This collection featuring numerous innovative aspects introduced the Maison’s second movement, equipped with fusee-and-chain transmission and a one-second remontoire device. This calibre, which has won awards for its precision timekeeping performance, now reveals more of how it operates through the customisable bridges and mainplate of the new Chronomètre FB RES.
In 2020, Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud unveiled its second collection, the Chronomètre FB 2RE. This timepiece marked a real turning point for the Maison: the first round case, the first display with three central hands; and above all the first movement with a double regulation system combining fusee-and-chain transmission with a one- second “remontoir d’égalité” .
This movement is now offered with a completely revisited design intended to highlight its sophisticated inner workings. Formerly in domed Grand Feu enamel, the dial now features a technical combination of bridges and mainplate as well as a wide opening stretching from 3 o'clock to 6 o'clock. The latter reveals a construction with three bridges converging towards the dial centre. This geometry is directly inspired by a skeletonised table clock made by Ferdinand Berthoud circa 1775. The similarity does not end there, as that clock displaying the hours, minutes, seconds, age of the Moon, calendar and zodiac signs was also equipped with a “remontoir d’égalité”. This timepiece in perfect working order is part of the Maison’s heritage and is currently housed in the Ferdinand Berthoud Museum in Fleurier.
Two linear metres of hand chamfering
Exposing the movement components of the Chronomètre FB RES opens up unprecedented aesthetic perspectives, while simultaneously revealing a particularly meticulous finishing process.
Each wheel, bridge and screw is entirely hand-decorated. An extraordinar y level of manual finishing has been applied in order to reveal the beauty of each component. Placed end to end, all the angles of the wheels and their bridges, as well as those revealed at the heart of the 9 o'clock power-reserve display, represent more than two linear metres filed and polished by hand. The finishing of the bridges and mainplate is specific to this new model named FB RES – standing in French for "Remontoir d’Égalité Squelette”.
38 personalised calibres
Thirty-eight movements will be produced in total. They will be open to customisation in a wide range of options. The shape (round or octagonal) and material (stainless-steel, titanium, ceramised titanium and 18-carat white, yellow, or rose gold) of the case, the colour of the inner bezel ring, the dial and the associated finishes (sandblasted or satin-brushed): in all, more than 200 variations can be simulated on an online configurator specifically created for this model. Collectors will thus be able to bring to life variations that are unprecedented for Ferdinand Berthoud, notably including a calibre with a remontoire device in an octagonal case.
Peak precision
At the heart of this timepiece beats the Calibre FB-RES.FC, regulated by fusee-and-chain transmission and a one-second remontoire. The purpose of this full-fledged chronometric complication is to even out the energy coming from the barrel and transmitted to the escapement. The device relies on a spring positioned between the two organs. It temporarily stores a small amount of energy, which is then delivered to the balance. The charge/discharge frequency of this buffer energy is very short: one second. It is this sequential impulse that the large central seconds hand beats off, connected to the “remontoir d’égalité” via an intermediate wheel. It therefore advances in one-second jumps: this is a true-beat mechanism also known as a deadbeat second and generated directly by the remontoire. All these mechanical intricacies are almost entirely visible through the back of the FB RES.
“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.”
The Chronomètre FB RES also perpetuates the Maison’s desire to offer collectors the possibility of personalising their timepieces through a wide range of options offered by this new configurator, directly accessible online on the Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud website.
