Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud has announced an exclusive partnership in the UAE with Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, a leading multi-brand luxury watch retailer in the country.

Launched last year, the Ferdinand Berthoud brand is a new business for the Chopard group.

The announcement follows the launch of Ferdinand Berthoud FB1 Chronometer held on the occasion of the Dubai Watch Week last week. 

The first two watches from the maison were delivered to Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons.

The creation has won the prestigious Aiguille d’Or (grand prize) award for the best overall watch among all categories at this year's Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG). The award is considered the Oscars of watchmaking. 

The precious timepieces produced by Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud will be exhibited in Dubai at Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons’ Mall of the Emirates boutique, where specialised teams will present the finer details of the FB1 Chronometer. 

Its horological complexity and pure, uncluttered elegance will doubtless attract the curiosity of a demanding local and international clientele, said the watchmaker.

The FB1 Chronometer with tourbillon and fusée and chain transmission system is the first creation from the maison and is inspired by the work of Ferdinand Berthoud, regarded as one of the world’s greatest watchmakers.

FB1 gives a new lease of life to the name and the horological feats of Ferdinand Berthoud (1727 -1807) providing them with a contemporary expression. The manufacture ushers the talent of this accomplished chronometer-maker into a new creative era that exalts the finest aspects of the watchmaking art. 

The creation is the result of five years of work and it was not easy to relaunch the master watchmaker, says Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, President of Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud and Co-President of Chopard 

"The new timepiece embodies a modern vision of the creations of the master. We wanted this exceptional new timepiece to represent a continuation of the work of the master chronometer-maker. This was to be done by adopting a contemporary approach guided by the same innovative spirit, while drawing inspiration from the marine chronometers created by the master watchmaker," he said.

Housed in an imposing octagonal case with watertight portholes, the new FB 1 is equipped with an original mechanical hand-wound movement comprising more than 1,120 components. Entirely independently conceived, developed and produced by Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud in Fleurier, the FB-T.FC calibre features a tourbillon with central seconds, a distinctive pillar-type architecture, an innovative suspended fusée - chain regulating system and a mobile cone indicating power-reserve. Patents have been filed for each of these features, said Scheufele. 

The new Tourbillon Fusée - Chain chronometer is powered by an exclusive hand-wound movement entirely designed, developed and produced by the manufacture. Calibre FB-T.FC is distinguished by a striking pillar-type architecture typical of the marine chronometers created by the master-watchmaker in the 18th century. Equipped with a remarkable low-frequency (3 Hz) tourbillon with central seconds, this exceptional movement also features a constant-force regulating device with suspended fusée - chain transmission, a differential-based winding system, as well as a highly specific power-reserve mechanism called a “suspended mobile cone”.

"Developing a contemporary timepiece inspired by the 18th century marine chronometers created by Ferdinand Berthoud is no easy task. Transposing the chronology of onboard chronometers to a wristwatch is in itself a technological feat, but placing on the dial the name of one of the most illustrious master-watchmakers of the Age of Enlightenment – almost 200 years after his demise – is a truly ambitious challenge," said Vincent Lapaire, General Manager of Ferdinand Berthoud. 

The development phase of the FB 1 Chronometer stemmed from a lengthy research process involving cooperation with a number of specialists from various backgrounds.  

The result of almost three years’ research and development, culminating in cutting-edge reliability tests, Calibre FB-T.FC delivers exceptional precision and rating regularity duly certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), said Lapaire. 

It provides 53 hours’ autonomy and optimal readability of its hours, minutes, seconds and power-reserve functions. 

It takes two days to assemble one chain, he added.

Inspired by Berthoud regulator-type clocks, the particularly slim, long spokes of the gear wheels are decorated with meticulous care. Patiently circular satin-finished, bevelled and countersunk, they subtly reflect the light onto the pinions. Patents have been filed for several of the unprecedented mechanisms composing this new calibre.

The creation comes in two models - 18-carat white gold and titanium and 18-carat rose gold and black ceramic. It has a total diameter of 44 mm and thickness of 13 mm with water resistance of 30m.

Fifty watches in each model will be produced, said Lapaire. "The distribution of the Limited Edition watches will be extremely controlled. Only 10 multi-brand agencies around the world will have the chance to present the creations," he said. 

The watches are priced at $212,000 (Swiss price with 8 per cent tax included).