search icon

Ferdinand Berthoud

Clockmaker

(1727 - 1807)

Berthoud is one of the most important Parisian horologists of the latter part of the 18th century and the early part of the 19th century. Trained in his brother’s workshop, he set up in business as an “ouvrier libre” in 1745; his “lettres de maîtrise” were registered in December 1753. Named “horloger-mécanicien du roy et de la marine”, as of 1764 he worked exclusively on marine chronometers, constructing watches and clocks for use on royal vessels. The author of numerous works on horology, he was held in great esteem by the French royalty, including Louis XVI, who purchased his tools and clocks for 30,000 livres. Like most of the best clockmakers of the time, he always collaborated with the finest artisans, including the bronziers and chasers Caffieri, Martincourt, Osmond, Saint-Germain and Gouthière. Today his work may be found in important public and private collections throughout the world, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Louvre Museum in Paris and the Pavlovsk Palace in Saint Petersburg.

Discover the clocks and antiquity art by Ferdinand Berthoud