Greubel Forsey

One of the highlights of the SIHH 2016 watch trade show that took place in Geneva last week, was the Signature 1 – watchmaker Greubel Forsey’s first-time-only watch. To design this so-called “entry-level” timepiece – with the usual immaculate execution of a Greubel Forsey – it took Didier J.G. Cretin, a long-time watchmaker at the company, and his team, 6 years to develop. Notably, the balance wheel and gold dial were all developed in-house. In regards to finishing, the hands, which are gold or steel, depending on the case – were countersunk and finished by hand. The oversized balance wheel (which measures 12.6 mm) features an expertly applied black polish, as does the bridge which supports it. Geneva stripes surround the diamond bevelled gold dial. The nickel silver bridges are frosted, as is the main plate. However instead of a

High-end timepieces are often compared to artwork, due to the nature of their creation, namely that fact that components require the hands of a skilled artisan to craft, finish, and sometimes the dials even feature miniature paintings (called enamel-work). Not to mention that timepiece at this level are sold in limited quantities. Well, Greubel Forsey took this idea a step further with Art Piece 1, a very limited series of watches featuring art work from nano-sculpture artist Williard Wigan set right inside the timepiece. In a recent discussion with brand co-founder Stephen Forsey, he told PROFESSIONAL WATCHES that in order to properly view the nano-sculpture, which is the size of a need pin head, they had to manufacture a special lens system small enough to fit inside the crown, yet sharp enough to properly magnify the sculpture. The result is

In 2005, Greubel Forsey introduced the Double Tourbillon 30° which featured one tourbillon cage completing a rotation every 60-seconds (at an angle of 30°), inside an outer cage with a four minute rotation. This was the brand’s first horological creation, and is the basis for the Double Tourbillon 30° Technique Platinum Bi-Color (pictured). The large platinum case has a fixed, stepped bezel and measures 47.5 mm by 16.84 mm. Greubel Forsey’s philosophy is engraved on black ADLC-treated plates which are screwed to the sides of the case. The central hands, which have been skeletonized and feature large arrow shaped tips with white luminous material, indicate hours and minutes. The hours are marked by indexes that are hand applied to a sapphire chapter ring. At 9 o’clock is a small seconds subsidiary display. And at 3 o’clock is a power reserve

In 2011, Greubel Forsey introduced the GMT, a timepiece that goes well beyond a conventional second time zone watch by incorporating a terrestrial globe completing each anti-clockwise rotation in 24h – the same direction in which our planet spins. Today, in advance of its official SIHH 2015 debut, we bring you an exclusive hands-on look at the latest version: the GMT Black. The GMT Black comes in the same asymmetrical-shaped case as the original (43.5 mm by 16.14 mm), but now in ultra-light titanium with a vacuum deposited black ADLC coating. And while Greubel Forsey did not have the exact weight available, in my hand, the gold version feels approximately twice as heavy as the titanium. The amorphous diamond-like carbon (ADLC) coating is much harder than natural titanium and is highly resistant to scratches. The top of the case and

Greubel Forsey recently announced a new version of their Tourbillon 24 Seconds Contemporain, a watch that was originally introduced in 2012. With a case size of 43.5 mm in diameter by 15.2 mm high, it is one of the most wearable timepieces in the Greubel Forsey lineup, and in our opinion, one of the best looking. They took what was already a great watch and lightened the movement by using natural titanium for the main plate and some of the bridges, much like the new Zenith El Primero which also features a titanium mainplate and bridges.

Introduced in Geneva last month, the Greubel Forsey Art Piece 1 is an amazing collaboration between watchmaker and artist. It features a 30° inclined double tourbillion, combined with a micro-scultpture, created by renowned artist Willard Wigan. The sculptures that Wigan creates are so small they are not even visible to the naked eye. So small intact, that Greubel Forsey had to build a microscope into the timepiece. This is unchartered territory, so it was no easy task to produce a microscope that has a large opening and enough light for a human eye to see in, without making the optic too big that it would ruin the proportions of the timepiece.

More than likely, you've already read about the Gruebel Forsey GMT Tourbillon and its rotating universal time globe, but chances are you haven't read about Greubel Forsey's other big SIHH introduction, the Tourbillon 24 Seconds Contemporain.

Introducing the new Greubel Forsey GMT, a timepiece which marks the first time the brand has made a complication other than a tourbillon. If you're a tourbillon fan, no need to be concerned, though, it has a tourbillon too. The GMT features a 2nd time zone GMT display, 24-second tourbillon, rotating globe with universal time display, 24 time zone worldtime display, summer time indicator, worldtime disc with summer time zones, day-and-night indicator, power reserve display, hours and minutes display, small seconds indicator and a equatorial sapphire crystal lateral window. The new GMT is powered by the GF05 Caliber has 436 parts, with 50 jewels (olived-domed jewels in gold chatons) and a 72-hour power reserve. Energy is stored in two coaxial series-coupled fast-rotating barrels (1 turn is 3.2 hours), one of which is equipped with a slipping spring to avoid excess