De Bethune has unveiled the DW5 Al-Amal for the ‘Mavericks of Time’ exhibition held in Dubai at the Museum of the Future (MOTF) during 9th and 10th November. ‘Mavericks of Time’ is a new exhibition created by Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons to showcase and celebrate Swiss independent watchmaking. Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons is the leading luxury watch and jewellery retailer in the Middle East. ‘Mavericks of Time’ debuted in Abu Dhabi during 2nd and 3rd November.
The DW5 Al-Amal is based on De Bethune’s Dream Watch 5 that was introduced in 2014. The DW5 Al-Amal is a “time capsule bearing Love: a universal message of hope for future generations.” The motif on its case is inspired by the “illuminated calligraphic motifs” on the exterior façade of the MOTF. “Six distinct Arabic calligraphies of the word ‘Love,’ “ are engraved on its titanium case.
Left: Museum of the Future (MOTF). Right: DW5 Al-Amal’s case engravings are inspired by the motifs on the exterior facade of the MOTF.
“Whether friendly, passionate, carnal, spiritual or unconditional, love in Arabic is pronounced and calligraphed in different ways depending on the nuance it adopts. Among the many Arabic words that express this feeling, those evoking ‘Al-Amal’ friendship, desire, the heart, love, passion and faith have been carefully selected. These calligraphies pay tribute to an art that elegantly and flowingly transcends mere writing, making words veritable channels of beauty and emotion.”
Key Features of the De Bethune DW5 Al-Amal
“The Dream Watch collection is one of De Bethune’s mainstays, designed to push the technical and aesthetic boundaries of the wristwatch. As a concept watch, the DW5 allows me to go beyond simple watchmaking. Like a sculpture, the experimental work carried out on titanium is part of an artistic approach inspired by philosophical and personal reflections.” – Denis Flageollet, Co-Founder, Master Watchmaker and Creative Talent at De Bethune.
Functions, Dial and Operation
Left: Jumping-hour and analogue minutes indicator. Right: Spherical moon-phase indicator.
Jumping-hour – displayed through an aperture at 3 o’clock.
Analogue minutes – indicated by a dragging rotating disc at 3 o’clock (on the right of the jumping-hour aperture.)
Spherical moon-phase indicator made from palladium and flamed blued-steel.
Dial is the blued grade-5 titanium frame surrounding the jumping-hour aperture and moon-phase indicator.
Crown at 3 o’clock (on the right of case) is for winding, moon-phase adjustment, and setting the time. 3 positions.
Movement
Image: Aperture on caseback displays the titanium balance wheel with white gold inserts and “De Bethune” balance-spring with flat terminal curve.
Powered by DB2144V2, a mechanical hand-wound movement designed, developed, and crafted by De Bethune. It drives the jumping-hours, analogue minutes, and spherical moon-phase indicator.
Diameter: 30 mm.
Parts: 320. Jewels: 32.
Frequency: 28,800 vph or 4 Hz.
Power reserve 5 days or 120 hours, “ensured by a self-regulating twin barrel.” De Bethune Innovation (2004).
Titanium balance wheel featuring white gold inserts, which is optimized for temperature differences and air penetration. De Bethune Patent (2016).
“De Bethune” balance-spring with flat terminal curve. De Bethune Patent (2006).
Silicon escape wheel.
Spherical moon-phase indicator has an accuracy of 1 lunar day every 1112 years. De Bethune Patent (2004).
Triple para-chute shock-absorbing system. De Bethune Innovation (2005).
Movement features extensive hand-finishing and decoration.
Case, Strap and Buckle
Image: Crown is on far right of case.
Case is made from mirror-polished grade 5 titanium.
It features “5-axis mechanical engravings representing six Arabic calligraphies meaning: friendship, desire, heart, love, passion and faith.”
Case diameter: Length 58 mm and Width 47 mm.
Case thickness: 16 mm.
Dial features a hard-mineral crystal (1800 Vickers hardness) with anti-reflective coating on both sides.
Closed caseback is made from mirror-polished grade 5 titanium and screwed to the case. An aperture displays the titanium balance wheel with white gold inserts and “De Bethune” balance-spring with flat terminal curve, and features a hard-mineral crystal (1800 Vickers hardness) with anti-reflective coating on both sides.
Crown is made from mirror-polished and microblasted grade 5 titanium. It features a blue sapphire cabochon on its tip.
Water resistant up to 3 ATM or 30 metres.
Watch comes with an extra-supple alligator leather strap with alligator lining. It is attached to a pin buckle made from mirror-polished grade 5 titanium.
Our Thoughts
Image: Haute horology movement of the highest level. Futuristic case. Respect for Arabic culture. A timeless masterpiece.
The DW5 Al-Amal features a haute horology movement of the highest level, with 2 De Bethune Innovations and 3 De Bethune Patents. It features a jumping-hour mechanism (24 jumps a day, yet manages to retain a 5-day power reserve), and a spherical moon phase indicator (deviation of 1 lunar day every 1112 years). This is the kind of magical watchmaking De Bethune is renowned for.
Its futuristic case resembles a spaceship. The engravings on its case convey a message of love and highlights the brand’s respect for Arabic culture.
The DW5 Al-Amal is a timeless horological masterpiece.
Additional Details
Name: De Bethune DW5 Al-Amal
Reference: DW5HOB
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF): 240,000
Limited to one piece.
Please contact the De Bethune website and Instagram page for further information.
In Dubai, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons is an Authorised Retailer for the brand.
We featured the De Bethune DB25GMT Starry Varius in September. Please read here.
