ART IN TIME Monaco celebrates its fifth anniversary. To mark the occasion, in close collaboration with the galerie horlogère, Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud has created an exclusive five- piece limited series of the Chronomètre FB 3SPC, available for the first time in sandblasted titanium.
When Karl-Friedrich Scheufele – Co- President of Chopard and President of Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud – inaugurated ART IN TIME in Monaco in 2019, he created an unusual concept: a unique space uniting watchmaking houses around the shared values of craftsmanship, independence and originality.
This pioneering space meets a growing need: to offer collectors the chance to discover the rarest and most original creations from independent watchmaking houses. Eight of the latter joined the initiative when this exclusive space opened on the Riviera and the success of ART IN TIME is demonstrated by the fact that it now represents 24 Maisons offering highly sought- after timepieces from a number of independent master watchmakers, as well as innovative mechanical creations from well-known houses. “We are delighted with the results of our first five years in Monaco”, explains Karl-Friedrich Scheufele. “They exceed our expectations and reinforce the idea that such a place must exist in order to represent independent watchmakers with due dignity.”
To celebrate this achievement and the gallery’s fifth anniversary, Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud and ART IN TIME are presenting an exclusive series of five Chronomètre FB 3SPC timepieces in sandblasted titanium. Winner of the Chronometry Prize at the 2023 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, the FB 3 collection remains the only one to date powered by a mechanical movement with a cylindrical balance-spring chronometer- certified by the COSC.
In addition to its original sandblasted titanium case, this anniversary series is also distinguished by its colour combination: its finely sandblasted, white rhodium-plated movement matches the white dial and inner bezel ring, complete with blue numerals and minutes track. The only things that stand out from this composition are the gear train and the escapement with its cylindrical balance-spring at 9 o’clock. Representing a horological challenge in terms of both design and precision timing, this escapement has an average rate variation of between – 1 and +3 seconds per day. This is 2.5 times more accurate than the variation accepted by the COSC, the highly selective test to which these movements are subjected.
These five examples of the Chronomètre FB 3SPC.4 are adorned with three interchangeable straps – in blue rubber, blue alligator leather and grey alligator leather – secured by pin buckles also made of sandblasted titanium. The back of each case bears three engravings: ‘Art in Time’, ‘5th Anniversary’ and ‘One of Five’. “We are delighted to be able to offer this special edition of the FB 3SPC Chronometer at ART IN TIME”, adds watch gallery director Yohann Martinez. “Its very light case, rubber strap and exclusive colours bring a modern touch to this collection, renowned for its traditional approach to chronometry. ”
