Hello, today I would like to present the latest release from a brand I highly appreciate. It is the brand Ferdinand Berthoud, introducing this year the Chronomètre FB 2RES.2-1. Before going into detail about this watch, let me introduce you to the name behind this brand.
Ferdinand Berthoud was a Master Watchmaker born in Switzerland in 1727. He began his career in 1753. A skilled builder, audacious and tenacious inventor, Ferdinand Berthoud was one of the pillars of progress in watchmaking in the 18th century. Beyond his career, marked by an accumulation of titles, testimonies, and privileges at the court of King Louis XV of France, a success achieved notably for his marine chronometers, the watchmaker Berthoud was above all a man eager for knowledge and keen to share it with as many people as possible.
In memory of this emblematic figure, the house of Chopard and its co-president Karl-Friedrich Scheufele created Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud in 2015 to revive and honor the work of this historical watchmaker. Based in Fleurier, Switzerland, the brand unveiled its first timepiece the same year – the Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud FB1, which won the Aiguille d’Or in 2016 at the GPHG (Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève). This model aimed to present a modern vision of the creations Berthoud might have made if he were still alive today, according to the company.
In this new model, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele highlights the inspiration behind the FB RES collection (Remontoir d’Égalité Squelette), drawing from a historical clock in the House’s museum. The modern interpretation pays homage to the past while adopting contemporary craftsmanship and customization options, reflecting the House’s commitment to offering collectors unique and personalized timepieces. Let’s look at the watch.
What are the features of the Ferdinand Berthoud Chronomètre FB 2RES.2-1?
Case
The Ferdinand Berthoud Chronomètre FB 2RES.2-1 features a round-shaped case in 18-carat Rose Gold that exudes stature. With a diameter of 44 mm and a thickness of 14.30 mm, this perfectly finished case is quite prominent due to the complexity of its 1200-component movement.
Dial
The Ferdinand Berthoud Chronomètre FB 2RES.2-1 is adorned with a satin anthracite dial. It features a technical combination of bridges and plates and an opening extending from 3 o’clock to 6 o’clock, revealing three bridges converging towards the center of the dial. This geometry is directly inspired by a skeletonized table clock made by Ferdinand Berthoud around 1775. The similarity does not stop there, as this clock, displaying hours, minutes, seconds, the age of the Moon, the calendar, and zodiac signs, was also equipped with a remontoir d’égalité.
Movement
The Ferdinand Berthoud Chronomètre FB 2RES.2-1 houses the caliber FB-RES.FC, featuring a double regulation system combining a fusée-chain transmission and a one-second remontoir. This complication ensures a constant energy flow to the escapement, allowing precise timekeeping. The large central second hand, driven by the remontoir, moves in one-second intervals, demonstrating the watch’s complex mechanical operation.
With a power reserve and 1200 components, this movement showcases manual beveling of components, highlighting meticulous attention to detail. Indeed, each wheel, bridge, and screw is meticulously finished by hand. Combined, all the angles of the wheels and their bridges, as well as those revealed at the heart of the power reserve display at 9 o’clock, represent over 2 linear meters of hand-filed and polished work.
Strap
The Ferdinand Berthoud Chronomètre FB 2RES.2-1 comes with a high-quality black alligator strap with a rose gold deployant buckle.
How much does the Ferdinand Berthoud Chronomètre FB 2RES.2-1?
The Ferdinand Berthoud Chronomètre FB 2RES.2-1 is limited to a total production of 38 movements. This model is offered at a public price of €230,840 (including 20% VAT).
Ferdinand Berthoud Chronomètre FB 2RES.2-1: A watch inspired by a skeletonized table clock from 1775
The Ferdinand Berthoud Chronomètre FB 2RES.2-1 is a piece of very high standing that will delight enthusiasts looking for a chic watch with an incredible mechanism to admire for its beauty and technicality.
Additionally, this model offers customization options for its owner to create unique variations of the watch. Indeed, it is possible to choose the shape (round or octagonal), the material (steel, titanium, ceramized titanium, and white, yellow, or rose 18-carat gold), the color of the rehaut, the dial, and the associated finishes (sanded or satin). In total, over 200 variations are possible.
I would like to greatly thank Marisa for introducing me to the world of this very confidential brand and this piece which is truly a success.
Ferdinand Berthoud Chronomètre FB 2RES.2-1 – Watch Specifications
- Brand: Ferdinand Berthoud
- Model: Chronomètre FB 2RES.2-1
- Case Material: Ethical 18-Carat Rose Gold
- Dial: Anthracite Satin-Brushed Openworked Nickel Silver Plate
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Deadbeat Seconds, Power Reserve Indicator
- Movement: In-House FB-RES.FC, Constant Force with Fusee-and-Chain Transmission and a one-second Remontoire Device, Mechanical Hand-Wound, 18’000vph frequency (2.5Hz), 58 jewels and 1200 parts
- Power Reserve: 50 hours
- Water Resistance: 3 ATM
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Caseback: Sapphire
- Case Dimension: 44 mm (Diameter) × 14.30 mm (Thickness)
- Strap: Black Alligator with Ethical 18-Carat Rose Gold Folding Clasp
- Availability: Limited edition of 38 pieces
- Retail Price: 230’840€ (Including 20% VAT)
Did you know this high-end watch brand? What do you think of this very confidential brand? Let me know what you think in the comments.
For more information about Ferdinand Berthoud, click here.
