Former NFL star turned prominent broadcaster Michael Strahan caught attention as he sported a captivating timepiece from De Bethune while attending the New York Knicks versus Oklahoma City Thunder game at Madison Square Garden over the weekend.
The De Bethune DB28 Kind Of Blue Zirconium, introduced in 2018, stands out as a pioneering model in the realm of vibrant dial designs. While watchmakers have long favored blue hues, the trend gained widespread traction following notable releases by renowned brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe. (Who could overlook the arrival of the Tiffany Blue Nautilus in 2021?) Last year, De Bethune unveiled the DB2X8XP Kind of Blue, a fusion of its DB28XP and DB28 Kind of Blue models. Similar to its predecessor, the timepiece’s captivating blue hue extends beyond the dial.
With the exception of the 42.6 mm zirconium case, nearly every metallic component of the watch boasts a striking blue finish. De Bethune achieved this effect not through conventional PVD coating methods but by meticulously flame-bluing the titanium by hand—an entirely natural process also utilized by some watchmakers for blue screws. This distinctive shade has since become synonymous with the Swiss watchmaker and a hallmark of the “Kind of Blue” series.
The attention-grabbing blued titanium dial showcases a distinctive triangular bridge design reminiscent of the Star Trek communicator badge. Beneath the sapphire crystal, a performance indicator is positioned between 2 and 3 o’clock, while a spherical moon-phase indicator resides at 6 o’clock. According to De Bethune, the latter complication boasts exceptional precision, deviating by only a day once every 122 years.
Powering the timepiece is the in-house Caliber DB2115V4, a hand-wound mechanical movement comprising 279 intricately crafted parts, some of which feature meticulous hand-decoration with “Cotes De Bethune” and other intricate finishes. The movement also boasts an impressive six-day power reserve.
Since its introduction in 2018, De Bethune has produced just 10 examples of this reference (DB28BZN), one of which now graces Strahan’s wrist. The former footballer is no stranger to eye-catching wrist adornments, having previously sported a Patek Philippe Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph 5990/1R-001 at the 2023 Super Bowl. This six-figure sports watch features an 18-karat rose-gold case and a blue sunburst dial adorned with three complications. Strahan’s embrace of the colorful dial trend is evident.
