With its black DLC-treated steel case, rubber strap, and vertical satin-finish black dial, Ferdinand Berthoud Chronomètre FB 1.6-3 exudes a sports feel at first sight. Its movement boasts angled sapphire half-bridges, echoing the modernity of its housing.
Among the output of Fine Watchmaking manufactures, creations in steel are often the most sought-after, being much rarer than their gold and platinum counterparts. The new Ferdinand Berthoud Chronomètre FB 1.6-3 is all the more remarkable in that it is the first all-black creation by Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud. The unique piece has been exclusively designed for the ART IN TIME watch gallery in Monaco, with part of the proceeds from its sale passed on to charity.
Unique and historic
The singular nature of this timepiece is clear at first glance. For the first time, Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud has decked out one of its models in black DLC. This bold move is nevertheless consistent with developments to date: right from its inception, in addition to technical performance inspired by the values of Fine Watchmaking, the manufacture has sought to endow its timepieces with an unashamedly contemporary look.
The FB 1.6-3 explores this modern ethos – and pushes back its boundaries. It’s both sporty and daring, with the case, bezel, flange, dial, crown, and strap clad entirely in black. It’s also the first ever steel case in the FB 1 collection, making this model very much one of a kind.
The Monaco connection
In a first for the manufacture, Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud has applied an all-black DLC treatment to the fine sand-blasted steel. The crown is fitted with a ceramic insert; the screws fastening the case are in titanium.
The vertical satin-finish dial benefits from a semi-matte black galvanised treatment. The even-numbered hours, seconds hand, and power reserve are coloured red, standing out eloquently. The combination of dark black and bright red contributes to the sports feel of the piece, as well as making its indications effortless to read.
To complete the nod to ART IN TIME’s Monaco identity, the Chronomètre FB 1.6-3 features a white seconds scale and minute circle, thus echoing the House of Grimaldi’s two heraldic colours, red and white. In line with ART IN TIME’s tradition of unique pieces, part of the proceeds from the sale of the watch will be passed on to the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, dedicated to building a sustainable future.
Full transparency
Front and back, the timepiece exemplifies the manufacture’s demanding standards in finishing. The hour and minute counter is finely sand-blasted and treated with matte BlackOr; hour markers have been coated with Super-LumiNova. The hours and minutes hands and power reserve indicator are in gold, while the seconds hand is made of polished bronze.
All that aside, the main feature is not immediately apparent: sapphire. In the FB 1.6-3, it takes pride of place, both on the dial, for the flange, and also on the back, for the half bridges. The latter are finely angled, engraved, and coloured red, enclosing the tourbillon carriage and its central seconds hand. Equipped with a fusee-and-chain transmission – the oldest and most complex solution for providing an escapement with constant force – the FB 1.6-3 guarantees Chronometer certified accuracy.
A tried and tested movement
The manufacture movement can be admired through one of the side portholes in the octagonal case that has now become the style signature of this Ferdinand Berthoud collection. The case houses the FB-T.FC-2 calibre, the construction of which is unique in contemporary watchmaking. With 15 bridges and 3 half bridges connected by vertical pillars, Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud has designed a movement that brings to mind eighteenth-century marine chronometers, with barrel and fusee suspended, as is the cone – on which a feeler rises and falls, indicating the power reserve.
“Each of our creations has its own identity. This one is no exception, communicating a decidedly sporty feel,” concludes Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, President of Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud. “Over the past few years, the FB 1 collection has demonstrated its capacity to embody a range of different styles. There can be no doubt that this unique watch marks a major milestone in our history – and a significant step towards the ultimate customisation possibilities opened up by the collection.”
About the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation:
For the best part of 15 years now, through his Foundation, HSH Prince Albert ll of Monaco has been actively involved in protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development to counter threats to the planet. Committed to research, technological innovation, and tackling major social challenges, the Foundation funds projects in the Mediterranean basin, the polar regions, and the world’s least socially and economically developed countries. Its goals are to mitigate the effects of climate change, promote renewable energy, preserve biodiversity, manage water resources, and fight against desertification.
FONDATION PRINCE ALBERT II DE MONACO
Villa Girasole 16, Boulevard de Suisse
98000 MONACO – MONACO
Tel (+377) 98 98 44 44
E-mail: contact@fpa2.org
Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud Chronomètre FB 1.6-3 Technical Specifications
REF. FB 1.6-3 black DLC-treated STAINLESS steel; UNIQUE piece
CASE
- Black DLC-treated octagonal stainless steel case with two transparent sapphire portholes
Total diameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 mm
Thickness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 mm
Water resistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 metres
Crown diameter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 mm
Limited edition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unique piece
- Black DLC-treated stainless steel dynamometric crown (decoupling system) with black ceramic medallion
- Black DLC-treated stainless steel screw-in case-back with glare-proofed sapphire crystal
- Domed, arched sapphire crystal, glare-proofed on both sides
DIAL
- Vertical satin-brushed dial with semi-matte black galvanised treatment
- Angled open dial centre and power reserve indicator; black bevels
- Off-centre hours and minutes sub-dial, sand-blasted, semi-matte black galvanised treatment, red Arabic numerals
- Black translucent sapphire crystal seconds track
- Power reserve indication engraved on base plate: “0_1/4_1/2_3/4_1”
- Power reserve indicator: arrow pointing to the words “HAUT” and “BAS” (‘HIGH’ and ‘LOW’)
- Inscription: “Chronomètre Val-de-Travers Suisse”
HANDS
- Facetted and openworked dagger-type minutes hand in 18-carat white gold, coated with white luminous material (Super-LumiNova)
- Red varnished 18-carat white gold arrow-shaped power reserve hand
- Red varnished bronze central seconds hand
STRAP AND BUCKLE
- Rubber strap (115 x 75mm, 20mm buckle) – Range of sizes available on request
- Black DLC-treated 18-carat white gold pin buckle – Ceramised titanium, double-blade length-adjustable folding clasp available on request
