By Jovan Krstevski
La Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud SA is a relative new created Haute Horlogerie brand from the Chopard group, to bring back to life the memory of Ferdinand Berthoud and restore this substantial watchmaking legacy.
Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of the Chopard Group and President of Ferdinand Berthoud
The result of long and careful consideration, this new horological journey began to take shape in almost ten years ago, as Karl-Friedrich Scheufele explains: “In acquiring La Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud in 2006, I wanted to be sure that one day a watch bearing this name would be worthy of the great master horologist who inspired it”. Ferdinand Berthoud will be offering exceptional timepieces only in exclusive production runs.
The first timepiece presented by the new high-end manufacture is the Chronométrie FB 1 which features a tourbillon with central seconds and an innovative suspended fusée–chain regulating system.
The fusée and chain transmission regulating system
The fusée and chain transmission regulating mechanism ensures that the driving force remains stable throughout the duration of the power reserve which in gives an exceptional precision to the timepiece.
As Ferdinand Berthoud explained in his Essai sur l’horlogerie in 1763, “the characteristic of a fusée is to help maintaining an even action of the spring on the gear train thanks to the changing size of the radius building the spiral.”
The octagonal 44mm case is offered in either white gold with titanium accents or rose gold and black ceramic and comes with four lateral glare-proofed sapphire portholes. This gives the watch a really modern and distinctive feel. Details like the 18K blued gold hour, minute and power-reserve hands; blued bronze seconds hand gives the watch a cohesive design and from what I’ve heard the finishing is absolutely first rate.
Visually the Chronométrie FB 1 delivers a very bold and impressive statement. What makes this timepiece so impressive is the mechanical hand-wound movement comprising more than 1,120 components including the fusée and chain mechanism entirely designed, developed and produced in-house.
Beneath the stylish façade lies the in-house manufacture developed manual-winding movement. The Caliber FB-T.FC comprises 46-jewels and oscillates at a low-frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour or 3Hz. This entire splendor is visible through the sapphire crystal exhibition case back. The timepiece also has a power reserve of 53-hours and is water-resistant to a depth of 30 meters. The Chronometrie FB 1 is attached to a sturdy black leather strap with matching folding clasp or buckle. 50 pieces of each version, available worldwide, through select points of sale, and will go for a hefty price tag of €220,000($245,600).
For more info, please visit ferdinandberthoud.ch
JOVAN KRSTEVSKI – FOUNDER, PROPRIETOR & EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Watch collector, aficionado and an Event profile in the Swedish nightlife. He launched Watchgeek back in 2011, which is now known as WristReview and is one of the most widely read watch blogs on the Web. He quotes ’WristReview is a site to help people find, explore, discover and enjoy wristwatches.’ His passion jump started in his early teens when he was given his first mid-range wristwatch which was an Omega Seamaster. Since then he has always been in love with wristwatches! Besides WristReview, he also writes for a number of publications. Read his articles here.
