For Mexico, De Bethune is once again having fun in celebrating the Day of the Dead (Dia de Muertos) – De Bethune Cempasuchil II. Denis Flageollet makes no secret of the fact that since the release of the Kind-of-Two in 2020, he has revelled in surprising people with the multiple possibilities afforded by such a double-sided watch and is looking forward to receiving collectors’ requests for one-of-a-kind timepieces in order to play with these countless options!
To kick off this future festival of made-to-order Kind-of-Two watches, what more fun could Denis Flageollet have than getting down to work with his long-time accomplice – Swiss Art engraver Michèle Rothen – in order to demonstrate the watch’s full potential. Midway between engraving and micro-sculpture, Michèle’s engraving surpasses all existing standards. Her infinitely accurate work is backed by Swiss artistic talent recognised as among the very best.
A joyful and naughty depiction of death
For the “Cempasúchil II” reflecting a hint of mischief (and a touch of naughtiness!), they have jointly revived the characters featured in the DW5 Cempasúchil (presented in Mexico in 2020), this time by choosing the double-sided Kind-of-Two watch.
Its first dial is transformed into a dance floor for two Calaveras, indicating the hours and minutes. On the other side of the watch, a dedicated decor (usually hidden behind a secret cover) features a naughty depiction of our two Calaveras ‘in action’. Beneath a show of laughing ossuaries worthy of La Catrina, an array of cams, levers and are set into motion and bring the two characters to life as a surprising and fun treat for amused observers. Animated on demand by a highly complex mechanism (like a small automaton) by means of a button at 12 o’clock, the merry scene conveys a sense of gaiety and mischief… An even closer look reveals a little humorous touch from the two designers as it’s the “girl” taking the lead in this traditional Kamasutra position.
The entire engraving work on both dial sides is a nod to the brilliant Mexican engraver José Guadalupe Posada, an artist who made the dead dance in the late 19th century and already inspired Denis Flageollet and Michèle Rothen in 2020 when designing the DW5 Cempasúchil. With this new creation, they have once again picked the aesthetic codes and details of the work down by Posada, who has gained lasting renown for his genius in turning macabre art on its head and aligning it with the singular way Mexicans joyfully celebrate their dear departed. The titanium casing has been flame-blued and engraved with subtle gold inlays to bring light and a discreetly precious touch.
This one-of-a-kind creation thus perfectly demonstrates the versatile nature of the Kind-of-Two, which offers clients the possibility of ordering bespoke versions with their very own automaton mechanism, giving free rein to their imagination. This provides scope for all kinds of animations, including non-erotic ones, as well as different movement configurations. The beauty of this double-sided artwork thus reflects both mechanical and aesthetic perfection.
De Bethune Cempasuchil II
Name: Cempasuchil II
Reference: DBK2MA
Functions: Hours and minutes, Automaton
Movement: DB2080V2
Type: Mechanical hand-wound movement
Adjustment: Winding and setting the time, by means of the crown (2 positions)
Technical features of calibre DB2080V2
- Number of parts: 384
- Jewelling: 47 rubis
- Diameter: 30 mm
- Power reserve: 5 days, ensured by a self-regulating twin barrel – De Bethune Innovation (2004)
- Specificities:
- 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
- Animation of an automaton powered by the double barrels, under manual control pusher
- Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour
- Adornment: Steel parts polished and chamfered by hand
Single-sided display
- Display: Polished titanium hours and minutes hands
- Dial: Hand-engraved blued titanium dial with rose gold inserts
- Hours and minutes ring in titanium with blue engraved index
Reverse side display (automaton)
- Display: Hand-engraved white and yellow gold automaton
- Dial: Hand-engraved blued titanium dial with white and yellow gold inserts
Case and strap
- Case material: Polished grade 5 titanium
- Case diameter: 42,8 mm
- Case thickness: 11,4 mm
- Crown : at noon on the front side, at 6 o’clock on the reverse side, and integrated into the case
- Lugs: Polished grade 5 titanium floating lugs – De Bethune Patent (2006)
- With case turning mechanism that can be clearly positioned on the front or back side
- Crystal doubles-sides: In sapphire crystal (1800 Vickers hardness) with double anti-reflective coating
- Water resistance: 3 ATM
- Strap: Hand-sewn karung leather
- Buckle: Pin buckle in polished grade 5 titanium
