Greubel Forsey Art Piece 2 Edition 1
Unveiled during Baselworld 2016, the Greubel Forsey Art Piece 2 is a powerful tribute to the Double Tourbillon 30°, the first invention from Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey, and forms a subtle combination of artistic research and technological innovation.
Following on from Art Piece 1, the Art Piece 2 is dedicated to Greubel Forsey’s own universe, and particularly to the watchmaker’s history.
Housed in the case, an optical instrument allows the viewer to see a nano-engraved sketch of the Double Tourbillon 30º mechanism, Greubel Forsey’s first invention. This forms a subtle mise en abyme effect of the object within itself, given that this emblematic mechanism itself operates at the heart of this new timepiece. This original artwork was engraved by a secret process on a sapphire tablet.
The first impression, is above all a showcase for the artistry that characterises this timepiece, in which the indication of time becomes of secondary importance and resembles a sort of conjuring trick. It is in fact necessary to activate a pusher that controls a bi-stable shutter mechanism in order to obtain an indication of the hours and minutes.
We rediscover here the spirit that was already at work in the Invention Pieces, through which Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey developed for the first time the idea that a timepiece, rather than being just a simple watch, could become the distillation of an idea, and above all a means of artistic expression.
The Double Tourbillon 30º, with bi-stable display signed by Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey, will be produced in a strictly limited edition of just a few pieces per year.
The Art of Invention: this expression testifies to a forward-looking philosophy that has been the driving force for Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey for many years now, both in the field of scientific research as applied to fine watchmaking, and in that of aesthetic innovation. The Art of Invention imbues all Greubel Forsey creations, but is seen at its most effective in the astonishing series of Art Pieces they initiated in 2009.
Co-created with Willard Wigan, Art Piece 1 included a micro-sculpture by the British artist that could be viewed through a miniaturised “microscope”, these revolutionary optics, the design of which required several years of research and development.
Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey subsequently created a timepiece as a tribute to the off -beat universe of the Franco-American artist Robert Filliou, particularly noteworthy for its engraved maxim «Bien fait, mal fait, pas fait» (Well done, badly done, not done).
Technical details
Model: Greubel Forsey Art Piece 2 – Edition 1, In white gold – Millésimé
Movement specifications
Hand-wound movement with patented tourbillon
Timepiece featuring an exclusive miniaturised optical system highlighting the nano-engraved Double Tourbillon 30° invention on a synthetic sapphire crystal • Double Tourbillon 30° • hours and minutes on demand • power-reserve
Movement dimensions
Diameter: 36.40 mm
Thickness: 10.90 mm
Number of parts
Movement: 445 parts
Two tourbillon cages: 130 parts
Total weight of the two cages: 1.13 g
Number of jewels: 35; Olived-domed jewels in gold chatons
Chronometric power reserve: 72 hours
Barrels: Two series-coupled fast-rotating barrels (1 turn in 3.2 hours), one of which is equipped with a slipping spring to avoid excess tension
Balance wheel: Variable-inertia with white gold mean-time screws (10.70 mm diameter)
Frequency: 21’600 vibrations/hour
Balance spring: Phillips terminal curve; Geneva-style stud
Main plates: Nickel silver, spotted, with straight-grained flanks, nickel-palladium treatment
Bridges: Nickel silver, frosted and spotted with polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, nickel-palladium treatment; Movement side bridge with the founders’ signatures in relief by galvanic growth; Flat black polished steel tourbillon bridges, hand-polished bevelling and countersinks
Inner tourbillon: Inclined at a 30° angle, 1 rotation per minute
Outer tourbillon: 1 rotation in 4 minutes; Hand-bevelled and openworked cage pillars; Gold counterweight
Gearing: Involute circle profile; Conical gearing with profiled teeth
Displays
Hours and minutes on demand on discs
72 hours sectorial power reserve
Case
In white gold with convex synthetic sapphire crystal
Transparent back with asymmetrical synthetic sapphire crystal
Three-dimensional, variable geometry-shaped lugs
Raised polished engraving “Art Piece 2” and “Greubel Forsey” on a hand-punched background
Gold security screws
Polished bezel, caseband with hand-finished straight graining
White gold plate, engraved, hand-finished with texts, screwed to the caseband (crown side)
White gold pusher, hand-punched background
Hand-engraved individual number
Diameter: 44.00 mm
Thickness: 16.78 mm
Water-resistant: 3 atm – 30 m – 100 ft (standard NIHS 92-20/SN ISO 22810:2010)
Crown: In white gold with engraved and black lacquered GF logo
Optical device
Exclusive miniaturised lateral system
Magnification 23x
Focal setting
Steel barrel-polished upper bridge
Nano-etched synthetic sapphire of the Double Tourbillon 30° invention
Optimized environment for natural lighting with amphitheatre shaped components in polished gold
Dial
In patinated bronze, with window
Metallised synthetic sapphire shutter, operated by a bistable system hiding or revealing the time indications
Black stamp with the values “Invention – Architecture – Bienfacture”
“Greubel Forsey” engraved and black lacquered
Hands: Power-reserve in polished gold
Strap and clasp
Hand-sewn genuine leather
White gold folding clasp, hand-engraved with the GF logo
