Ferdinand Berthoud was a Swiss marine clockmaker and horological writer who migrated in Paris to establish his reputation as a renowned clockmaker. It was his brother who guided him all throughout his practice at the age of 14. In the year 1745, Berthoud moved to Paris where he continued his craftsmanship in clock-making. His extensive knowledge and talent was honed and his skills were perfected by one of the greatest antique clock makers of France, Julien Le Roy. He was taught the skills in winding keys and fitting gears with the best and advance horology. Berthoud and the son of Julien, Pierre Le Roy were the pioneers in the field of chronometry.
Berthoud became a member of different groups for the clock-making craft, such as: Royal Society (1764), Royal Clock Factory (1786), New Time System (juror), and the Temporary Commission for the Arts (1793). In 1804, he was appointed as the Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur. Berthoud also puts his knowledge into writings for horology and marine chronometry. He published a total of ten books using his penmanship. His outstanding skills as a clockmaker was proven in his beautiful works on the movements for mantle clocks and long cases. The invention of spring escapement and the improvements made on the existing self-compensating balance wheel are also proof of his excellence. His brilliant mind made him experiment on timekeeping.
The most famous antique clocks made by Berthoud was the unusual dial with a unique hand in action. This minute hand of the clock was mounted in the center, lower half of the dial. It traveled the normal complete circle above the minute markings. The other hand separate to the minute hand is mounted in the center of this unusual dial and starts moving toward the right from nine o'clock. The number VI is marked with point, and the other VI was put in place of the three o'clock position to correspond twelve hours. Every time the hour hand points to the number VI on the right, the hour hand snapped back by a spring to the number VI on the left, and the same process starts over again.
Here are some of the beautiful collectible clocks of Ferdinand Berthoud, which made him outstanding in the field of horology:
l Classic Louis XVI. This precise tall case clock features a 30-day movement, a year calendar, a Georges Graham escapement, and a bell that strikes on every hour and half hours. It is also equipped with a self-maintaining power and a time equation that changes depending on the interval of solar day of a certain season. This clock is a successful result of Berthoud's collaboration with Balthazar Lieutaud, a renowned marquetry master. It was Philippe Caffieri who created the gild adornments, the bronze and brass linings, and urn.
l Louis XV Rococo Bracket Clock. This clock is another exquisitely made French clocks which features an 8-movement with a sign on white enamel dial. The bell moves by striking on hourly and quarterly manner, and this is equipped with a pull repeat mechanism. A gilt bronze design of flaking dragons and a cupid that hold an hourglass over the dial, and a pair of lions head down the waist are all embellished in its case.
l 18th century Berthoud mantle clock. This was an intricately designed mantle clocks that resulted from a collaboration of Berthoud with the artisan Monginot. It displays figures of frolicking cupid with instruments. Its unique French artistry appeal was even more improved with the classical image draping around the cupids.
Some of Berthoud's masterpieces are displayed in different museums in Europe, such as the fine cartel clock which can be found in the Mobilier National, Paris; the shelf clock which can be found in The National Watch and Clock Museum was donated by New York University; and the Golden Watch is housed in the Stockholm National Museum. Other works of Ferdinand Berthoud are displayed in State Museum of Prehistory in Dresden and Guildhall Museum.