The first evening of the SIAR 2016 high-end watch and jewellery show in Madrid featured an exclusive presentation of a first timepiece from Chronométrie FERDINAND BERTHOUD.

The discerning collectors attending the dinner were able to admire two versions of the Chronomètre FERDINAND BERTHOUD FB 1, while rediscovering 18th century watchmaking techniques. They were fascinated by the story of Ferdinand Berthoud and the reasons that led the Spanish government to order no less than eight longitude clocks from Ferdinand Berthoud that were produced between 1774 and 1776 in its Louvre-based workshops.

For this third Madrid edition of the SIAR, the organisers had chosen a remarkable exhibition setting within a luxurious mansion, the Palacete Fernando El Santo, built in the second half of the 19th century by the famous architect and town-planner Carlos María de Castro.

Thirteen watch brands presented more than 600 models to an attentive audience. For the first time in Spain, Chronométrie FERDINAND BERTHOUD was presenting the Chronomètre FB 1, which stirred keen interest among Haute Horlogerie connoisseurs and specialised journalists.

The three-day exhibition closed with a prize-giving ceremony honouring the finest watches on show at the Salon. The Spanish debut of the Chronomètre FB 1 earned it the highest distinction awarded by the jury: the “Mejor Reloj” (best watch) prize, thereby confirming its considerable success among SIAR visitors.