Ferdinand Berthoud : Contemporary master chronometer-maker
Chronomètre FERDINAND BERTHOUD FB 1
CASE : 18k pink gold, black ceramic lug elements, sapphire crystal glass, lateral portholes and case back, water-resistant to 30m
DIMENSIONS : 44 x 13mm
MOUVEMENT : mechanical hand-wound Caliber FB-T.FC, constant force regulation, suspended fusee and chain transmission, tourbillon with direct-drive centre seconds hand, chronometer-certified by the COSC. Hours, minutes, seconds, 53h power reserve indicator
DIAL : black-coated brass, 18k gold hours, minutes and power reserve hands, bronze sweep-seconds hand
STRAP : double-side black alligator leather, 18K pink gold length-adjustable safety folding clasp
50-PIECE LIMITED AND NUMBERED EDITION
In restoring life to the name and watchmaking feats of Ferdinand Berthoud through a contemporary expression, Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud ushers the talent of this artisan chronometer-maker into a new creative era. Ferdinand Berthoud was granted the title of Master Watchmaker in Paris in 1753. He established himself as one of the most talented watchmaking engineers of his era with his remarkable accurate marine chronometers. These would enable France to vie with England for maritime supremacy, and earned their creator the position of “Master Clockmaker and Mechanic by appointment to the King and Navy” under the reign of Louis XV. The M.M. n°6 marine clock made in 1777 – now preserved in the Chopard L.U.CEUM museum in Fleurier – guided the creation of the new Ferdinand Berthoud models. The marine chronometer is equipped with a fusee and chain transmission-type constant-force movement, along with a superb pillar-type construction. The new Chronomètre Ferdinand Berthoud FB picks up the same structures geared towards reliability and chronometric precision, the fundamental qualities upheld by Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud.
ORIGINAL MECHANISM
The Chronomètre Ferdinand Berthoud FB 1 embodies a modern vision of the creations that the master might have made if he were alive today. The octagonal-shaped 44mm pink gold case features an architecture inspired by onboard chronometers. The movement is housed in a water-resistant container. The octagonal lines of the caseband are enhanced by lateral elements bearing four sapphire portholes enabling observers to admire the movement. The FB-T.FC caliber comprises more than 1,120 components. Entirely designed, developed and produced by and for Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud in Fleurier, it features a tourbillon with central seconds, a distinctive pillar-type structure, an innovative suspended fusee and chain type regulation device, as well as a mobile cone serving to display the power reserve. Each has been honored by a patent request, in eloquent tribute to the inventiveness of the master himself.
