Greubel Forsey Signature 1

Introduced in 2016 after six years of R&D, the Signature 1 timepiece by Greubel Forsey combines simplicity and extreme sophistication. For each Signature creation, one talented watchmaker elaborates his or her timepiece within Greubel Forsey’s universe.

Drawing on the resources such as components, the watchmaker operates following Greubel Forsey’s philosophy, and benefit from the skills and expertise specific to the watchmaking Atelier. This framework guarantees Greubel Forsey’s characteristic standards of excellence, both in terms of technical craftsmanship and aesthetics.

While creating the timepiece, the watchmaker expresses him or herself within this structure, while enjoying a considerable amount of freedom, particularly regarding technical, architectural and decorative aspects of the Timepiece. This watchmaker will co-sign the creation with Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey.

This new series once again testifies to Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey’s commitment to inscribe their approach of contemporary watchmaking with a project aimed at preserving the heritage of watchmaking excellence by passing on knowledge.

The “Naissance d’une Montre” project is also aimed at perpetuating expertise that has been passed down through generations.

Didier J.G. Cretin – a brilliant watchmaker and long-time team member at Greubel Forsey – created this new line with a unique and original Timepiece, the Signature 1.

For the first time in the history of Greubel Forsey, he has created a manually wound watch with three hands, featuring an exclusively designed Greubel Forsey balance wheel and a gold dial. The hands are finished and countersunk by hand.

The Greubel Forsey Signature 1 watch will be released in a unique edition of 33 pieces in gold and platinum. In addition to this, 33 steel-cased pieces are available by advance order.

Featured here are white gold and 5N red gold versions. Both of them have white silvered gold dial with polished blue steel hour and minute hands. Each timepiece comes with a black alligator leather strap with 18k gold pin buckle.

Technical details

Model: Greubel Forsey Signature 1

Limited Edition
11 pieces in white gold, 11 pieces in 5N red gold, 11 pieces in platinum and 33 pieces in steel

Movement Specifications

Hand-wound Calibre GFS1 movement
Greubel Forsey timepiece with 3 hands (hour, minute and small second) co-created with Didier J. G. Cretin • GREUBEL FORSEY balance wheel system

Movement
Diameter: 34.40 mm
Thickness: 7.40 mm

Number of parts
Complete movement: 190 parts
Escapement platform: 61 parts
Number of jewels: 21; Olived-domed jewels in gold chatons

Power reserve: 54 hours

Barrel
Barrel equipped with a fixed mainspring-bridle Winding system with sliding click
Black polished click incorporated into the barrel bridge
Snailed click wheel and ratchet, polished and bevelled ratchet teeth

Balance: In-house variable-inertia with 6 gold mean-time screws (12.60 mm diameter)
Frequency: 18’000 vibrations/hour
Balance spring: Phillips terminal curve; Geneva-style stud
Main plates: Nickel silver, frosted and spotted, with straight-grained flanks, polished bevelling and countersinks, large polished inclined facets, black PVD treatment

Bridges
Nickel silver, Côtes de Genève, frosted and spotted, with straight-grained flanks, polished bevelling and countersinks, large polished inclined facets, nickel-palladium treatment
Circular-grained steel barrel bridge, hand-polished bevelling and countersinks
Gold plate engraved with the individual number

Escapement platform
Straight graining steel escapement platform, hand-polished bevelling and countersinks
Polished steel pillars
Flat black polished steel balance wheel bridge, hand-polished bevelling and countersinks

Gearing
Involute circle profile

Displays
Hours and minutes
Small seconds

Case
In 18k gold, platinum 950 or steel with convex synthetic sapphire crystal
Diameter: 41.40 mm
Thickness: 11.70 mm
Transparent back with synthetic sapphire crystal
Raised engraving “Signature 1” and “Greubel Forsey”
Gold security screws
Polished and straight-grained bezel
Polished and straight-grained caseband
Hand-engraved individual number (for the 18k gold and platinum 950 versions)
Water-resistant: 3 atm – 30 m – 100 ft (standard NIHS 92-20/SN ISO 22810:2010)
Crown: In 18k gold, platinum 950 or steel with engraved and black lacquered GF logo

Dial
18k gold versions: White silvered gold, GREUBEL FORSEY, hours and minutes in black, diamond finished bevel
Stainless steel version: Black-anthracite gold dial, GREUBEL FORSEY, hours and minutes in white, diamond finished bevel
Platinum 950 version: Black-anthracite gold dial, GREUBEL FORSEY, hours and minutes in white, diamond finished bevel
Small second in white silvered gold, diamond finished bevel

Hands
18k gold and steel versions: hour and minute hands in polished blued steel, hand-polished countersinks
Platinum 950 version: hour and minute hands in polished gold, hand-polished countersinks
Small second in polished blued steel, hand-polished countersink

Strap and clasp
Hand-sewn, alligator and leather
18k gold, platinum 950 or steel pin buckle, hand-engraved Greubel Forsey logo (for the 18k gold and platinum 950 versions)