Celebrating half a decade of championing high-end independent watchmaking, Art in Time is marking its fifth anniversary in style. Located in the glamorous One Monte-Carlo complex in Monaco, this gallery-boutique has become a haven for collectors seeking rare, artisanal timepieces that blend superlative craftsmanship with boundary-pushing creativity.
To honour the occasion, Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud has unveiled an exclusive five-piece limited edition of its Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève-winning Chronomètre FB 3SPC.
With its lightweight, sandblasted titanium case and striking white, grey and blue aesthetic, this timepiece encapsulates the very essence of Art in Time’s philosophy: offering discerning collectors access to the finest in independent watchmaking.
Evolution of a Gallery
Since its inception in 2019, Art in Time has become synonymous with exclusive, independent horology. Spearheaded by Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, co-president of Chopard and president of Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud, the gallery was conceived as a space to showcase and sell the work of the world’s most revered independent watch- and clock- makers.
As Scheufele remarked at the time of its opening: “The maisons in Art in Time are all motivated by the same deeply-held convictions, each in their own distinctive fashion.”
Initially bringing together eight brands – Chopard and Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud alongside MB&F, Greubel Forsey, Urwerk, Ressence, L’Épée 1839 and Florian Schlumpf – Art in Time boasted a philosophy built around shared values, rather than specific styles or collections.
Independence, craftsmanship and innovation have been the guiding principles behind this unique space, creating an environment where collectors can experience horological art in a minimalist, refined setting.
Over the past five years, this showroom has grown to represent 24 of the most respected names in independent haute horlogerie. Timepieces by Akrivia, De Bethune, Petermann Bédat, Sylvain Pinaud and Ludovic Ballouard are now part of the gallery’s collection, together with creators of high-end horology-, art- and design-related objects.
As Scheufele recently noted: “The results of our first five years in Monaco exceed our expectations and reinforce the idea that such a place must exist to represent independent watchmakers with due dignity."
With its impeccable curation, Art in Time remains the only showroom of its kind along the Côte d'Azur to offer this level of quality and craftsmanship under one roof, attracting collectors from around the globe.
A New Look for the FB 3SPC
This new iteration is housed in a lightweight, sand-blasted 42.30mm titanium case with lateral porthole, giving the watch a more contemporary and wearable feel compared to the original red gold and white gold models.
In keeping with the case’s modern aesthetic, the peripheral inner bezel ring for hours and minutes, along with the small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock, are finished in semi-matte white varnish with blue varnish numerals that match the central blued hour and minute hands. Meanwhile, the highly visible Calibre FB-SPC has been sandblasted and treated with a bright white-rhodium finish.
Adding to its versatility, this timepiece comes with three interchangeable straps: a classic blue alligator leather strap, a grey alligator leather strap and a blue rubber strap. The quick-change system allows for seamless transitions between looks, making the watch effortlessly adaptable for different occasions.
Winning Technical Traits
The Chronomètre FB 3SPC may be new in appearance, but it retains the same technical traits that helped one of the original models win the prestigious Chronometry Prize at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) in 2023.
One of its standout elements is its cylindrical – or helical – hairspring, inspired by the No. 26 decimal pocket watch from 1793, signed by Ferdinand Berthoud’s nephew Louis Berthoud, but also worked on by Ferdinand Berthoud himself.
In the FB 3SPC, this cylindrical hairspring, paired with a 3Hz variable-inertia balance wheel as part of the finely-tuned regulating organ, ensures superior precision. The movement achieves an impressive average daily variation of between -1 and +3 seconds, not only meeting but exceeding the standards required for COSC certification.
Comprising 230 components including 16 bridges, the movement is meticulously hand-finished, as you would expect from the Val-de-Travers-based brand. Each of the five pieces is engraved around the case back with the inscriptions "Art in Time", "5th Anniversary" and "One of Five".
A Fitting Tribute
As Art in Time director Yohann Martinez puts it: “[This Chronomètre FB 3SPC’s] very light case, rubber strap and exclusive colours bring a modern touch to this collection, renowned for its traditional approach to chronometry.”
In many ways, this timepiece reflects the ethos of Art in Time itself – a concept deeply rooted in tradition, yet with a distinctly modern outlook. Indeed, with this timepiece, Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud and Art in Time have crafted a fitting tribute to five years of celebrating the art of horology.
For more information, please visit the Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud and Art in Time websites.
