Unveiled in September 2025, Naissance d’une Montre 3 has swiftly become one of the most celebrated creations in contemporary horology. More than a watch, it represents a profound act of preservation—an ode to traditional craftsmanship at a time when the industry is increasingly shaped by automation. Crafted entirely by hand using only conventional tools, the timepiece reaffirms the enduring value of manual expertise, echoing the spirit of Ferdinand Berthoud and the credo engraved on its movement: “Au temps qui instruit.”
The project’s significance was validated almost instantly when its first unique piece, made of stainless steel, set a historic record at Phillips in Geneva. Selling for CHF 1,270,000, it became a symbol of collectors’ deep fascination with watchmaking that not only tells time but embodies it. The remarkable result also signaled a renewed appreciation for watches born from human touch, patience and mechanical purity—values often overshadowed in today’s fast-paced market.
Just days after its auction triumph, the watch received the Jury Prize at the Watch of the Year 2025 awards in Paris. Selected from a pool of 190,000 votes and judged by a panel of international journalists, this accolade reflected the broader horological community’s admiration. Naissance d’une Montre 3 stood out not for spectacle, but for substance—a celebration of knowledge, passed down through generations and revived with extraordinary discipline.
The Time Æon Foundation—custodian of traditional watchmaking techniques—further cemented the watch’s legitimacy. Following a rigorous audit, it certified that every step in the manufacturing process adhered faithfully to ancestral methods. No CNC machines, no digital intervention—only human skill, patience and mastery. This recognition positions Naissance d’une Montre 3 as a rare contemporary example of true artisanal horology.
Adding to its achievements, the FB-BTC.FC calibre earned COSC chronometer certification with exceptional results. Among its standout features was an almost imperceptible variation in precision per degree Celsius, a testament to the efficiency of its Invar-and-brass bimetallic balance—an engineering marvel inspired by 19th-century marine chronometers. Together with its constant-force fusée-and-chain mechanism, the movement pays homage to Ferdinand Berthoud’s Astronomical Watch No. 3 from 1806.
Encased in a 44 mm form that seamlessly blends historical references with modern presence, Naissance d’une Montre 3stands as a physical manifesto. It embodies the mission that began the project six years ago: ensure that the skills required to make a watch from scratch—by hand—are never lost. Eighty artisans contributed over 11,000 hours to realise this vision, a testament to collaboration as much as craft.
With only 11 examples in existence, the series will continue with ten fully handcrafted pieces produced at a pace of two per year beginning in 2026. A portion of the proceeds from the first auction will fund educational programs dedicated to Haute Horlogerie and precision micromechanics—ensuring that the very knowledge used to create this masterpiece will be passed forward. In this sense, Naissance d’une Montre 3 is more than a collectible: it is a cultural legacy, a commitment to time as both teacher and treasure.
