The Chronomètre FB 3SPC.3-4 Seddiqi Edition, introduced by Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud for the 75th anniversary of Ahmed Seddiqi, is a creation that manages to bridge rich heritage with modern ingenuity. Offered in an exclusive series of three, this platinum chronometer not only celebrates a landmark partnership in Middle Eastern watch retailing, but also underscores the maison’s devotion to innovative watchmaking. With its technically avant-garde calibre and exceptional finishing, the FB 3SPC Seddiqi Edition stands as a formidable chronometer with an aesthetic language shaped by tradition, discipline and an uncompromising pursuit of excellence.
Undeniable Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud
The dial of the Chronomètre FB 3SPC Seddiqi Edition is an exercise in contrast and coherence, where unexpected pairings create a visual harmony reinforcing its technical pedigree. Centred on the sapphire display is a black varnished peripheral inner bezel ring, dedicated to the hours and minutes. Here, gilded engraved Arabic numerals encapsulate an urbane yet classical aesthetic, highlighted in gold against the velvet finish of the lacquered brass.
A subdial for the running seconds resides purposefully at six o’clock, its own black varnished surface enriching the overall coherence, again adorned with gilded numerals. The visual impact is only heightened by the selection of 18-carat yellow gold hands, each skeletonised, open-tipped and diamond-polished, contributing to legibility and a sense of sculptural refinement. The seconds hand, complemented by an openworked counterweight, maintains the watch’s identity as a precise instrument rather than mere ornamentation.
The dial’s construction extends further with sandblasted nickel silver movement components, with bridges and a mainplate in an unprecedented champagne hue, add depth and subtle warmth. This interplay of champagne sandblasting and natural nickel silver, with straight-grained regulating organ bridges, strikes a careful balance between technical mastery and high-end decorative art.
The Movement – Calibre FB-SPC
Encased within the FB 3SPC Seddiqi Edition beats the Calibre FB-SPC, a hand-wound mechanical movement that sits at the very summit of contemporary horological engineering. Measuring 34mm in diameter and 6.84mm thick, the movement’s architecture is defined by both its visual drama and technical prowess. Forty-seven jewels support 230 individual components in an arrangement that offers a robust, enduring mechanism.
The calibre’s most defining technical feature is its cylindrical balance spring, poised at 9 o’clock alongside a clearly individualised regulating organ comprised of the balance, pallet lever and escape wheel. This highly rare configuration is positioned for optimal observation, enabled in part by a water-resistant sapphire porthole set into the case middle. Ferdinand Berthoud’s historical focus on cylindrical springs is honoured here, with the component shaped by hand and completed with proprietary terminal curves.
Precision is embedded both in the intent and execution: the variable-inertia balance is fitted with four fine adjustment screws and eight load screws and ensures stability and adaptability across the entire power reserve. The slip-spring barrel incorporates automatic uncoupling once the maximum reserve is reached, addressing torque delivery for consistent accuracy. The Swiss lever escapement is paired with a crown-activated stop-seconds mechanism, guaranteeing synchronised time-setting. Every facet is finished to the highest watchmaking standards, and the ensemble is officially chronometer-certified by the COSC, substantiating its legitimacy as a collector’s chronometer of rare distinction.
Excellence in Platinum
The physical presence of the FB 3SPC Seddiqi Edition is encapsulated in a 42.30 mm platinum PT-950 case. With a thickness of 9.43 mm and a water resistance rated to 30 metres, this round case is both stately and practical. The sapphire porthole at 9 o’clock is more than a design flourish; it serves as a window into the heart of its chronometric engine, reinforcing the watch’s technical identity. The exhibition back, crafted from platinum and set with a glare-proofed sapphire crystal pane, reveals the sandblasted decoration and the “75” logo created by Ahmed Seddiqi for this anniversary. Platinum screws and a crown of ethical 18-carat white gold anchor the construction, merging visual luxury with responsible sourcing. A domed sapphire crystal, glare-proofed on both sides, adds clarity and a sense of occasion to every glance at the dial. The strap is fashioned from alligator leather, with sizing and colour personalisation available on request, secures to the wrist with an 18 mm platinum pin buckle. Three pieces only are available, each engraved “1 DE 3”, marking this creation as the apex of exclusivity.
Celebrating Horological Passion
The Chronomètre FB 3SPC Seddiqi Edition stands at the confluence of commemoration and horological art. Its platinum case, technically advanced movement and careful finishing offer collectors a rare opportunity to own a piece woven through both heritage and modernity. Released in a year that sees both Ahmed Seddiqi’s 75th and Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud’s 10th anniversaries, the watch’s exclusivity is matched by the strength of partnership it celebrates, a union of dedication to excellence and mutual support in the world of fine watchmaking. There is no escaping the sense that this reference sets a new benchmark where mechanical artistry, aesthetic discipline and narrative significance are not simply in harmony, but in concerted dialogue. The FB 3SPC Seddiqi Edition, in its technical authority and stylistic finesse, is a watch that honours the past while forging the future.
