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Lot Essay
Launched at Basel World 2019, the present mesmerizing ‘Far Side of the Moon’ ref. FB 1L.4 successfully captures the dark and mysterious ambiance of the Moon's hidden face. The present edition is cased in sandblasted 18k white gold and anthracite ceramized titanium. A contrasting ‘twin’ edition with a white dial, cased in 18k white gold with black ceramic lugs, the ‘Near Side of the Moon’ was launched at the same time, with each available in a limited edition of only 10 pieces.
Ferdinand Berthoud wristwatches bring together an illustrious history and the finest avant-garde watchmaking, design, and craftsmanship. The present watch model is inspired by the work of the great 18th-century Horloger Mécanicien du Roi et de la Marine, Ferdinand Berthoud, particularly his work on chronometric precision and the calculation of longitude. The Chronomètre FB 1L is a precision scientific instrument and timepiece that combines a highly impressive fusée and chain-driven constant-force tourbillon chronometer movement with, for the first time, indicators of the age and phases of the moon. The hours and minutes are displayed on a small dial at 12 o’clock, while the center seconds hand is powered by a sophisticated direct-drive complication, whereby the seconds wheel interacts directly with the wheel driving the tourbillon carriage. A power reserve indication sector is positioned on the back of the movement. However, what sets this watch apart is its entirely new and groundbreaking display of the age and phases of the moon. The moon phase indicates the different lunar cycles and is presented in four phases: new moon, first quarter, full moon, and last quarter. A lunation, or lunar cycle, is the time interval between two new moons. This patented complication is exceptionally accurate, with a remarkable astronomical precision resulting in only a one-day difference over 577 years of operation.
In fact, there are two separate ingenious lunar indications visible on the dial. The first is the age and phases of the moon; the moon’s age in days is indicated by a large hand moving continuously back and forth over a sector scale marked from 1 to 14, with day 1 being the day following the new moon and day 14 representing the full moon. Symbols representing the phases of the moon during this period are displayed on the same sector. The hand then moves in reverse to indicate the progression toward the next new moon. The second indication shows whether the current moon phase is waxing or waning, using an arrow pointer from a realistic representation of the far side of the moon between 4 and 5 o’clock. This informs the wearer at a glance whether the moon’s age indicator hand is rising to a full moon or returning to a new moon.
Historically, an accurate indication of the age of the moon or chronometer-standard time measurement made it possible to calculate longitude at sea with great accuracy nearly three centuries ago. In this wristwatch, chronometric accuracy is achieved through the combination of the tourbillon, which corrects positional errors, and the fusée and chain winding system, which ensures a stable transmission of power as the mainspring unwinds.
Stunningly attractive in appearance and a formidable and important piece of 21st-century haute horlogerie, the present watch is an exclusive statement of luxury and connoisseurship for the collector.
Ferdinand Berthoud wristwatches bring together an illustrious history and the finest avant-garde watchmaking, design, and craftsmanship. The present watch model is inspired by the work of the great 18th-century Horloger Mécanicien du Roi et de la Marine, Ferdinand Berthoud, particularly his work on chronometric precision and the calculation of longitude. The Chronomètre FB 1L is a precision scientific instrument and timepiece that combines a highly impressive fusée and chain-driven constant-force tourbillon chronometer movement with, for the first time, indicators of the age and phases of the moon. The hours and minutes are displayed on a small dial at 12 o’clock, while the center seconds hand is powered by a sophisticated direct-drive complication, whereby the seconds wheel interacts directly with the wheel driving the tourbillon carriage. A power reserve indication sector is positioned on the back of the movement. However, what sets this watch apart is its entirely new and groundbreaking display of the age and phases of the moon. The moon phase indicates the different lunar cycles and is presented in four phases: new moon, first quarter, full moon, and last quarter. A lunation, or lunar cycle, is the time interval between two new moons. This patented complication is exceptionally accurate, with a remarkable astronomical precision resulting in only a one-day difference over 577 years of operation.
In fact, there are two separate ingenious lunar indications visible on the dial. The first is the age and phases of the moon; the moon’s age in days is indicated by a large hand moving continuously back and forth over a sector scale marked from 1 to 14, with day 1 being the day following the new moon and day 14 representing the full moon. Symbols representing the phases of the moon during this period are displayed on the same sector. The hand then moves in reverse to indicate the progression toward the next new moon. The second indication shows whether the current moon phase is waxing or waning, using an arrow pointer from a realistic representation of the far side of the moon between 4 and 5 o’clock. This informs the wearer at a glance whether the moon’s age indicator hand is rising to a full moon or returning to a new moon.
Historically, an accurate indication of the age of the moon or chronometer-standard time measurement made it possible to calculate longitude at sea with great accuracy nearly three centuries ago. In this wristwatch, chronometric accuracy is achieved through the combination of the tourbillon, which corrects positional errors, and the fusée and chain winding system, which ensures a stable transmission of power as the mainspring unwinds.
Stunningly attractive in appearance and a formidable and important piece of 21st-century haute horlogerie, the present watch is an exclusive statement of luxury and connoisseurship for the collector.