De Bethune’s new DB28GS ‘JPS’ watch takes inspiration from the Black and Gold color theme of John Player Special Team Lotus formula 1 cars of the 1970s.
Lotus JPS cars were also the first single-seaters to take full advantage of the major technological advances of the time, as well as research aerodynamics, and the first computer-assisted developments.
Fearsome and severe black paired with glorious gleaming gold made JPS a 1970s benchmark from which De Bethune drew inspiration for a new version of its DB28GS ‘JPS’ sports watch.
Just as the engineers of the F1 teams were looking to improve the aerodynamics of their single-seaters (and to increase the suction effect of the cars on the track), Denis Flageollet and his team also worked on improving the performance of the movement’s regulating organs. This notably involved enhancing the aerodynamics of the balance by pursuing the exact opposite objective of motor-racing in seeking to eliminate the suction effect that pushes it towards the mainplate.
In Formula 1 cars, DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coatings reduce the friction of metal parts in their engines and thus improve performance. Denis Flageollet and his team have worked on the fantastic properties of DLC coating on hardened steel to improve the durability of watches’ black floating lugs and bezels.
Based on the observation that a sports watch must offer perfect legibility in all kinds of weather and every possible situation, the movement was developed from the outset in such a way as to light up the dial and movement from the inside. A white light source is thus produced by an entirely mechanical means that works on a dynamo-inspired principle.
A pusher at 6 o’clock serves to provide light on demand thanks to a gear train driven by the double barrel. By means of an original miniature dynamo, this gear train supplies the energy necessary to light up the face of the watch without affecting its operation and the energy necessary for the smooth running of its movement.
Measuring 44 mm in diameter and water-resistant to 105 metres (10 ATM), the DB28GS ‘JPS’ is no exception to the De Bethune rule of wearer comfort.
It owes this exceptional comfort to the combination of black zirconium and stainless steel; the softness of its hand-polished finish; the 12 o’clock position of its crown; and above all to the presence of the patented floating lug system with their famous cone-shaped tips that are more pro-eminent than ever, comprising polished yellow grade 5 titanium inserts recalling the side of the case. The result is a construction that adapts particularly well to the size of each wrist and the way it moves.
Technical details
Model name: DB28GS JPS
Reference: DB28GSV2JPS
Functions
Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Power reserve indication between 9 and 10 o’clock, unidirectional rotating bezel, manual dial lighting
Movement
DB2080
Type: Mechanical hand-wound movement
Adjustment: Winding and setting the time by means of the crown (2 positions), push button at 6 o’clock to activate the lightening
Technical features of calibre DB2080
Number of parts: 400
Jewelling: 51 jewels
Diameter: 30 mm
Power reserve: 5 days, ensured by a self-regulating twin barrel- De Bethune Innovation (2004)
Titanium balance wheel with white gold inserts, optimised 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
Triple pare-chute shock-absorbing system – De Bethune Innovation (2005)
Dial lighting produced by an entirely mechanical means working on the dynamo principle powered by a twin barrel and manually controlled via a pusher – De Bethune Innovation (2019)
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour
Adornment: Mirror- yellow polished grade 5 titanium motion-work bridge
Plate and barrel bridge covers in black hand-smoothed grade 5 titanium and adorned with “Microlight engraving” – De Bethune Innovation (2007)
Hand-snailed barrels
Hand-polished and chamfered steel parts
Dial
Black Satin-brushed grade 5 titanium minutes dial with cut-out Arabic numerals
Black titanium hours and minutes hands with black polished steel insert and second yellow steel insert, luminescent tip
Polished steel seconds hand with luminescent tip
Power-reserve indicator between 9 and 10 o’clock
Bezel
Rotating bezel crystal with metallised minutes ring
Case
Case material: Black zirconium case middle with “Microlight” decoration, black brushed and polished harden stainless steel caseback and bezel
Case diameter: 44 mm
Case thickness: 12.8 mm
Lugs: Floating lugs in black brushed harden stainless steel with yellow polished grade 5 titanium insert – De Bethune Patent (2006)
Crystal: In sapphire crystal (1800 Vickers hardness) with double anti-reflective coating
Case back: open in black polished harden stainless steel
Water resistance: 10 ATM
Strap
Natural rubber strap + 1 canvas / leather strap
Buckle: Folding clasp in black brushed harden stainless steel
Edition
Limited edition of 50 pieces
