FERDINAND BERTHOUD

Background

He was born in Plancemont, Neuchatel, Switzerland, on Mar. 19, 1727. In 1745 he moved to Paris, where he lived for the rest of his life..He died on June 20, 1807.

Career

Among the many types of watches he made, his favorite was one with an unusual dial and a unique hand action. The minute hand was mounted in the center of the lower half of the dial and traveled the usual complete circle over minute markings. The separate hour hand, mounted in the center of the dial, started its motion toward the right from what normally would be nine o'clock. The point was numbered VI, and 12 hours were marked off to another VI at the usual three o'clock position. When the hour hand reached VI on the right, it was snapped back to the VI on the left by a spring, ready to start over again.

Achievements

• For his advances in the mechanisms of marine clocks he was made a member of the French Institute and of the Royal Society, London.

Works

• book

  • raitéTraite des horloges marines

  • Essai sur l'horlogerie

  • istoire de la mesure du temps par les horloges

Connections

He had married twice, firstly Mademoiselle Chati of Cean, and then Mademoiselle Dumoustier of Saint Quentin, but had no children. His business passed to his nephew, Louis Berthoud (1759–1813).

1-st wife:

Mademoiselle Chati of Cean

2-nd wife:

Mademoiselle Dumoustier of Saint Quentin

nephew:

Louis Berthoud