In 2014, Chopard will launch a new luxury watch brand under its corporate guidance and ownership which will celebrate the work of a historic Swiss watchmaker and one of the most emblematic figures of watchmaking history, Ferdinand Berthoud (19 March 1727 – 20 June 1807). The new brand will be officially named La Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud.
Ferdinand Berthoud Watch
Ferdinand Berthoud was born in 1727 in Plancemont, in the Val-de-Travers canton of Switzerland. He was a contemporary of Abraham – Louis Breguet. Both were Swiss and both moved to Paris to engage in the manufacture of the watches. In Paris, they produce clocks and watches for civil, military, and scientific use. In 1753, Berthoud was officially awarded the title of master clockmaker in Paris.
The iconic Swiss watchmaker left behind itself a numerous achievements in the fields of marine chronometers, decorative clocks and watches, specialized tools and scientific measurement instruments. He also wrote dozens of publications representing 4,000 pages and 120 engraved plates. Many of his creations are still in existence and a few have been sold at auction for a large amount.
Ferdinand Berthoud
Berthoud’s career was really amazing, as indeed was the period in which he lived, from the Age of Enlightenment to the Empire, and surviving the French Revolution. His genius and brilliance was widely respected by his contemporaries. He was elected to the Institut de France, as well as commissioned as “Horologist mechanic by appointment to the King and the Navy” during the reigns of Louis XV and Louis XVI, as well as subsequently under the Empire. In 1804, Napoleon gave him the title of Knight of the Legion of Honor.
Many of Berthoud’s unique creations will without doubt be an inspiration for the upcoming watches that we will see very soon.
Ferdinand Berthoud Watches
When we speak about prices of the new La Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud watches, I guess that they will be pretty high considering the fact that these watches will be quite impressive. Also, Chopard has indicated that the new brand will be “positioned at the very peak of the collection within the Chopard group.”
The new La Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud Brand will be situated near Chopard in Fleurier in the Val-de-Travers. Interestingly, it is just a few miles from where Ferdinand Berthoud was born.
The new luxury brand will be offering exceptional watches in strictly limited series. Further information will be known in the summer of 2014 when the new brand will be officially unveiled.
