather, alligator lining
Buckle: Pin buckle in polished grade 5 titanium
