In an era where automated processes dominate manufacturing and artificial intelligence reshapes entire industries, Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud has undertaken a profound act of resistance. The Naissance d'une Montre 3 project represents more than the creation of eleven extraordinary timepieces—it stands as a testament to the irreplaceable value of human craftsmanship and the patient pursuit of horological excellence.
Marking the tenth anniversary of Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud, this ambitious cross-disciplinary endeavor fulfills founder and President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele's visionary dream. More than 80 skilled artisans and specialists from Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud and Chopard collaborated to bring this contemporary interpretation of Ferdinand Berthoud's Astronomical Pocket Watch No. 3 to life.
The Naissance d'une Montre 3 represents the pinnacle of horological craftsmanship—a six-year journey that celebrates both technical mastery and human artistry. This wrist-worn timekeeper achieves official COSC chronometer certification while being entirely handcrafted using traditional methods, deliberately avoiding any digital assistance.
This is more than a watch; it's living proof that traditional craftsmanship and horological heritage can create something truly extraordinary in our modern age.
The project's adherence to the Time Æon Foundation's regulations reveals its proper philosophical foundation. Every component crafted without digital assistance, guided solely by "the human eye, hand, and mind," represents a deliberate choice to honor the rhythms of traditional craftsmanship. In a world increasingly dominated by automated precision, Naissance d'une Montre 3 reminds us that some achievements cannot be rushed, replicated, or reduced to algorithms.
The dedication to using only vintage machine tools in a specially created workshop speaks to a broader understanding of heritage preservation. This isn't mere nostalgia—it's a recognition that specific skills, developed over centuries of human experience, contain wisdom that modern technology has yet to learn to replicate.
A Vision Six Years in the Making
Karl-Friedrich Scheufele's ambitious dream has finally come to fruition, coinciding perfectly with Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud's tenth anniversary. What began as an homage to Ferdinand Berthoud's Astronomical Pocket Watch No. 3 evolved into something far more significant: a living laboratory where traditional watchmaking techniques could be preserved, practiced, and passed forward to future generations.
The numbers tell only part of the story—11,000 hours of meticulous work, six years of unwavering dedication, and the expertise of more than 80 artisans and specialists. But behind these figures lies a deeper narrative about the relationship between human skill and mechanical perfection, between tradition and innovation.
The fusion of a split bimetallic temperature-compensated Guillaume-type balance wheel with a constant-force fusee-and-chain transmission system represents the pinnacle of mechanical ingenuity. These aren't merely technical specifications; they're the physical manifestation of centuries of horological evolution, each component carrying forward the accumulated knowledge of master craftsmen.
The decision to make the movement entirely visible from the dial side transforms each timepiece into a meditation on the beauty of mechanical engineering. Housed within a specially conceived 44 mm 18K white gold case, these watches become windows into the soul of traditional watchmaking—where function and form achieve perfect harmony.
Only 11 watches will be produced of the Ferdinand Berthoud 'Naissance d'une Montre 3' Project with Time Æon Foundation. The resulting series showcases a remarkable fusion of historical inspiration and modern innovation. Each timepiece, featuring a 44 mm 18K white gold case, displays the beauty of its mechanics magnificently. At its heart lies a movement steeped in the legacy of Master Watchmaker Ferdinand Berthoud, featuring a constant-force fusee-and-chain transmission system, a bimetallic balance, a central seconds hand, and an open architecture.
These 11 exceptional chronometers uphold the same exacting standards of quality and finishing that define all contemporary Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud timepieces.
Lessons in Time
Louis Berthoud's phrase "temps qui instruit"—time that instructs—resonates powerfully through this project. The Naissance d'une Montre 3 watches embody this wisdom, teaching us that excellence cannot be hurried, that mastery requires patience, and that the journey of creation is often more valuable than the destination itself. In a world obsessed with efficiency and speed, these eleven chronometers offer a different perspective on value. They remind us that some achievements require the slow accumulation of skill, the patient refinement of technique, and the deep understanding that comes only through sustained human effort.
The Greater Purpose
The upcoming Phillips auction in association with Bacs & Russo in Geneva will feature a unique one-of-a-kind stainless steel version of the Naissance d'une Montre 3, marking the first public presentation of this extraordinary project. The November 2025 auction represents more than a commercial transaction—it's an investment in the future of human craftsmanship, with proceeds supporting charitable efforts dedicated to preserving and passing on watchmaking expertise to future generations.
This commitment to education and preservation reveals the project's true ambition: ensuring that the knowledge embodied in these eleven chronometer-certified timepieces continues to be passed down, nurturing new generations of craftsmen who can maintain these traditional techniques.
As we witness the presentation of Naissance d'une Montre 3, we're not merely observing the completion of an ambitious horological project. We're seeing the successful preservation of an entire tradition—one that bridges the gap between Ferdinand Berthoud's 18th-century innovations and the contemporary world's need for authentic, human-centered excellence. Even the box accompanying the watches has been handcrafted from top to bottom.
These eleven timepieces will tick forward into the future, carrying with them not just precise timekeeping, but the accumulated wisdom of generations of craftsmen. They serve as both functional instruments and philosophical statements, proving that in our increasingly digital world, the irreplaceable value of human skill, patience, and dedication continues to create wonders that no machine can replicate.
The Naissance d'une Montre 3 project ultimately teaches us that true luxury lies not in exclusivity alone, but in the preservation and celebration of human potential at its finest. In an era of artificial intelligence and automated production, these watches remind us that some forms of intelligence—the kind found in skilled hands guided by experienced minds—remain uniquely and irreplaceably human.
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