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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Time-only wristwatch

Ferdinand Berthoud FB 3SPC.1 Wristwatch

Partially verified

The Ferdinand Berthoud FB 3SPC.1 is a contemporary time-only wristwatch constructed with a white gold case and powered by the caliber FB-SPC. Its primary horological feature is the use of a cylindrical hairspring, designed to achieve concentric breathing to improve isochronism. The movement, which does not utilize a tourbillon, features hand-shaped terminal curves on the hairspring, verified under 20x magnification. The finishing of the movement components requires over 100 hours of labor by a single watchmaker, incorporating frosted sandblasted surfaces with beveled and hand-polished edges. The watch is presented as the first movement utilizing a cylindrical hairspring to receive an official COSC chronometer certificate according to standard ISO 3159. The case includes a lateral viewing aperture on the flank to observe the operation of the cylindrical balance spring. The watch is stated to be in excellent working order.

Front view of the Ferdinand Berthoud FB 3SPC.1 showing the open movement dial layout and white gold case.
Front view of the Ferdinand Berthoud FB 3SPC.1 showing the open movement dial layout and white gold case. — Zamanito. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Wristwatch · Time-only wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Ferdinand Berthoud
Reference
FB 3SPC.1
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
Not established
Source-reported place
سوئیس

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Movement and Escapement

The movement is caliber FB-SPC, a manually wound mechanism characterized by the integration of a cylindrical hairspring. Unlike traditional flat hairsprings, this configuration is intended to facilitate concentric breathing of the balance spring during operation. Each movement undergoes an extensive finishing process, which is reported to require over 100 hours of labor per unit.

The terminal curves of the hairspring are shaped by hand and subjected to quality control inspections using 20x magnification. The caliber is not equipped with a tourbillon, and the manufacturer cites it as the first movement featuring a cylindrical hairspring to satisfy the requirements for a COSC chronometer certificate, specifically following the ISO 3159 standard.

Evidence for this section
  • “تعداد سنگ‌های قیمتی: ۴۷ سنگ (طبق درج روی موتور)”
  • “کالیبر FB-SPC فاقد توربیلون بوده و هر دو منحنی انتهایی فنر مویی آن با دست شکل داده شده و تحت بزرگ‌نمایی ۲۰ برابر بررسی شده‌اند”
  • “برند فردیناند برتود کالیبر FB-SPC را نخستین موتور مجهز به فنر مویی استوانه‌ای می‌داند که موفق به دریافت گواهی کرونومتر از COSC بر اساس استاندارد سخت‌گیرانه ۳۱۵۹ شده است”

Case and Dial

The watch features a case fabricated from white gold. A functional aspect of the design includes a lateral aperture located on the side of the case, which provides a direct line of sight to the cylindrical hairspring mechanism inside.

The dial layout utilizes a skeletonized configuration that reveals the underlying movement plates and bridges. The surfaces of the movement are finished with a fine sandblasted matte texture, accented by beveled and hand-polished edges.

Evidence for this section
  • “بدنه این ساعت طبق عنوان از طلای سفید ساخته شده و پنجره‌ای جانبی روی لبه قاب تعبیه شده تا امکان مشاهده کارکرد فنر استوانه‌ای فراهم باشد”
  • “سطوح موتور دارای پرداخت مات سندبلاست ریز با لبه‌های پخ‌خورده و پولیش دستی هستند”

Condition and Documentation

The watch is reported to be in excellent working condition. It is accompanied by documentation, including an official chronometer certificate confirming the testing process conducted over sixteen consecutive days.

The provided source text mentions the watch is provided with necessary papers but does not disclose information regarding historical service records or the original storage box.

Evidence for this section
  • “ساعت در وضعیت کارکرد عالی و همراه با اسناد و گواهی کرونومتری به نمایش درآمده است”

Open research questions

  • Is the cylindrical hairspring made of a specific proprietary alloy?
  • Does the lateral aperture employ a sapphire crystal insert or an open port?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Ferdinand Berthoud FB 3SPC.1 Wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerFerdinand Berthoud“سازنده: Ferdinand Berthoud”
ReferenceFB 3SPC.1“مدل / رفرنس: FB 3SPC.1”
Case MaterialWhite Gold“جنس قاب: طلای سفید (White Gold)”
CaliberFB-SPC“نوع کالیبر: FB-SPC”
Jewel Count47“تعداد سنگ‌های قیمتی: ۴۷ سنگ (طبق درج روی موتور)”
CertifictionCOSC Chronometer“گواهی کرونومتر: تاییدیه رسمی COSC تحت استاندارد NIHS 95-11 / ISO 3159”

Visible details

  • 47 jewels visible in movement
  • Lateral case aperture for movement viewing
  • Frosted sandblasted movement finish

Research qualifications

  • Historical provenance of individual watch not stated
  • Exact date of manufacture not provided

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

ساعت مچی Ferdinand Berthoud مدل FB 3SPC.1 با قاب طلای سفید و فنر رقاصک استوانه‌ای

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record c19a380dc2

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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