The Ferdinand Berthoud Mesure du Temps 1787 Chronomètre FB 2TV marks the beginning of a new chapter, not just for the brand, but for how precision watchmaking can be expressed in modern form.
Inspired by the 1787 treatise on time measurement by Ferdinand Berthoud, this watch blends historical chronometry with contemporary mechanical architecture. It feels less like a continuation and more like a redefinition.
This is not a watch built around tradition alone. It reinterprets it through transparency, motion, and engineering depth.
A case that reflects marine chronometer heritage
The FB 2TV is housed in a 44 mm case crafted from ethical 18k white gold, with a thickness of 15.46 mm.
Its round construction takes cues from earlier Berthoud designs while simplifying the architecture. Twin box sapphire crystals, front and back, open the watch visually, allowing light to pass through and highlight the movement’s depth.
Despite its size, the case feels purposeful rather than excessive, shaped to frame the mechanics rather than dominate them.
The dial shifts focus to mechanical storytelling
Time is displayed on an off-centered subdial positioned at 12 o’clock. The hours and minutes sit on a white varnished base with engraved black detailing, offering clarity against the complex backdrop.
A central seconds hand sweeps across the open architecture, while a power reserve indicator appears subtly integrated into the mainplate at around 7:30.
The layout is unconventional, but not confusing. It draws attention toward the movement itself, turning the dial into a window rather than a surface.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Case Material | 18k White Gold |
| Case Size | 44 mm |
| Thickness | 15.46 mm |
| Movement | Calibre FB-TV.FC (Manual-wind, COSC certified) |
| Complication | Flying Tourbillon with Fusee-and-Chain |
| Power Reserve | ~60 hours |
| Frequency | 21,600 vph |
| Functions | Hours, Minutes, Central Seconds, Power Reserve |
| Water Resistance | 30 meters |
| Production | ~10–12 pieces per year |
| Price | ~$406,000 |
The movement redefines precision through constant force
At the heart of the FB 2TV is the in-house calibre FB-TV.FC, composed of around 1,240 components, including an intricate fusee-and-chain system with hundreds of individual links.
This mechanism ensures constant force delivery, maintaining consistent energy to the escapement regardless of the mainspring’s state.
A flying tourbillon sits within this architecture, removing the upper bridge to create a more open, suspended visual effect.
The movement also integrates a stop-seconds function and a rare zero-reset mechanism for the seconds hand, allowing precise time setting even within such a complex system.
Together, these features place precision at the center of the watch’s identity.
Materials and finishing elevate mechanical artistry
The movement is finished with an extraordinary level of detail. Frosted plates, polished bevels, and hand-applied decoration create contrast across the structure.
Blue CVD-treated hands in gold and titanium add color without distracting from the architecture. Every component is finished by hand, reflecting hundreds of hours of work.
This is not decorative finishing. It is structural artistry, designed to highlight the mechanics themselves.
Wearability shaped by intention rather than convenience
Despite its complexity, the FB 2TV is designed to be worn. The curved lugs and balanced case proportions help manage its size, while the alligator strap keeps it secure and comfortable.
However, this is not a daily tool watch. With 30 meters of water resistance, it leans toward controlled environments and careful use.
Its purpose is not versatility, but experience.
A new collection built on historical foundation
The name “Mesure du Temps 1787” directly references Berthoud’s historical work on time measurement, connecting the watch to centuries of chronometric research.
This is the first piece in a new collection, signaling a shift in the brand’s direction. Instead of evolving existing models, it introduces a fresh platform built around transparency and mechanical expression.
Availability and price reflect extreme exclusivity
The FB 2TV is not limited by a fixed number, but by production capacity. Only 10 to 12 pieces per year are expected due to the complexity of manufacturing.
Pricing sits around $406,000, placing it firmly within the highest tier of independent haute horology.
This positioning reflects not just materials or complications, but the sheer level of engineering and hand-finishing involved.
The Chronomètre FB 2TV does not attempt to simplify watchmaking. It embraces its complexity and reveals it fully, creating a timepiece where precision, history, and mechanical transparency exist in complete harmony.