Former New York Giants legend Michael Strahan recently made a bold fashion statement with his choice of timepiece. Attending the New York Knicks versus Oklahoma City Thunder game at Madison Square Garden, Strahan sported an eye-catching De Bethune watch.
Dating back to 2018, the DB28 Kind Of Blue Zirconium timepiece can be seen as a pioneer in the vibrant dial trend. While watchmakers have long favored blue dials, its popularity surged with notable releases from Rolex, Patek Philippe, and others, including the iconic Tiffany Blue Nautilus in 2021. However, De Bethune’s approach with the DB28 goes beyond just the dial.
With its 42.6 mm zirconium case, nearly every metal component of the watch boasts a striking blue hue, achieved through hand-flame-bluing titanium, a natural process also used for blue screws. This distinctive shade has become synonymous with De Bethune, particularly in its “Kind of Blue” series.
The standout feature of the watch is its blued titanium dial, featuring a unique triangular bridge shape reminiscent of the Star Trek communicator badge. Beneath the sapphire crystal, precision is evident with a performance indicator positioned between 2 and 3 o’clock, and a spherical moon-phase indicator at 6 o’clock, guaranteed to be off by only a day once every 122 years.
Powering the timepiece is the in-house Caliber DB2115V4, a hand-wound mechanical movement comprising 279 parts, some of which are intricately decorated. This movement also boasts a commendable six-day power reserve.
De Bethune has produced only 10 examples of this particular reference (DB28BZN) since 2018, one of which now adorns Strahan’s wrist. Notably, Strahan, known for his affinity for remarkable timepieces, previously wore a Patek Philippe Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph 5990/1R-001 to the 2023 Super Bowl, showcasing his embrace of the colorful dial trend.
