Using Titanium Internally in Watches Puts New Watchmaker on the Map

Swiss watchmaker De Bethune is perhaps one of watchmakings best kept secrets known for his bold use of titanium where no watchmaker has used it before. As a newcomer, De Bethune has already developed nine different calibers and has made a name for the brand by being known for continuous innovation to the watchmaking practice, yet still maintaining tremendous respect for the practice's horological traditions. The company innovates with lighter materials, such as titanium, in areas of the watch that other's have ignored and used the "traditional" materials

Wei Koh, the managing editor and co-founder of Revolution, an international watch magazine, describes the brand as "probably the best-kept secret in high watchmaking" explaining that "no other brand has committed themselves to more groundbreaking innovation regarding basic chronometry and functional innovation than De Bethune."

One innovation that stands out with De Bethune is the company's commitment to increasing the use of titanium in watch movements. According to Mr. Flageollet, former professor at the watchmaker's school in Le Locle (Switzerland), "Titanium is a very interesting material for watchmaking. . . It's extremely light, yet resistant, and it is corrosion-resistant. But while several houses use titanium for their cases, the metal is barely used internally."

In essence, using titanium for the tiny components inside the watch that create the movement requires tremendous research and development for the watchmaker- something that De Bethune does not shy away from.

What De Bethune has managed to create with the company's innovated and daring uses of titanium internally in watches is perhaps the lightest balance wheels in the world. According to Mr. Zanetta, founder of De Bethune, "It has the highest inertia system, which absorbs changes in position and shocks much better than any other system."

The practice of watch-making and clock making has been around for centuries and it makes you wonder why no other legendary swiss watchmaker has attempted these bold moves. Given that De Bethune is a newcomer to the watchmaking industry, as early as 2002, the company brought to the market a very fresh perspective on the entire industry and a state of mind that long time watch makers had left behind decades ago.

The moral of the story is this: do not shy away from using new and better materials in different applications like De Bethune did by incorporating titanium into the gears of the watch. Because of his dedication and interest in using titanium where it could be used, he now can claim that he has created perhaps the lightest watch dials in the world. Thus, a little research can go a long way and put your brand and product on the map.

Read more about the story in the New York Times and learn more about De Bethune here.