A big naval watch of the 1770s was reduced to wristwatch size with a new interpretation of the same architecture. The legacy of the past has gained another dimension with new techniques.
In 1770, Ferdinand Berthoud was awarded the title of “Clockmaker and Mechanic by appointment to the French King and Navy” and produced high-end watches. Ferdinand Berthoud is celebrating this 250th anniversary by unveiling a new collection inspired by the Marine Clock No.6: the Chronomètre FB 2RE. However, only watch historians and collectors knew the name Ferdinand Berthoud until just five years ago.
Chopard’s co-chairman of the board, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, set out from the watches of Master Ferdinand Berthoud, whom he gathered over the years, to preserve the name and legacy of this master, and to open a new window in watchmaking. Investments and efforts gave a magnificent conclusion finally. Ferdinand Berthoud brand unveiled its first watch in 2015. FB 1 model won the grand prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie Awards in 2016. At the 2020 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), Ferdinand Berthoud won the “Chronomerty Watch Prize” with its FB 2RE.2 model.
The mechanism of FB 2RE.2 has three remarkable and rare complications: Fusee-and-chain transmission, Remontoir d’égalité (the constant-force mechanism) and Deadbeat seconds. The combination of these remarkable watch systems provides an exceptional chronometric performance and stability.
This new watch also reinterprets the architecture and design of the famous marine watch (Marine Clock No. 6). A large rectangular panoramic window appears at 10 o’clock along the case middle like previous models but unlike the previous hexagonal models, a round case structure was preferred.
