The Last Ride: Ferdinand Berthoud Releases the Final Model Powered by the Chronométrie FB 2T movement

Bidding farewell is difficult when the goodbyes concern machinery that revolutionised industries. In 2023, the world will bid adieu to some of the most iconic machines ever made including the Audi R8, Lamborghini Aventedor and Nissan GT-R. In 2023, Ferdinand Berthoud also marks the farewell of the Chronométrie FB 2T movement in the form of the  Chronomètre FB 2T (Ref. FB 2T.1).

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Released in 2015, the Chronomètre FB1 soon turned into a hallmark for the timepiece industry. This year, the movement’s going on its last ride in the form of a final 38-piece limited edition presented for the first time with a round case: the Chronomètre FB 2T. 

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This 44mm, 18 ct white gold timepiece’s shape departs from its predecessors’ famous octagonal visuals. The off-centred sub-dial for the hours and minutes sits at 12 o’clock, and the faceted and skeletonised dagger-shaped hours and minutes hands come crafted in 18 ct white gold. The arrow-shaped power-reserve hand also makes use of 18 ct white gold with blue CVD-treatment; the central sweep-seconds hand is in rhodium-plated bronze.

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The Ferdinand Berthoud Chronomètre FB 2T bears the power reserve engraving on the main-plate at 9 o’clock, and the double opening for the one-minute flying tourbillon and the direct-drive seconds system. By adopting a vertical construction supported by six pillars, the workshop pays tribute to the Marine Clocks designed by the Master Watchmaker, while providing the FB-T.FC movement with scope for technical and aesthetic expression that is totally unprecedented in contemporary Haute Horlogerie.

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Other versions of the Ferdinand Berthoud Chronomètre FB 2T series will include two 18 ct rose gold models (Ref. FB 2T.2) with black rhodium dial, and one with a ruthenium dial (Ref. FB 2T.2-1). All the variants will have the sub-dial and seconds track with silver-toning with black-varnished inscriptions. The dial of this white gold variant has a blue CVD treatment and silver-toned and black-varnished railway-type seconds track.

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The series will be powered by 38-movement limited edition Calibre FB-T.FC-2 with a 53-hour power reserve. Turning the watches reveals the white gold skeleton caseback with six visible screws and the ‘Edition Finale’ fitted with a glare-proof sapphire crystal pane. The watch is finished on a blue leather strap with an 18 ct twin-blade folding clasp.

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Paulo Coelho’s words come to mind as we bid farewell to the Chronométrie FB 2T Movement: If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.

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