Ferdinand Berthoud is undeniably one of the greatest names in watchmaking. Based in Paris he was named Horologist-Mechanic to the French navy by King Louis XV. In 2015, the Ferdinand Berthoud brand was re-established and acquired by Chopard spearheaded by Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and his team with an aim to manifest the legacy of one of the greatest horologists in history.

The present Chronomètre FB 1R.6-1 is a horological gem, merging together a technical prowess with a contemporary design.

The watch is inspired by Berthoud’s Marine Clock N°7 from 1767 with a regulator type display. The dial features three openings: one for the hours (at 2 o’clock), another for the minutes (at 12 o’clock) and a third for the power reserve (at 10 o’clock). Whereas the seconds are indicated with a centrally mounted hand.

The FB-T.FC.R caliber beating within has a pillar-type architecture and features a direct-drive centre seconds tourbillon whose constant force is provided by a fusée-and-chain transmission mechanism incorporating a satellite differential gear and a Maltese Cross stopwork device. The chain connecting the fusée and barrel is a feat of micro engineering and comprises of 474 steel links of a total length of 280mm.

The octagonal shaped case is made of a new material called carburised stainless steel, a steel whose molecular structure has been reinforced by a thermochemical process offering the surface unprecedented hardness.

The FB 1R.6 was made in a limited edition of 20 pieces and the present example bears the ultra coveted number 1.