Ferdinand Berthoud Chronomètre FB 2RES Collection
The Chronomètre FB RES moves away from traditional dials, adopting a design with technical bridges and mainplates inspired by a circa 1775 skeletonized clock by Ferdinand Berthoud. Share
Four years back, Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud revealed the Chronomètre FB 2RE, a landmark series showcasing the brand’s innovative second movement. This movement, notable for its fusee-and-chain transmission paired with a one-second remontoire mechanism, garnered numerous accolades. With the unveiling of the Chronomètre FB RES, this movement’s intricacies are further showcased through customizable bridges and mainplate designs, offering a glimpse into the sophisticated mechanics at play.
The unveiling of the Chronomètre FB 2RE in 2020 marked a pivotal moment for the Maison. It introduced the first round case and a three central hands display alongside pioneering a double regulation system. This system marries the traditional fusee-and-chain mechanism with a one-second “remontoir d’égalité,” enhancing the timepiece’s accuracy and reliability.
The latest iteration of this movement, embodied in the Chronomètre FB RES, sports a design overhaul aimed at accentuating its complex workings. Moving away from the conventional domed Grand Feu enamel dial, the new design features a blend of bridges and mainplate, alongside an expansive opening from 3 to 6 o’clock.
This arrangement uncovers a trio of bridges converging at the dial centre, mirroring the design of a skeletonized table clock crafted by Ferdinand Berthoud around 1775. This historical piece, which also featured a remontoir d’égalité, showcased hours, minutes, seconds, lunar phases, a calendar, and zodiac signs. It remains a celebrated artefact within the Maison’s legacy, presently preserved at the Ferdinand Berthoud Museum in Fleurier.
The Chronomètre FB RES is a spectacle of craftsmanship, evident from the meticulous finishing process in every hand-decorated wheel, bridge, and screw. The cumulative effort of filing and polishing over two meters of angles by hand enhances the allure of the FB RES model, which stands as a modern interpretation of the “Remontoir d’Égalité Squelette.”
In an ambitious endeavour, thirty-eight movements will see production, each open to extensive customization. From the case’s shape and material to the dial’s colour and finishes, enthusiasts have over 200 variations at their disposal through an online configurator. This initiative allows for personalization previously unseen in Ferdinand Berthoud creations, including the novel option of encasing a remontoire-equipped calibre within an octagonal frame.
“We are fortunate to have in our Fleurier Museum this clock made in 1775 by Ferdinand Berthoud, which reveals its movement, including a “ remontoir d’égalité” ”, says Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, President of Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud. “Imagining a modern interpretation of this exceptional work seemed a quite logical step. This gave rise to the idea behind the FB RES collection: a skeletonised, more technical version of our own Calibre FB-RE.FC with a one-second remontoire mechanism.”
At its core, the Calibre FB-RES.FC powers the Chronomètre FB RES, delivering unmatched precision through its fusee-and-chain and one-second remontoire mechanisms. This complex system ensures a steady flow of energy to the escapement, with a spring nestled between the barrel and escapement regulating this transfer. The remontoire releases energy in one-second intervals, propelling the large central second’s hand in distinctive jumps. This serves as a true-beat mechanism and allows enthusiasts a transparent view of the movement’s elegance from the watch’s rear.
