Founded in 2004 although the relationship between its founders dates back to 1999, Greubel Forsey's numbers are impressive: twenty new calibers from scratch, seven inventions, one hundred watches per year and countless awards including two Gold Needles at the GPHG. And all this with a staff of one hundred people. Accustomed to working only in precious metals, this year they go one step further and announce their first model in steel. And I say “announce” and not “present” because this finish will arrive in two years.
Let's start at the beginning: in its constant search for new challenges (and what is, if not, Fine Watchmaking?) the young manufacture decided to take a turn towards simplicity with the Signature 1. Each of the Signature will bear the signature of a talented watchmaker who will develop a single piece within the Greubel Forsey universe and philosophy (and facilities), thus having all the technical resources of the Atelier while guaranteeing the brand's usual standards of excellence. With this project and with the so-called “Naissance d’une montre” is how Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey want to preserve watchmaking knowledge for future generations.
The one chosen for the Signature 1 was Dider J. G. Cretin, a brilliant watchmaker who has been part of the team for some time. Its creation is unusual in the collection since it is a “simple” three-hand manual-winding single hour. Of course, with a huge balance wheel conceived and created in the Manufacture like the rest of the caliber. The transparent background shows rarely seen architecture, with a three-armed bridge supporting the kite. The watch measures 41.5mm in diameter.
diameter by 11.4 in height and this is indeed unusual in G&F! What is common to all Greubel Forsey watches is their short run and very few units of this Signature 1 will be produced: 11 in rose gold, 11 in white gold, 11 in platinum and 33 in steel, which will be the last and for which the waiting list has already been opened. Prices range from 190,000 Swiss francs for platinum to 155,000 for steel, always before taxes.
The other novelty presented is the much more complex “Double balancer à Différentiel Constant”. And it is complex not only because it coordinates two regulatory bodies through a differential between them, it is because maintaining a case height within acceptable limits (13.38mm) with that three-dimensional architecture and the 30º inclined steering wheels (the company's trademark) is a notable achievement. The two balance wheels, 10mm in diameter with gold counterweights, have variable inertia and vibrate at
a frequency of 21,300 alternations per hour or 3 Hertz. Composed of a total of 285 parts, the movement is equipped with two coupled barrels that provide it with 72 hours of power reserve. Two gold bridges, 50 rubies, 4 minutes of differential rotation, 43mm diameter, 30 meters of water resistance, hundreds of hours of manual finishing (polished, beveled, enameled...) and only 33 units in white gold for 33 lucky people. In every way.
www.greubelforsey.com
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