Denis Flageollet is a master. Through his brand, De Bethune, he offers the world timepieces that are almost otherworldly, deeply rooted in horological history, but at the same time pushing the boundaries of technique and innovation. To hold a De Bethune in your hand is unlike the experience you’ll have with any other brand: his creations feel alive, full of energy and light, imparting a feeling of balance and calm.

A handful of years ago, I was introduced to De Bethune through seeing its watch on the wrist of “Iron Man” Robert Downey Jr. during a press tour for an Avengers movie. I was struck by it, intrigued. So I started to research and learn about the brand, and research became looking for a way to acquire one. But they were out of reach, especially that particular watch, the DB28 Tourbillon. It was something I’d have to admire from afar, as many of us do in this wild world of collecting. I spent the next five years thinking and reading about them, but it was always from a distance.

Fast forward to October of 2023, and I was in Montecito, California, to attend the Rexhep Rexhepi × Louis Vuitton collaboration unveiling event. I was with Revolution founder Wei Koh when this very handsome and friendly gentleman came up and introduced himself. It was Justin Reis from WatchBox, now known as The 1916 Company and part owners of De Bethune. We had a great conversation, and it turned out we had a lot of mutual friends. He was wearing a De Bethune watch, and a couple of friends with him were also wearing them. It was the first time I had ever actually seen one in person, and I got very excited.

Now, I’ve worn watches that are on the larger side, such as the 44mm Laurent Ferrier Grand Sport Tourbillon, but one of the things that had given me pause was De Bethune’s case dimensions. When I expressed this to Justin, he hinted at some new things in the pipeline that I would be excited about. But I’d have to wait for its Watches and Wonders 2024 releases in the spring.

Justin and I became fast friends. We kept in touch, spent time together in my studio, and started to develop a real friendship. And I also kept asking Wei about De Bethune. I knew that he owns one, had had others, and is a big fan. I went back and rewatched the videos Wei had done at the De Bethune manufacture. I got myself very worked up and excited.

Then, a few weeks before Watches and Wonders, I was invited by Justin and De Bethune CEO Pierre Jacques to a dinner in Los Angeles for some collectors. I was expecting it to be a big affair with watches in cases you couldn’t actually try on, but I was just excited to see Justin. It turned out to be a very intimate dinner in a private room of a restaurant with only about 15 of us in the room, including brand people, so only about eight potential clients. But they pulled no stops, with a big spread of food, and the company was great.

Pierre spoke about what was coming, and then they brought out a couple of trays to unveil the watches. He showed us the Kind of Grande Complication first. It was beautiful and mesmerizing, but also USD 400,000, so not something that I could reach for — but beautiful, nonetheless. They then pulled out the DB28xs Purple Rain. Justin was sitting to my right as the watch came around the table to me, and I just wouldn’t let it go.

I simply kept it on my wrist, kept talking. At 38.7mm, it was smaller than other DB28 watches, and just right for my wrist. It was a couple hours that I spent with this watch, and I was blown away by it: the finishing, the color, the lugs, the dial. I could go on for days about how amazing it all is.

So I threw my hat in the ring that night to see about acquiring one of the 25 examples produced. “Don’t forget about me, please,” I’d pester them like crazy, wondering if it was possible, “I’d really love to get this watch.” Then, Watches and Wonders came around and it was unveiled. It wasn’t getting the attention that stuff like the new Rolexes and Pateks were getting, but there were people who were very enthusiastic about it. The articles I was reading about the Purple Rain really made me smile, as I could tell that those who had chosen to write about it genuinely got it. Wei Koh actually did a quick on-the-wrist video for Revolution and I watched that about 100 times just to catch different glimpses of the watch.

A few days after the launch, I was told one would be coming my way. I didn’t know how long the wait would be, but it turned out not to be too long. Ten days later, Justin came for a visit to my home and brought me my Purple Rain. Now, people who know me know that I change my watch at least three times a day. The Purple Rain? I haven’t taken it off my wrist since its arrival. To have had this watch on my wrist for three weeks straight speaks volumes about how in love with it I am. The Purple Rain is unlike any watch I’ve ever owned. It has an energy as though it was made just for me. There are many amazing watches out there, but this Purple Rain, for me, is top-of-the-heap.