De Bethune is an independent Swiss watch manufacturer located at L’Auberson, in the Jura mountain pastures of the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. Here, some 30 employees, including watchmakers, engineers, developer-designers, micromechanical engineers, polishers and decorators focus firmly on the research and development of technical and aesthetic innovations in the spirit of the great 18th century master watchmakers.
Tourbillons, perpetual calendars, chronometers, deadbeat seconds, spherical moons, bridges, wheels, pallet-levers, balance wheels, pinions, balance springs and screws as well as cases, dials, floating lugs and hands... Each component is individually designed and crafted with meticulous attention to the slightest detail, including the traditional “Côtes De Bethune” and Microlight engraving.
The brand designs, develops and produces all its timepieces within its own Manufacture. Since its foundation,

De Bethune has developed no fewer than 28 calibres, presented some 30 world premieres and registered a large number of patents as well as producing 150 one-off pieces.
De Bethune has received the highest distinctions awarded by the watch industry all over the world, including the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix for the best watch of the year.
Today, Denis Flageollet, co-founder of the brand and master watchmaker, together with CEO Pierre Jacques, are spearheading the future of the company. The pure style, clean lines and delicacy of the cases represent the inimitable hallmark of De Bethune creations.
De Bethune’s timepieces can be seen worldwide in our 25 exclusive points of sale and in our showroom in the heart of Geneva’s old city, in a refined, yet welcoming, contemporary setting that wholly embodies the spirit of De Bethune.

PIERRE JACQUES

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Swiss but Born in Brussels on December 8th, 1967, Pierre Jacques holds a Master¹s Degree in “International Relations”.  In the year 2000 he founded the quaterly magazine GMT, together with Brice Lechevalier, that has since become an international reference publication in the field of fine watchmaking. In 2005, the city of Geneva made him responsible for the "Cowparade", an open-air exhibition of 80 real-size cows, each decorated by an artist. In January 2010, he joined Les Ambassadeurs Geneve as Branch Manager, and also headed the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix as director of the organising company. Since January 2011, Pierre Jacques is the CEO of De Bethune, and became in December 2017 the new President and shareholder of the Manufacture De Bethune. Together with Denis Flageollet, they form an effective team that is propelling De Bethune and its consistently modern creations towards an even brighter future.

DENIS FLAGEOLLET

MASTER WATCHMAKER & CREATIVE TALENT

Denis is the son, grandson and great-grandson of watchmakers. Having majored in science at secondary school in France, he went to Switzerland to study watchmaking and micro-engineering. He then completed his training by joining the “Musée du Locle” as a technician in antique watchmaking. In 1989 he co-founded the THA society with François-Paul Journe. During these twelve years developing THA, he set up the production workshops, handled technical management, and headed the R&D department. In 2002 he co-founded De Bethune. He has fully embodied De Bethune’s deeply rooted philosophy of combining classic watchmaking skill and craftsmanship with a contemporary technical process, enabling him to leverage modern CAD and CNC technologies. His work with De Bethune has been rewarded by two national prizes, 15 international prizes, and is research has resulted in eight patents and two registered designs. Today, in building a training course on “Mécanique d’Art,” his aims is to pass on his experience and knowledge to watch enthusiasts and the up-and-coming generation of watchmakers.