Ferdinand Berthoud: The Quest for Precision

At Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud two destinies virtually meet—Ferdinand Berthoud, Swiss-born master clockmaker from the Age of Enlightenment, and Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, co-president of Chopard—thanks to the shared passion for precision timekeeping.

During the Age of Exploration, France was engaged in the conquest of far-flung territories, and marine chronometry was a means to that end. For a clockmaker, accuracy was a responsibility. The regularity of Ferdinand Berthoud’s marine clocks, used by naval vessels during their voyages around the world, was vital to ensure that ships and their crews stayed safely on course. After writing several horological articles for the Encyclopedia by Diderot and d’Alembert, Berthoud subsequently penned a number of works about the measurement of time, revealing the state of progress of his research. Today, Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud takes its work just as seriously, honoring a legacy of foundational importance for fine watchmaking.

In 2006 Karl-Friedrich Scheufele acquired the rights to the name Ferdinand Berthoud, who was appointed Horologist-Mechanic to the French Navy under Louis XV. Reviving the legacy of this great name, since 2015 Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud has built an illustrious reputation for handcrafting exclusive in-house calibres and technologically exceptional timepieces that have won some of the highest awards at international watch salons.

Immersing the reader in the world of Swiss horological mastery, this volume explores the brand’s meticulous artisan craftsmanship, technical innovations, and unwavering commitment to chronometric and aesthetic perfection. Ferdinand Berthoud: The Quest for Precision invites watch enthusiasts and connoisseurs to appreciate the timeless artistry of this luxury brand’s handcrafted limited-edition masterpieces, including the newly unveiled Naissance d’une Montre 3.