The GMT Quadruple Tourbillon by Greubel Forsey is now available in a titanium version. Limited to 11 pieces, this ground breaking horological marvel incorporates new materials, new colours and new finishes.

The Quadruple Tourbillon is Greubel Forsey’s second Fundamental Invention and it averages out positional errors due to gravity in all situations, especially in stable wristwatch positions. To achieve this, the original tourbillon has been elevated to realise its full potential: inclined at 30°, doubled and then quadrupled.

The result, two synchronised Double Tourbillon 30° mechanisms, where a first cage, inclined at 30° and rotating in one minute, is nested within a second horizontal cage, completing a full rotation in four minutes. A spherical differential transmits the average timing rate of the four tourbillon cages, improving the overall chronometric performance of all the regulating organs.

The 46.5mm case of the GMT Quadruple Tourbillon is made of titanium, which is both stronger and lighter than steel, while also being extremely resistant to corrosion and magnetic fields. This exclusive limited edition in titanium with striking blue accents ensures modern and dynamic feel on the wrist.

The toughness of titanium presents a significant machining and hand finishing challenge for the components made from it, such as the GMT pusher or the folding clasp or the crown. In addition, new hand finishing details have been specially created for this timepiece.

The circular-grained hour ring with polished bevels and 72-hour chronometric power reserve indication appear for the first time in a brilliant blue. The mainplate is now frosted and spotted with polished bevelling, countersinks and straight-grained flanks, executed in a grey finish.

Set near eight o’clock, the rotating terrestrial globe in blue livery offers the simultaneous display of several different time zones: on the dial side, with a 24-hour ring around the Earth, for Day/Night indication and on the caseback side, displaying 24 major cities their respective time zones while distinguishing between those which use summer time (on a light coloured backdrop), and those which do not (on a dark backdrop).

The sapphire crystal window around the equator completes the timepiece, offering a complete view of the Earth in motion, with its continents immersed in the deep blue ocean waters, complementing the exquisite blue finish of the power reserve, hour circle and strap.

Technical details

Model: GMT Quadruple Tourbillon
Edition: 11 pieces in titanium

Movement

Hand-wound movement with 3 patents

Movement dimensions
• Diameter: 39.50mm
• Thickness: 13.00mm

Number of parts
• Movement: 705 parts
• Four tourbillon cages: 260 parts
• Total weight of the cages: 2.25g
• Spherical differential: 28 parts

Number of jewels
• 84
• Olived-domed jewels in gold chatons

Chronometric power reserve
• 72 hours

Barrels
• Three 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 (10.70mm diameter)

Frequency
• 21’600 vibrations/hour

Balance spring
• Phillips terminal curve
• Geneva-style stud

Main plates
• Nickel silver, frosted and spotted with polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, grey treatment

Bridges
• Nickel silver, frosted and spotted, polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, grey treatment
• Gold plate engraved with the individual number
• Flat black polished gold plates with relief engraved text, polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks
• Four flat black polished steel tourbillon bridges, hand-polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks

Inner tourbillons
• Inclined at a 30° angle, 1 rotation per minute

Outer tourbillons
• 1 rotation in 4 minutes
• Hand-bevelled and open-worked cage pillars
• 1 gold counterweight per double cage bearing the individual number of the timepiece

Gearing
• Involute circle profile
• Conical gearing with profiled teeth

Displays
• Hours and minutes
• Small seconds (mean performance)
• 72-hours power reserve on a sector
• 2nd time zone GMT
• 24 time zones universal time
• Rotating titanium globe with universal time
• Cities observing summer time
• Day-and-night

Exterior

Case
• In titanium with asymmetrical convex synthetic sapphire crystal
• Transparent back with asymmetrical convex synthetic sapphire crystal
• Lateral window with shaped synthetic sapphire crystal
• Three-dimensional, variable geometry-shaped lugs
• Raised polished engraving “GMT Quadruple” and “Greubel Forsey” on a hand-punched background
• Gold security screws
• Polished bezel, caseband with hand-finished straight graining
• Titanium GMT pusher with raised engraving on a hand-punched background
• Engraved individual number

Case dimensions
• Diameter: 46.50mm
• Height: 17.45mm

Water resistance of the case
• Water-resistant 3atm – 30m – 100ft (standard NIHS 92-20/SN ISO 22810:2010)

Crown
• In titanium with engraved GF logo

Dial
• Multi-level in gold, anthracite colour
• Gold hour-ring and power reserve, circular-grained with polished bevelling, blue treatment
• Gold hour markers
• GMT in gold, hand matt lapped
• Small second, circular-grained

Hands
• Hours and minutes in polished gold, with Super-LumiNova
• Small seconds in polished steel, black treatment
• Power-reserve in polished steel, hand-polished countersink
• 2nd time zone GMT indicator, red

Strap and clasp
• Rubber or hand-sewn alligator
• Titanium folding clasp, engraved with the GF logo

With their brand new GMT SPORT timepiece, Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey have pushed back the limits of ergonomics and wrist comfort. They have invented a totally new case form, perfectly round from above, while revealing the accentuated arched and ovoid shape from other angles.

The aerodynamics of this timepiece 4 patents are reinforced by its integrated lugs and strap resulting in distinct functional forms that perfectly ft any wrist. The sweeping satin finished bezel with Greubel Forsey’s values relief engraved on its outer bevel, follows this unique case shape. The curved profile of the 45 mm diameter case and ovoid sapphire crystal provide the perfect showcase for an entirely new movement architecture with an arched bridge and inclined gear train.

Already in 2015, the GMT Black paved the way for the GMT Sport. Building on this foundation, Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey have invented and now present the result, a lightweight and ultra-strong, profiled titanium case with ovoid bezel and integrated lugs to showcase the new movement. Water resistant to 100 meters, the new GMT Sport stands out as their most sport oriented timepiece to date.

The movement was constructed from scratch – from the suspended arched bridge for the hours and minutes display, to the unique showcase of the Tourbillon 24 Secondes and the universal time display with three-dimensional globe.

The display side of the GMT Sport presents classic Greubel Forsey architecture, an open, orchestrated theatre between suspended bridges, semi-apparent wheels and floating dials in three dimensions. In keeping with the sporting vocation of this timepiece, the focus is on legibility and efficiency. The hours and minutes are displayed by concentric open-worked hands whose curved profile follows the curvature of the case and movement.

Mounted on the suspended arch centre bridge with black treated openings, the gear train literally follows the curve of the bridge, overlooking the globe to drive the hour and minute hands. Ensuring excellent visibility in the dark, the triangular tips of the arrow-shaped hands and the markers on the minute-hour-ring are enhanced with luminescent coating.

Suspended three-dimensional displays and 11 o’clock combines the small seconds on a large rotating disc, and the second time zone display with a hand. These two coaxial displays with red triangular indexes underline this timepiece’s technicity. The 72-hour chronometric power reserve (ensured by two coaxial barrels in series) is indicated on a sector at 3 o’clock with its open-worked hand and highlighted red triangle. Housed underneath the arched bridge, the power reserve differential is subtly engraved with Greubel Forsey’s values. Whether they are visible on the dial side or concealed in the caseback side, each of the 435 components of this hand-wound movement, including titanium plates and bridges, respect the most demanding criteria of the Greubel Forsey Atelier and the teams utmost concern for the finest workmanship.

The 24 Seconds Tourbillon is showcased at 1 o’clock secured by its distinctive and highly polished tourbillon bridge with black finished openings. This third Fundamental Invention by Greubel Forsey in the field of the tourbillon (after the Double Tourbillon 30 ° and the Quadruple Tourbillon) stands out with its cage inclined at 25 ° completing one full rotation in 24 seconds.

The faster speed combined with the inventive cage inclination, significantly improves chronometric performance in a single-tourbillon system, with minimal movement height. This exclusive and patented configuration counters the disturbances induced on the movement by earth’s gravity, especially in stable positions. The rotating tourbillon cage housing the regulating organ has 88 components, for a weight of 0.38 grams – a feat made possible in particular by light alloy pillars and titanium bridges.

Precision and reliability summarise Greubel Forsey’s ground-breaking GMT mechanism, presented for the first time in 2011, with the GMT Black presented in 2015.

In this double-patented mechanism, the second time zone indication on the auxiliary dial between 10 and 11 o’clock is combined with a universal time display to intuitively read the current time anywhere in the world.

The remarkable innovation and striking spectacle of the terrestrial rotating globe – seen from above the North Pole – performs each complete anticlockwise turn on its axis in 24 hours. It’s surrounded by a sapphire crystal ring with 24-hour divisions; where the wearer can read local time for all longitudes, including the day / night indicator (light zone / dark zone).

On the caseback side of the GMT Sport, outer and central rings complete the sapphire cities disc to give UTC Universal and Summer Time for 24 cities in major time zones. This disc distinguishes those time zones applying summer time (on a light background) from those that do not (on a dark background).

Reviewing the ergonomics, the GMT’s functions use two pushers located on the left side of the case; one to select the second time zone and the other for synchronising the local time with the globe. The titanium and rubber crown also ensures optimum setting.

Created in a limited edition of 11 pieces, the GMT Sport with the key Greubel Forsey values in relief on the bezel has a black or blue rubber strap. A titanium folding clasp reinforces the comfort and ergonomics of this Greubel Forsey timepiece.

Technical details

Model: GMT Sport In Titanium, Limited edition

Special features
Hand-wound movement with 3 patents • Patents pending
GMT • 2nd time zone • rotating globe with universal time and day-and-night • universal time on 24 time zones • summer and winter time • cities observing summer time • GMT and Earth pushers • Tourbillon 24 Secondes • hours and minutes • small seconds • power-reserve

Movement

Movement dimensions
• Diameter: 36.90 mm
• Thickness: 13.18 mm

Number of parts
• Movement: 435 parts
• Tourbillon cage: 88 parts
• Weight of the cage: 0.38 g

Number of jewels
• 63
• Olived-domed jewels in gold chatons

Chronometric power reserve
• 72 hours

Barrels
• Two coaxial 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 gold mean-time screws (10 mm diameter)

Frequency
• 21’600 vibrations/hour

Balance spring
• Phillips terminal curve
• Geneva-style stud

Bridges and main plate
• Titanium
• Frosted and spotted, polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, black treatment
• Multi-level, suspended-arch bridge, polished with black treatment in relief, polished beveling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks
• Flat black polished tourbillon bridge with black treatment in relief, spotted, polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks

Tourbillon
• Inclined at a 25° angle, 24-seconds rotation
• Light alloy cage pillars
• Titanium cage bridges
• Gold counterweight

Gearing
• Involute circle profile
• Tangential inclined gear on fixed wheel and on escape wheel pinion
• Inclined gear and profiled teeth on intermediate wheels of the set-hands mechanism.

Displays

• Hours and minutes, on suspended-arch bridge
• Small seconds on disc
• 72-hours power reserve on a sector
• 24-seconds tourbillon rotation
• Rotating titanium globe with universal time
• Day-and-night
• 2nd time zone GMT
Movement side
• 24 time zones universal time
• Summer time

Exterior

Case
Titanium with curved synthetic sapphire crystal
Three-dimensional, variable geometry-shaped bezel with raised engraved text
Case-band diameter: 42.00 mm
Bezel diameter: 45.00 mm
Case height: 15.70 mm
Profiled lugs, screwed fixing
Engraved pushers
Transparent back with high domed synthetic sapphire crystal
Titanium security screws
Raised engraving “GMT Sport” and “Greubel Forsey”
Height on synthetic sapphire crystals: 17.80 mm
Water-resistant 10 atm – 100 m – 328 ft (standard NIHS 92-20/SN ISO 22810:2010)

Crown
Titanium and rubber with GF logo
Colour-coded rubber capping, interchangeable

Dial side
Three-dimensional, variable geometry hour-ring, with luminescent hours and minutes indexes
GMT indicator with raised engraving
Power-reserve indicator, engraved and lacquered
Tourbillon rotation indicator in gold
Rotating globe with fixed day-and-night UTC indicator in synthetic sapphire, engraved and lacquered

Movement side
Synthetic sapphire disc displaying city names surrounded by 2 rings (UTC engraved on the case / Summer time engraved on a gold movement plate, lacquered and hand matt-lapped)
“Summer time” plate with limitation number, raised engraving, hand matt lapped

Hands
Polished steel curved shape hours and minutes, with Super-LumiNova
2nd time zone GMT indicator, red triangle
Small seconds, fixed red triangle
Power-reserve indicator, in polished steel
Aluminium 24-seconds double-tipped hand, black treatment

Strap
Rubber with relief text
Titanium folding clasp, engraved GF logo

Before the Industrial Revolution and the advent of mass production, watch components had to be made one by one requiring very specific skills, tools and completely hand-operated machines. Today, with industrialization, excellence in hand craftsmanship has virtually disappeared and these skills are not even taught in schools.

Proudly displaying their expertise in true hand-watchmaking, Greubel Forsey presents Hand Made1, a horological masterpiece that revives ancient techniques, forgotten gestures and skills.

Hand Made 1 is an hours/minutes/seconds timepiece with a tourbillon. This creation took an uncharted course because simply replicating an existing calibre by hand was out of the question. The Hand Made 1 has been entirely created from scratch. The movement construction, traditional machining and hand-finishing specialists reflected at length on each of the 272 movement components and 36 case parts, understanding and concentrating on what the hand-made approach allows and how to get the very best out of it.

The Hand Made 1 therefore demanded a total overhaul of the creative process, involving the people who would make and decorate each component from the very beginning. This project’s daring was only matched by the creativity and inventiveness required to find new technical solutions. Some parts of the movement were redesigned in order to simplify them. Meanwhile for other mechanisms such as the tourbillon, the number of components had to be increased to allow each part to be made by hand. The timepiece’s relatively modest dimensions (43.5 mm in diameter and 13.5 mm thick) further heightened the difficulty of this task.

A landmark in the history of watchmaking, Hand Made 1 by Greubel Forsey, is an entirely handmade timepiece, from the movement to the case, to the leather strap, the dial and the hands –the only exceptions being the sapphire crystals, the case gaskets, the spring bars, the jewels, and the mainspring.

With 95% of this timepiece – including the hairspring – made using only hand-operated tools, Hand Made 1 by Greubel Forsey takes traditional watchmaking to a new unprecedented summit. Never before has a hand-made timepiece exhibited such a high level of workmanship and precision. This timepiece, unique in the history of watchmaking, is the fruit of a technical and human endeavour of epic proportions, enlisting extraordinary talents and setting the course for the future.

To achieve the 95% handmade level with such a high standard of excellence required an astronomical 6,000 hours of work for one single timepiece – the equivalent of three years man-hours, where this total time only takes into account the pure watchmaking – and not the creation and development time.

To obtain the 308 components of the Hand Made 1 respecting Greubel Forsey criteria, over 800 individual parts had to be made. It took almost 35 times longer to make the complete tourbillon cage than for a standard high-end tourbillon. When just a dozen operations on an automatic lathe effortlessly yield some 500 screws, a single screw, as small as it may be, requires up to 12 individual operations taking up to 8 hours to make just one.

Finally to hand make one wheel of the Hand Made 1 takes 600 times longer than that of a high-end industrial wheel. Greubel Forsey’s attention to detail naturally includes the performance of the timepiece. Here, Hand Made 1 displays unprecedented prowess for a hand-made watch, its performance certified by Greubel Forsey.

In this unique endeavour of Greubel Forsey’s handmade craftsmanship, each component tells a tale. It has its own development process and journey that makes it unique, undergoing long hours of cutting from the raw material guided only by the eye and the human hand. The technical and aesthetic perfection of this Hand Made 1 timepiece is immediately visible and in true Greubel Forsey style, it attributes equal importance to the invisible beauty of all the parts concealed inside the case.

The journey begins with the regulating organ, entirely produced by hand in Greubel Forsey’s workshops, including the balance spring, fashioned from an alloy in the Atelier. The balance spring is then rolled in a hand operated rolling mill (without computer assistance), a process that is certainly an endangered know how – only a few balance springs can be made at a time – whereas in contemporary industrial production, hundreds or thousands are automatically produced at once. The balance wheel is also entirely hand-made with an extraordinary standard of precision and finish.

The escape wheel, with its 20 individually-cut teeth, each with four surfaces that are later ground, is a true tour de force. Meanwhile the machining and finishes of the escape lever alone require a month and a half of work.

The hand making of the tourbillon carriage – with its 69 components weighing a total of 0.521 g – represented another sizeable challenge, as it is not possible to replicate the same geometry of a CNC machine on a traditional jig borer. An increased number of parts are consequently required to form this exquisite, almost airborne mechanism.

All the movement’s components are of course then hand finished true to the finest watchmaking tradition, including the bridges with their polished inner and outer vertical flanks, the unique “Gratté” mainplate, and the wheels with hand polished bevels top and bottom (40 sharp internal angles for a five-spoke wheel).

The open dial stands out with its hand-enamelled chapter rings, paired with elegant, finely shaped flame-blued steel hands. Naturally, the 18k white gold case is also, handmade, thanks to a pantograph mechanical lathe fitted with turning tools, before being patiently satin-finished on the sides and polished on the upper surfaces.

Created as just two or three timepieces per year, the Greubel Forsey Hand Made 1 is destined to become a new watchmaking landmark that unites both past and future. This new step towards the summit in the finest of craftsmanship is substantiated on the dial at 6 o’clock, where the inscription HAND MADE replaces the usual SWISS MADE.

The Double Tourbillon 30°, the first Fundamental Invention by Greubel Forsey, was presented in a timepiece at Baselworld in 2004. This proved a success for the independent Atelier, and seven years later, the Double Tourbillon 30° Technique won first prize at the Concours International de Chronométrie. The timepiece achieved a record score of 915 points out of 1000 with an average timing rate of between 0.3 and 0.8 seconds per day across the whole competition.

Now Greubel Forsey is presenting the Double Tourbillon 30° Technique in ceramic, an extraordinarily accurate timepiece that is both refined and robust.

The Double Tourbillon 30° at the heart of the timepiece contributes to its exceptional accuracy. Inside a cage which rotates in four minutes, a smaller cage containing the balance and spring assembly is inclined at an angle of 30° relative to the first cage and completes a revolution in 60 seconds. The combination of the 30° inclination with the different rotational speeds of the two tourbillons improves timekeeping by averaging out positional errors due to gravity in all usual wristwatch positions and especially in stable positions.

In the Double Tourbillon 30° Technique, four coaxial barrels coupled to a spherical power-reserve differential, provide a chronometric power reserve of 120 hours.

Inspired by the phenomena of transparency and light, Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey are pushing back the boundaries of horological architecture to draw the beholder deep inside an emblematic Greubel Forsey timepiece. For the first time encased in ceramic – a highly rigid material – this limited edition of 11 timepieces is made available to the US market.

The shades of the impressively finished and detailed blue ceramic case play with the light flooding through into the sapphire crystal movement. The timepiece has been reconstructed to incorporate these elements, requiring a very particular expertise and know-how. It now reveals the captivating spectacle of the two completely suspended cages of the Double Tourbillon 30° mechanism.

Transparency has always been an integral part of Greubel Forsey creations, and this proves particularly evident in the construction of the various editions of the Double Tourbillon 30° Technique – all presenting a panoptic view of the movement’s architecture. This Double Tourbillon 30° Technique in ceramic pushes back the boundaries of transparency even further by revisiting the construction of the entire timepiece to work with the specific constraints of sapphire crystal.

The eye can distinguish each element in marvellous detail. The small seconds and power reserve indicators in gold are finished in blue to present a contrasting effect against the frosted main plates and recall the glistening blue ceramic.

The hour and minute ring, as well as the 4-minute tourbillon-rotation indicator at 6 o’clock are both Immersive architecture made from sapphire to let the light into all levels of the mechanism. The hands are open-worked to further enhance the sense of light and transparency. Seemingly suspended in mid-air in a mystical dance, the Double Tourbillon 30° immediately attracts the attention of the viewer.

Having reconstructed the movement, Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey embraced the challenge of accommodating sapphire crystal elements, particularly complex to machine in three dimensions and to finish to achieve the unique geometry and exacting standards of a Greubel Forsey timepiece.

The two creator watchmakers took the movement to the architectural extreme, creating three-dimensional sapphire bridges that proved particularly challenging to realise. Machined from single blocks of sapphire, their flanks are polished using different grains, requiring highly specialised tools, exceptional precision and expertise. The bevelled angles reveal a matt finish that magnificently contrasts with the polished transparent surfaces of the sapphire.

Thanks to this transparency, the entirety of the wheels and pinions comprising the timepiece are laid bare to reveal unprecedented visual access to the movement architecture.

On the dial side, the tourbillon bridge, barrel bridge, differential bridge and power-reserve bridge have been removed and recreated in sapphire to showcase the timepiece’s inner mechanism. In order to incorporate these new elements, the movement had to be rethought. Even the restrictions imposed by screws were taken into consideration in this spirit of creation: The bridges are specially mounted to absorb shocks to which the sapphire could be subjected. The plates, bridges and the mechanical architecture are therefore entirely new.

On the caseback side, the three-dimensional gear train bridge reveals an unobstructed view of the magnificently finished architecture beneath. This unusually large bridge features a multi-level design with countersinks that allow the wheels to precisely imbricate with the sapphire. The entire mechanism radiates light to reward the beholder with an enchanting spectacle. The lower tourbillon bridge – also made from sapphire – exactly reproduces the steel bridge that originally adorned the Double Tourbillon 30° Technique, marking a major feat in sapphire workmanship.

This is the first time that Greubel Forsey showcases a movement inside a ceramic case, the making of which requires great precision. The material is compacted by pressing and shaped before firing, where a thermal process shrinks it by around 25%.

Ultimately, the case measures 48.40 mm in diameter and 17.77 mm in height. Once the elements have been sintered at a very high temperature, the ceramic solidifies, making the case extremely hard and therefore more difficult to work with. The material becomes extremely resistant to scratches and corrosion, meaning the finishing requires exceptional know-how.

From polishing to linear or circular satin finishing, the finishes refine the contours of the timepiece, perfecting it in the true Greubel Forsey spirit. The deep blue ceramic gives the Double Tourbillon 30° Technique a subtle shimmer, while its physical properties make it extremely resistant. Myriad colours, finishes and textures play across the blue ceramic case and the sapphire movement.

This iconic timepiece in blue ceramic with its new architecture is being released as a unique edition of 11 timepieces exclusively available to the US market.

It is supplied with a blue rubber strap, complete with a titanium folding clasp decorated with a hand-engraved Greubel Forsey logo. The crown – also in ceramic – features a tone-on-tone engraved Greubel Forsey logo.

Technical details

Model: Double Tourbillon 30° Technique Ceramic

Movement

Hand-wound movement with synthetic sapphire bridges
Patented tourbillon
Double Tourbillon 30° • hours and minutes • small seconds • outer tourbillon 4-minutes rotation • inner tourbillon 60-seconds • power-reserve

Movement dimensions
• Diameter: 38.40 mm
• Thickness: 12.15 mm

Number of parts
• Movement: 421 parts
• Two tourbillon cages: 132 parts
• Weight of the two cages: 1.17 g

Number of jewels
• 43
• Olived-domed jewels in gold chatons

Chronometric power reserve
• 120 hours

Barrels
• Four coaxial series-coupled fast-rotating barrels (1 turn in 3.2 hours), one of which is equipped with a slipping spring to avoid excess tension
• 22k gold cover with nickel-palladium treatment and relief engraving

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, frosted with polished beveling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, nickel-palladium treatment

Bridges
• Synthetic sapphire crystal, polished flanks
• Nickel silver, frosted and spotted with polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, nickel-palladium treatment
• Gold plate engraved with the individual number

Inner tourbillon
• Inclined at a 30° angle, 1 rotation per minute

Outer tourbillon
• 1 rotation in 4 minutes
• Hand-bevelled and open-worked cage pillars
• Gold counterweight

Gearing
• Involute circle profile
• Conical gearing with profiled teeth

Displays
Hours and minutes
Small seconds
120-hours power reserve on a sector
4-minutes outer tourbillon rotation
60-seconds inner tourbillon rotation

Case
Ceramic
Diameter: 48.40 mm
Height: 17.77 mm
Caseback, bezel and caseband machined from a block of ceramic, polished and straight grained, hand-finished
Three-dimensional, variable geometry-shaped lugs
Engraving “Double Tourbillon 30°” and “Greubel Forsey”
Engraved individual number
Water-resistant 3 atm – 30 m – 100 ft (standard NIHS 92-20/SN ISO 22810:2010)
Crown: Ceramic with engraved GF logo

Dial
Multi-level synthetic sapphire hour-ring, galvanic growth hour indexes, engraved and lacquered inner tourbillon rotation indicator
Small seconds and power-reserve indicators in gold, blue finish

Hands
Hours and minutes in polished gold, with Super-LumiNova
Small seconds, power-reserve (red triangles)
Engraved synthetic sapphire 4-minutes indicator

Strap and clasp
Rubber
Titanium folding clasp, engraved with the GF logo

Edition
Limited edition of 11 pieces

Huygen’s invention of the hairspring in 1675 was a milestone in the watchmakers’ long-running quest for precision. It did not however eliminate the issue of gravity, which is detrimental to the timing of watches, particularly in vertical positions. To seek to remedy this, Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747-1823) conceived the idea of housing the regulating organ (hairspring, balance wheel and escapement) within a rotating cage. By turning around its axis, generally in one minute, the cage carried the ‘heart’ of the watch through different successive positions, thereby averaging out timing variations. The tourbillon was born (1801).

Striving to improve chronometry still further, Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey reimagined the tourbillon principle and then developed their first three Fundamental Inventions: the Double Tourbillon 30° (2004), the Quadruple Tourbillon (2005) and the Tourbillon 24 Secondes (2006).

In their GMT Quadruple Tourbillon, the two watchmakers have chosen to revisit their second invention and to take it even further by combining it with a multiple time-zone display.

Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey have shown creative daring and boldness in uniting their second Fundamental Invention, the Quadruple Tourbillon, with their ground breaking interpretation of the GMT with its outsized rotating globe. Displaying three time zones along with a universal time function, this exceptional timepiece is distinguished by its three-dimensional architecture created with extreme attention to fine craftsmanship.

Working on the principle that the more different positions the regulating organ moves through, the more precise the timekeeping will be, Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey invented the Quadruple Tourbillon with a spherical differential.

Right from the original idea the concept was clear. While coupling four separate tourbillons would have been challenging, they sought a more compact solution. To save space in all three dimensions, they chose to construct the tourbillons in pairs within a unique system of compact cages, an extremely challenging feat. Each of these two systems is modelled on the Double Tourbillon 30°, with a first cage rotating in one minute and angled at 30°, fitted inside a second upright cage performing a full rotation in four minutes.

The combination of the inclination of the inner cage and the different rotational speeds of the two cages focuses on cancelling out the timing variations due to the earth’s gravitational attraction in all the usual positions a wristwatch can adopt, particularly in stable positions. The spherical differential serves to average the timing of the two autonomous oscillators and thus improve chronometric performance, a system for which two patents have been fled.

Having mastered the tourbillon, Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey have continued to investigate and reinterpret other horological mechanisms, notably a practical and much appreciated complication: simultaneous multiple time zones display. In 2011, the two Inventor Watchmakers expressed their own vision of this modern day function in the ground breaking timepiece aptly named the GMT, more recently joined by the GMT Earth. In this patented system, the second time zone indication on a separate subdial is paired with a universal time display providing an intuitive reading of the time around the world thanks to a world first: an outsized globe completing one full rotation every 24 hours, following planet Earth itself.

In bringing the Quadruple Tourbillon and the GMT mechanisms together, Greubel Forsey not only accomplished a major technical feat that led to the creation of a new hand-wound calibre comprising 705 parts, including three fast-rotating barrels. The Inventor Watchmakers also tackled this challenge from an architectural angle to create a timepiece in which the three-dimensional approach is expressed on many levels. The main hours/minutes dial between 1 and 2 o’clock forms the highest point of the dial, where it is underlined by the subtle asymmetry of the case and complemented by a 72-hour chronometric power-reserve display. The next level is it at 4 o’clock, with the coaxial small seconds and second time zone display which is adjustable in one-hour increments by means of a pusher. Located between 8 and 9 o’clock, observers can admire the spectacular sight of the Earth in motion, surrounded by a fixed 24 hours ring around the Equator and displaying local time for all the longitudes – simultaneously taking account of the day/night indicator (on respectively light/dark zones).

A lateral window in the asymmetrical section of the case provides an unprecedented view of the Equator and the Southern hemisphere. The four tourbillons gravitate in two pairs on either side of the blue planet, each featuring an open and transparent construction, secured by flat black polished bridges and adorned with gold chatons as well as hand-polished beveling and countersinks.

Universal time is visible through the case back, with a fixed 24-hour scale bearing day/night zones and a disk with three-letter abbreviations of 24 cities representing the various time zones. This disk also distinguishes between the time zones that implement Summer Time (Daylight Saving Time) appearing in a light colour; and those that do not (shown on a dark backdrop). The case back also provides a chance to admire the Quadruple Tourbillon as well as frosted bridges with jewels set in gold chatons. The two complex asymmetrical convex sapphire crystals protecting the dial and case back also called for the utmost expertise.

This masterpiece of contemporary aesthetics comes in a unique edition of 66 pieces. The first edition of 11 of which are in white gold, numbered from 01/11 to 11/11 on a plate in the centre of the dial.

Technical details

Model: GMT Quadruple Tourbillon
Unique edition of 66 pieces
11 pieces in white gold

Movement
Hand-wound movement with 3 patents
GMT • 2nd time zone • rotating globe with universal time and day-and-night • universal time on 24 time zones • cities observing summer time • lateral window showing the equator and southern hemisphere • GMT pusher • Quadruple Tourbillon • hours and minutes • small seconds • power-reserve
Diameter: 39.50 mm
Thickness: 13.00 mm
Number of parts
• Movement: 705 parts
• Four tourbillon cages: 260 parts
• Total weight of the cages: 2.25 g
• Spherical differential: 28 parts
Number of jewels: 84; Olived-domed jewels in gold chatons
Chronometric power reserve: 72 hours
Barrels: Three 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 plate: Nickel silver, frosted and spotted with polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, nickel-palladium treatment
Bridges: Nickel silver, frosted and spotted, polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, nickel-palladium treatment; Gold plate engraved with the individual number; Flat black polished gold plates with relief engraved text, polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks; Four flat black polished steel tourbillon bridges, hand-polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks

Inner tourbillons
• Inclined at a 30° angle, 1 rotation per minute
Outer tourbillons
• 1 rotation in 4 minutes
• Hand-bevelled and open-worked cage pillars
• 1 gold counterweight per double cage bearing the individual number
Gearing
• Involute circle profile
• Conical gearing with profiled teeth

Displays
Hours and minutes
Small seconds (mean performance)
72-hours power reserve on a sector
2nd time zone GMT
24 time zones universal time
Rotating titanium globe with universal time
Cities observing summer time
Day-and-night

Case
In white gold with asymmetrical convex synthetic sapphire crystal
Diameter: 46.50 mm
Height: 17.45 mm
Transparent back with asymmetrical convex synthetic sapphire crystal
Lateral window with shaped synthetic sapphire crystal
Three-dimensional, variable geometry-shaped lugs
Raised polished engraving “GMT Quadruple” and “Greubel Forsey” on a hand-punched background
Gold security screws
Polished bezel, caseband with hand-finished straight graining
White gold GMT pusher with raised engraving on a hand punched background
Hand-engraved individual number
Water-resistance: 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

Dial
Multi-level in gold, anthracite colour
Gold hour-ring, circular-grained with polished bevelling, black treatment
Gold hour markers
Power-reserve and GMT in gold, hand matt lapped
Small second, circular-grained

Hands
Hours and minutes in polished gold, with Super-LumiNova
Small seconds in polished steel, black treatment
Power-reserve in polished steel, hand-polished countersink
2nd time zone GMT indicator, red

Strap
Hand-sewn alligator
White gold folding clasp, hand-engraved with the GF logo

In creating the Balancier Contemporain, a white gold 33-piece limited edition, Greubel Forsey imagined providing a particularly compact showcase for its exclusive balance-wheel system. Creating such a moderately-sized new movement and dial imposed the challenge of maintaining well-balanced forms and pleasing proportions, along with clear legibility and cutting-edge performance. Mission accomplished with this powerfully structured timepiece featuring all the Greubel Forsey signature characteristics.

Inventor Watchmakers Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey have made their mark on watchmaking history through a number of mechanical creations, notably the Double Tourbillon 30°, the Quadruple Tourbillon, the GMT, the QP à Équation with its Mechanical Computer, along with the Différentiel d’Égalité and the Grande Sonnerie. Artists at heart, they set the scene for these Fundamental Inventions through timepieces featuring unprecedented aesthetics, mastering asymmetry and balance to provide fresh momentum and playing with depth and volume in exploring all three dimensions. Each of these unique architectural accomplishments is crafted with extreme attention to detail with a particularly consummate skill applied to hand finishing. The result is a unique universe perfectly embodied in the new Balancier Contemporain.

This highly original creation is distinguished by its 39.6 mm diameter, a first from Greubel Forsey which generally builds larger timepieces. The challenge here was not only to house the large balance wheel within a limited space, but above all to achieve optimal proportions and an attractive three-dimensional construction, as well as safeguarding the emblematic aesthetic codes of the timepieces built within the Atelier.

Since 2004, Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey have devoted a significant amount of time to opening up whole new horizons for the most daring mechanical complications. They have also turned their attention to the “fundamentals” of watchmaking, investigating them in a spirit of efficiency and perfection. 2017 saw the unveiling of an exclusively designed balance wheel system, entirely developed and crafted in the Greubel Forsey Atelier just outside La Chaux-de-Fonds. The innovative balance wheel is distinguished by its large 12.6 mm diameter ensuring optimal timekeeping stability. To enable fine adjustment of its moment of inertia, the balance rim is fitted with six gold mean-time screws, recessed in order to guarantee optimal aerodynamics by reducing air friction. This results in enhanced chronometric performance and facilitates adjusting by the watchmaker. This exclusive regulating organ was initially launched in a limited edition named ‘Balancier’, within Greubel Forsey’s iconic asymmetrical case in a white gold 43.5 mm diameter version measuring 13.94 mm high.

With the Balancier Contemporain, Greubel Forsey is offering an entirely new movement within the compact 39.6 mm-diameter, 12.21 mm-high case. An original and engaging display of three-dimensional architecture, this timepiece is suited to all wrists and asserts itself as a new creation in its own right. While maintaining the emblematic large balance wheel, the Inventor Watchmakers entirely rethought this new movement construction so as to trim the dimensions without compromising performance in any way. The manual-winding calibre comprises 255 components, all crafted and finished in the Greubel Forsey spirit of the finest workmanship. It is endowed with a 72-hour power reserve ensuring chronometric performance by means of two series-coupled fast-rotating barrels– one of which is equipped with a slipping spring to avoid excess tension. The movement is also equipped with a crown-activated ‘stop balance’ system enabling time-setting to the nearest second. The white gold case flows into three-dimensional lugs formed from geometry – a subtle and elegant expression of creative skill. These original volumes are accentuated by alternating finishes – polished bezel and lugs, satin-brushed caseband and caseback – creating a play on contrasts that has become a signature of Greubel Forsey timepieces.

The entirely reimagined display side plays with split levels as well as various materials and finishes. In this three-dimensional transparent architecture, drawing the gaze into a rotational movement, each of the indications is perfectly highlighted so as to ensure optimal legibility. The offset hours/minutes dial appears at 2 o’clock with its blued steel hands featuring hand-polished countersinks and flat polished centres, along with its apertures revealing the exclusive Greubel Forsey balance wheel, gear train and three-dimensional tripod bridge. At 10o’ clock, on a slightly lower level, a finely hand-frosted bridge houses the power-reserve display graced by a slender blued steel hand. Just below it, between 8 and 9 o’clock, the small seconds rotates steadily, supported by a frosted and bevelled bridge providing a glimpse of the gilded barrel drum with Greubel Forsey engraving. Proudly showcased at 6 o’clock in keeping with its stature, the exclusive balance wheel is set against the background of a bridge meticulously hand-polished by an experienced craftsman to obtain the famous mirror polish that is a supreme goal for watchmakers. The balance wheel pivots at the top in a slim, carefully bevelled and flat black-polished bridge. This perfectly balanced composition is framed by a slim white gold bezel, while a high-domed sapphire crystal ensures optimum transparency.

Despite being generally hidden from sight, the caseback side of the new Balancier Contemporain, a work of art in itself, is protected beneath a high-domed sapphire crystal and crafted with the same expertly mastered artisanal touch embodied in all Greubel Forsey timepieces. The centre is occupied by an engraved circular red gold plate bearing the GF logo and the individual limited-edition number.

It is surrounded by a white gold bridge, relief engraved with the key Greubel Forsey values and black polished. This credo is further enhanced by characteristic olive-domed jewels in gold chatons, with finely polished countersinks reflecting the deep red hue of the stones. Held by gold security screws, the caseback is signed with raised polished engraving – “Greubel Forsey” and “Balancier” – on a hand-punched background. This timepiece is fitted with a hand-sewn leather or alligator strap, secured by a white gold pin buckle hand-engraved with the Greubel Forsey logo.

Greubel Forsey pairs the launch of the Balancier Contemporain with the diamond set edition becoming a sparkling sculpture where mother-of pearl dials underline its elegance. This lustrous new creation stands out like the Balancier Contemporain for its compact size and its exclusive balance wheel system.

Its unique proportions are enhanced by the radiance of the diamonds where the bezel, case band, lugs and crown are all invisibly set with the finest IF / D-E quality baguette-cut diamonds. This diamond set edition is fitted with an alligator or rubber strap and the gold pin buckle or folding clasp with the hand engraved Greubel Forsey logo is also invisibly set with baguette diamonds.

Technical details

Balancier Contemporain, Limited edition of 33 pieces in white gold, Hand-wound movement : Timepiece with four hands • hours and minutes • small seconds • power-reserve • GREUBEL FORSEY balance wheel system • stop balance

Movement

Movement dimensions
• Diameter: 32.40 mm
• Thickness: 9.20 mm

Number of parts
• Movement: 255 parts

Number of jewels
• 33
• 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
• Barrel with relief engraving “Greubel Forsey”

Balance wheel
• In-house variable-inertia with 6 gold mean-time screws (12.60 mm diameter)
• Stop balance activated by crown

Frequency
• 21’600 vibrations/hour

Balance spring
• Phillips terminal curve
• Geneva-style stud

Main plates
• Titanium, frosted and spotted, straight-grained flanks

Bridges
• Nickel silver, frosted and spotted with polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, nickel-palladium treatment
• Power-reserve bridge with galvanic growth
• Flat black polished steel balance wheel bridge, hand-polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks
• Flat black polished gold plate under the balance wheel, polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks
• Flat black polished gold plate on the movement side with relief engraved text, polished beveling and countersinks, straight grained flanks with apparent gold chatons
• Central gold plate, “GF” engraved with the individual number

Gearing
• Involute circle profile

Displays
• Hours and minutes
• Small seconds
• 72-hours power reserve on a sector

Exterior

Case
• In white gold with high domed synthetic sapphire crystal
• Transparent back with high domed synthetic sapphire crystal
• Three-dimensional, variable geometry-shaped lugs
• Raised polished engraving “Balancier” and “Greubel Forsey” on a hand-punched background
• Gold security screws
• Hand-polished bezel, caseband with hand-finished straight graining
• Hand-engraved individual number

Case dimensions
• Diameter: 39.60 mm
• Height: 12.21 mm

Water resistance of the case
• 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

Dial
• Multi-level in gold, rhodium-coloured, black lacquered hour-ring and minute-circle, with a visual opening for the balance wheel, polished bevel
• Small seconds in gold, rhodium-coloured, polished bevel
• Power-reserve in gold, engraved and black lacquered, hand matt lapped

Hands
• Hours and minutes, small seconds and power-reserve in polished blued steel, hand-polished countersinks

Strap and clasp
• Hand-sewn alligator
• White gold pin buckle, hand-engraved with the GF logo

Diamond Set Balancier Contemporain, In white gold or in 5N red gold with IF / D-E quality baguette-cut diamonds, Hand-wound movement: Timepiece with four hands • hours and minutes • small seconds • power-reserve • GREUBEL FORSEY balance wheel system • stop balance

Movement

Movement dimensions
• Diameter: 32.40 mm
• Thickness: 9.20 mm

Number of parts
• Movement: 255 parts

Number of jewels
• 33
• 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
• Barrel with relief engraving “Greubel Forsey”

Balance wheel
• In-house variable-inertia with 6 gold mean-time screws (12.60 mm diameter)
• Stop balance activated by crown

Frequency
• 21’600 vibrations/hour

Balance spring
• Phillips terminal curve
• Geneva-style stud

Main plates
• Nickel silver, frosted and spotted, straight-grained flanks, nickel-palladium treatment
Bridges
• Nickel silver, frosted and spotted with polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, nickel-palladium treatment
• Flat black polished steel balance wheel bridge, hand-polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks
• Flat black polished gold plate on the movement side with relief engraved text, polished beveling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks with apparent gold chatons
• Central gold plate, “GF” engraved with the individual number

Gearing
• Involute circle profile

Displays
• Hours and minutes
• Small seconds
• 72-hours power reserve on a sector

Exterior

Case
• In white gold or in 18k 5N red gold with high domed synthetic sapphire crystal
• Bezel and caseband, invisibly set with baguette-cut diamonds
• Three-dimensional, variable geometry-shaped lugs, invisibly set with baguette-cut diamonds
• Transparent back with high domed synthetic sapphire crystal
• Raised polished engraving “Balancier” and “Greubel Forsey” on a hand-punched background
• Gold security screws
• Hand-engraved individual number

Case dimensions
• Diameter: 41.60 mm
• Height: 12.25 mm

Water resistance of the case
• Water-resistant 3 atm – 30 m – 100 ft (standard NIHS 92-20/SN ISO 22810:2010)

Crown
• In white gold or in 18k 5N red gold with engraved and black lacquered GF logo, invisibly set with baguette-cut diamonds

Dial
• Multi-level in gold and mother-of-pearl with a visual opening for the balance wheel, polished bevel
• Small seconds in gold and mother-of-pearl, polished bevel
• Power-reserve in gold, engraved and black lacquered, hand matt lapped

Hands
• Hours, minutes, small seconds and power-reserve in polished gold, hand-polished countersinks

Strap and clasp
• Alligator or rubber
• White gold or 18k 5N red pin buckle, hand-engraved with the GF logo

IF / D-E quality diamonds and carats
• 232 baguette-cut diamonds / 9.58 ct total
• Caseband and lugs : 160 baguette-cut diamonds / 6.21 ct
• Bezel: 60 baguette-cut diamonds / 3.06 ct
• Crown: 12 baguette-cut diamonds / 0.31 ct

At SIHH 2019, Greubel Forsey presented their latest creation, the Art Piece Edition Historique. Looking into the wide open heart at its three-dimensional construction and highly original geometry, the new Art Piece Edition Historique crowns the avant-garde aesthetic approach behind numerous exceptional creations. Combining technicity, exclusivity and the finest craftsmanship, this 33-piece limited edition (of which the first 11 are in platinum) presents a new vision of time in the spirit of the revived and renewed notion of Fine Watchmaking by Greubel Forsey.

The Greubel Forsey manufacture was established in 2004. Their focus on art and invention is both technical – with innovative mechanisms found in creations such as the Double Tourbillon 30°, the Quadruple Tourbillon, the GMT and the Grande Sonnerie – and architectural in terms of the highly original aesthetic approach that Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey pursue in their creative process. This major artistic and architectural adventure took off in 2006, when the two Inventor Watchmakers created the Opus 6 for Harry Winston. At a time when open dials were virtually unheard of, Greubel Forsey were pioneers of this revolution by showcasing their Double Tourbillon 30° (teamed with disc displays for the hours, minutes and power reserve) within a masterful multi-level three-dimensional movement.

This highly acclaimed model, although only a six-piece limited edition, was certainly not an isolated achievement. It marked the start of a ground-breaking journey, a true creative exercise whose development we can follow over the years, like observing the evolution of a painter, sculptor or architect. Rather than reworking an existing calibre in order to create a visual impact (as is generally the case with a skeletonised movement), Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey opted right from the outset to approach the entire conception of the movement in architectural terms.

The period between 2007 and 2011 thus saw the emergence of the first three Invention Pieces, each paying tribute to one of Greubel Forsey’s Fundamental Inventions in the realm of tourbillons. Multilevel constructions, offset subdials, hand or disc displays, concentric hours/minutes indications, interplays of transparency and depth, contrasting materials and colours, lateral case windows, asymmetrical domed sapphire crystals: these three masterpieces defined the essence of a new aesthetic vocabulary, amplified by an extreme concern for fine craftsmanship as much for the movement as the exterior elements.

The birth of the astonishing Art Pieces heralded the next stage in the approach to a timepiece as a means of artistic expression. Art Piece 1 (2013), co-created with British artist Willard Wigan, was distinguished by a micro-sculpture housed inside the case, complete with a miniature high-power optical system ensuring surprising views of the artwork, otherwise barely visible to the naked eye. Art Piece 2 – Edition 1 (2016) paid a stunning tribute to watchmaking art supplanting the micro-sculpture with a micro-engraved sketch of the Double Tourbillon 30° which animates this timepiece. It was followed by the Art Piece 2 – Edition 2 (2017) which further pushed creative limits by combining the Double Tourbillon 30° with an on-demand display of the hours and minutes along with an oversized power reserve indication. The latter is in fact the only sign of time passing by when the hours and minutes aperture is closed.

Greubel Forsey now pays tribute to this artistic and architectural approach with a creation that sums up and magnifies its true spirit. Following on from previous Art Pieces, the Art Piece Edition Historique houses within its 44 mm-diameter case a new movement with a variation on the theme of the Double Tourbillon 30°: a mechanism designed to enable the balance wheel to oscillate consistently in all planes ensuring maximum precision. The new 475-part hand-wound movement boasts a 72-hour power reserve with optimal chronometric performance, ensured by two series-coupled fast rotating barrels.

The most eye-catching aspect of all is the multilevel construction that opens up whole new vistas.The gaze is first drawn to the Double Tourbillon 30° majestically set against a royal blue background, with the flat black polished bridge and hand-bevelled and open-worked cage pillars. It is a veritable sculpture in motion, with its inner tourbillon inclined at a 30° angle performing one rotation per minute and its outer tourbillon completing a revolution in four minutes. The small seconds dial is positioned on the same level, between 10 and 11 o’clock. Lifted onto a significantly higher plane, the power-reserve indication bears large Arabic numerals and a blued steel hand. Higher still, at 2 o’clock, the offset hours/minutes subdial has been replaced with a daring titanium dome featuring a hand-punched background entirely engraved with the finely polished Greubel Forsey key values.

The hours are discreetly displayed by a red hand on a separate rotating ring, while the minutes appear on request through an aperture thanks to a simple press on the crown-fitted pusher. By giving pride of place to the tourbillon and power reserve in relation to the hours/minutes indication, the Art Piece Edition Historique asserts itself as a ‘philosophical timepiece’. It draws the collector to experience a new relationship with temporality, based on a deeper consideration of the time passing and the time that remains. The caseback also offers a most original design, a rear view of the Double Tourbillon 30° surrounded by the barrel bridge where one can admire the jewels in gold chatons and the hand-polished countersinks, completed by the relief-engraved signatures of Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey.

Within the strictly limited 33-piece edition, the first 11 Art Piece Edition Historique timepieces are to be made in platinum and the 22 subsequent ones in different materials. Enhancing the sense of continuity with the other Art Pieces, Greubel Forsey has chosen to encompass the 18 previous examples within the total to date. The 11 platinum Art Piece Edition Historique models will thus be numbered from 19/51 to 29/51 – figures appearing both on the caseback and on the small plate alongside the Double Tourbillon 30°.

Technical details

Art Piece Edition Historique
Unique edition of 33 pieces
11 pieces in platinum
Hand-wound movement with patented tourbillon
Timepiece testifying to the artistic expression of Greubel Forsey • Double Tourbillon 30° • hours • minutes on demand • small seconds • power-reserve

Movement

Movement dimensions
• Diameter: 36.40 mm
• Thickness: 12.37 mm

Number of parts
• Complete movement: 475 parts
• Two tourbillon cages: 130 parts
• Total weight of the two cages: 1.12 g

Number of jewels
• 50
• 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 plate
• Titanium, frosted and spotted, with polished bevelling, blue finish

Bridges
• Nickel silver, frosted and spotted with polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, nickel-palladium treatment
• Titanium plates with polished relief-engraved text, polished bevelling and countersinks
• Founders’ signature in relief by galvanic growth
• Flat black polished steel tourbillon bridges, hand-polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks

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
• Minutes on demand on disc
• Small seconds
• 72 hours sectorial power reserve

Exterior

Case
• In platinum 950 with high domed synthetic sapphire crystal
• Transparent back with synthetic sapphire crystal
• Three-dimensional, variable geometry-shaped lugs
• Raised polished engraving “Edition Historique” and
“Greubel Forsey” on a hand-punched background
• Gold security screws
• Polished bezel, caseband with hand-finished straight graining
• Platinum 950 plates, engraved, hand-finished with texts, screwed to the caseband
• Hand-engraved individual number

Case dimensions
• Diameter: 44.00 mm
• Height: 15.95 mm

Water resistance of the case
• Water-resistant 3 atm – 30 m – 100 ft (standard NIHS 92-20/SN ISO 22810:2010)

Crown with pusher
• In platinum 950 with engraved and black lacquered GF logo
• Crown pusher for the minutes display

Dial
• Multi-level in titanium, dome-shaped
• Hour-ring with lacquered indexes, relief-engraved texts
• Metallised synthetic sapphire shutter, hiding or revealing the minutes display
• Small seconds indicator in gold, engraved and lacquered, hand matt lapped
• Power-reserve indicator in titanium with relief-engraved scale

Hands
• Hours (red triangle)
• Small seconds in polished blued steel, hand-polished countersink
• Power-reserve in polished blued steel

Strap and clasp
• Hand-sewn alligator
• Platinum 950 folding clasp, hand-engraved with the GF logo

This new edition of GREUBEL FORSEY Double Tourbillon Technique timepiece boasts a blue dial lay out. This new version is available in limited edition of 33 pieces in titanium, platinum or white gold.

Equipped with a hand-wound movement with patented tourbillon, this timepiece incorporates an inner tourbillon inclined at a 30° angle and revolving 1 rotation per minute and an outer tourbillon that revolves 1 rotation in 4 minutes.

The combination of the 30° inclination with the different rotational speeds of the two tourbillion cages improves timekeeping by averaging out positional errors due to gravity in all usual wristwatch positions, and especially in static positions.

In its dial side, the watch features a blue coloured multi-level synthetic sapphire hour ring with hour indexes and golden hour and minute hands with Super-LumiNova. In addition to the dazzling display of the two tourbillons, the dial also hosts a small seconds counter and a power reserve indicator.

Technical details

Model: Double Tourbillon Technique Blue
Limited edition of 33 pieces in titanium, platinum or white gold

Movement

Hand-wound movement with patented tourbillon
Double Tourbillon 30° • hours and minutes • small seconds • outer tourbillon 4-minutes rotation • inner tourbillon 60-seconds • power-reserve

Movement dimensions
• Diameter: 38.40 mm
• Thickness: 12.15 mm

Number of parts
• Movement: 396 parts
• Two tourbillon cages: 132 parts
• Weight of the two cages: 1.17 g

Number of jewels
• 43
• Olived-domed jewels in gold chatons

Chronometric power reserve
• 120 hours

Barrels
• Four coaxial series-coupled fast-rotating barrels (1 turn in 3.2 hours), one of which is equipped with a slipping spring to avoid excess tension
• Black finished 22k gold cover with relief engraving

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, frosted with polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, blue finish

Bridges
• Nickel silver, frosted and spotted with polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, blue finish
• Gold plate engraved with the individual number

Inner tourbillon
• Inclined at a 30° angle, 1 rotation per minute

Outer tourbillon
• 1 rotation in 4 minutes
• Hand-bevelled and open-worked cage pillars
• Gold counterweight

Gearing
• Involute circle profile
• Conical gearing with profiled teeth

Displays
• Hours and minutes
• Small seconds
• 120-hours power reserve on a sector
• 4-minutes outer tourbillon rotation
• 60-seconds inner tourbillon rotation

Exterior

Case
In titanium with convex synthetic sapphire crystal
Diameter: 47.50 mm
Thickness: 16.84 mm
Transparent back with synthetic sapphire crystal
Three-dimensional, variable geometry-shaped lugs, screwed fixing
Raised polished engraving “Double Tourbillon 30°” and “Greubel Forsey” on a hand-punched background
Gold security screws
Polished bezel, caseband with hand-finished straight graining
Two titanium plates, engraved, hand-finished with texts, screwed to the caseband
Engraved individual number
Water resistance of the case: 3 atm – 30 m – 100 ft (standard NIHS 92-20/SN ISO 22810:2010)
Crown: In titanium with engraved GF logo

Dial side
Multi-level synthetic sapphire hour-ring, galvanic growth hour indexes, engraved and lacquered inner tourbillon rotation indicator
Small seconds and power-reserve indicators in gold

Hands
Hours and minutes in polished gold, with Super-LumiNova
Small seconds, power-reserve (red triangles)
Engraved synthetic sapphire 4-minutes indicator

Strap and clasp
Black rubber or hand-sewn alligator
Titanium folding clasp, engraved with the GF logo

With the Tourbillon 24 Secondes Vision Enamel, Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey materialise both neoclassicism and timelessness. This timepiece asserts an absolute purity of line while at the same time revealing a mechanical world of fine precision.

The Tourbillon 24 Secondes Vision in white gold was awarded the prestigious “Aiguille d’Or” in 2015, for the best timepiece in all categories, awarded by the Jury of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.

Greubel Forsey has taken up the challenge of reimagining the space for the inclined tourbillon cage of their third Fundamental Invention, the Tourbillon 24 Secondes, within a case of refined proportions.

The unprecedented solution lay in reconciling sophistication and simplicity with a vertical asymmetry: A dome has been incorporated into the sapphire crystal on the back of the timepiece, creating an extra volume to house the inclined tourbillon system. The shape and position of the dome has been conceived in such a way that it sits very comfortably on the wrist, completing the subtle alchemy between performance and ergonomics.

The Tourbillon 24 Secondes Vision Enamel houses Greubel Forsey’s third Fundamental Invention in a perfectly refined case. Its white Grand Feu enamel dial, infusing the timepiece with a striking luminosity, creates a poetic contrast with the fine blued steel hands and their delicately hand finished countersinks. Integrated into the case back, a sapphire dome reveals the inclined tourbillon cage whose bridges, like a semicircular Romanesque vault, represent a supreme technological and artisanal feat.

The ethereal composition of the timepiece as a whole highlights and heightens the Tourbillon 24 Secondes mechanism beating at its heart. Its fast rotation speed and inclined angle solve the problem of the critical positions of the oscillator in relation to gravity. The 25° angle and rapid revolution of the tourbillon cage significantly improve the chronometric performance, especially in stable positions of a system containing one tourbillon. In the Tourbillon 24 Secondes Vision Enamel, the intricate mechanism can be viewed thanks to a veritable stream of light, channelled into the interior of the timepiece by the sapphire crystal dome.

Among this timepiece’s most noteworthy features are its two curved tourbillon bridges, whose geometry resembles that of a Romanesque vault. The barreled polishing of the three-dimensional surfaces of the tourbillon’s arched bridges is taken to the very limit, revealing their famous black polish, a real human and technical feat requiring great talent and years of practice. In the hands of Greubel Forsey ‘s craftsmen, polishing is pursued until the perfect result of an incredibly deep jet black polish without reflection is achieved. This requires such a rare know-how that each bridge is discreetly signed by the individual movement finisher who decorated it.

With the Tourbillon 24 Secondes Enamel, Greubel Forsey presents, for the very first time, a Grand Feu enamel dial. A model of the artisan’s hand executed skillful craftsmanship, and the result of a delicate treatment that enhances its immaculate whiteness. This dial envelopes the whole timepiece in a magnificent aura of light and a noble simplicity, while the Roman hour numerals at six and twelve underline the neoclassical sophistication.

The prodigious timelessness and refinement of the aesthetics are confirmed by the delicately hand finished blued steel hands. They have been lightened to the maximum degree and their form, in the shape of a lance, leading the eye straight to the royal blue enamel indexes.

This timepiece comes in a 5N red gold case with a hand-sewn leather strap, secured by a pin buckle hand-engraved with the Greubel Forsey logo.

Technical details

Model: Tourbillon 24 Secondes Vision Enamel
In 5N red gold or in platinum or in steel

Movement

Mechanical hand-wound movement with patented tourbillon Tourbillon 24 Secondes • hours and minutes • small seconds • power-reserve

Movement dimensions
• Diameter: 36.40 mm
• Thickness: 7.09 mm

Number of parts
• Movement: 293 parts
• Tourbillon cage: 86 parts
• Weight of the cage: 0.38 g

Number of jewels
• 41
• 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
• Motor wheel with relief engraving, black treatment

Balance wheel
• Variable-inertia with gold mean-time screws (10 mm diameter)

Frequency
• 21’600 vibrations/hour

Balance spring
• Phillips terminal curve
• Geneva-style stud

Main plates
• Nickel silver, frosted and spotted, with polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, nickel-palladium treatment

Bridges
• Nickel silver, frosted and spotted with polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, nickel-palladium treatment
• Engraved gold plate with individual number
• Arched and barrel-polished steel tourbillon bridges

Tourbillon
• Inclined at a 25° angle, 24-seconds rotation
• Light alloy cage pillars
• Titanium cage bridges
• Gold counterweight

Gearing
• Involute circle profile
• Tangential inclined gear on fixed wheel and profiled teeth on escape wheel pinion

Displays
Hours and minutes
Small seconds
72-hours power-reserve on a gold sector (caseback side)

Exterior

Case
In 18k 5N red gold or in platinum 950 or in steel with convex synthetic sapphire crystal
Diameter: 43.50 mm
Height: case 13.65 mm (height on synthetic sapphire dome 16.03 mm)
Transparent back with 2 convex synthetic sapphire crystals
Three-dimensional, variable geometry-shaped lugs
Raised polished engraving “Tourbillon 24″ Incliné” and “Greubel Forsey” on a hand-punched background
Gold security screws
Hand-polished bezel, caseband with hand-finished straight-graining
Hand-engraved individual number (18k 5N red gold and platinum 950 versions)
Water-resistant 3 atm – 30 m – 100 ft (standard NIHS 92-20/SN ISO 22810:2010)
Crown: In 18k 5N red gold or in platinum 950 or in steel with engraved and black lacquered GF logo

Dial
White enamel Grand Feu with numbers and indexes in navy blue enamel
GF logo in black enamel

Hands
Hours, minutes, small seconds and power-reserve in blued polished steel, hand-polished countersinks

Strap and clasp
Hand-sewn alligator
18k 5N red gold or platinum 950 or steel pin buckle, hand-engraved with the GF logo (18k 5N red gold and platinum 950 versions)

Following on from the Double Tourbillon 30° in 2010, Greubel Forsey is now celebrating the Tourbillon 24 Secondes Asymétrique by releasing a specifically dedicated Edition Historique. This closes the Tourbillon 24 Secondes Asymétrique collection, whose models have been produced at an average rate of 18 pieces per year since 2007.

There are three versions of the Tourbillon 24 Secondes to date: the Asymétrique, Contemporain and Vision models. Greubel Forsey has decided to pay homage to the first of these three versions, the “Tourbillon 24 Secondes Asymétrique”, by creating a Unique edition: the Tourbillon 24 Secondes Edition Historique.

For this timepiece, the architecture of the dial was entirely reinterpreted and redesigned with a 3D engraved text that reveals the Greubel Forsey philosophy. The sectoral seconds and power reserve displays have also been redesigned. These two display systems have never before been featured in a Tourbillon 24 Secondes timepiece.

The Asymétrique was the model that made it possible to incorporate the Tourbillon 24 Secondes – Greubel Forsey’s third Fundamental Invention, visible at 8 o’clock – into a timepiece for the first time. This then paved the way for the Contemporain and Vision versions. The latter model played an important role in the history of Greubel Forsey as it was awarded the Grand Prix de l’Aiguille d’Or in 2015. This is one of the reasons for this tribute.

Following on from the Double Tourbillon 30° Edition Historique unveiled in 2010, this is the second time that a Greubel Forsey timepiece has been honoured as an Edition Historique, marking an end to a collection.

The timepiece exists in two versions: with a 5N red gold case or a platinum case. Meanwhile the dial features a silver-toned (red gold version) or anthracite (platinum version) multi-level gold finish. This timepiece will be available in two Unique editions of 11 pieces.

Greubel Forsey recently extended the Tourbillon 24 Secondes Vision range with a “Salmon” dial. It is now available in three new versions: “Chocolate”, “Blue” and “Anthracite Black”. One timepiece with four different faces: it is a unique situation as, usually, Greubel Forsey only creates one edition of each of its platinum timepieces. These versions follow the success of the Tourbillon 24 Secondes Vision, which was awarded the Aiguille d’Or 2015 by the jury of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.

During the creation of the Tourbillon 24 Secondes Vision, Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey were confronted with a major challenge: how to house the mechanism of the Tourbillon 24 Secondes without sacrificing the timepiece’s pure, elegant lines. In other words, how could they reconcile sophistication with simplicity? The solution was achieved by giving the case’s design a subtle, vertical asymmetry.

By incorporating a sapphire crystal dome into the back of the timepiece, the model’s inventor-watchmakers were able to generate the volume required to house the tourbillon mechanism, thus leading to a perfect alchemy between performance and comfort. Over and above its showcase function, the sapphire dome captures luminosity and channels it into the interior of the timepiece, allowing the tourbillon to be viewed through a veritable stream of light.

Among this timepiece’s most noteworthy features are its two curved tourbillon bridges, with their delicately hand-polished surfaces. To attain such symmetrical perfection in the finishes of the three-dimensional tourbillon bridges is no mean achievement, and indeed each bridge is discreetly signed by the artisan decorator who has executed it – a good way to celebrate the excellence of such watchmaking craftsmanship. Furthermore, in keeping with the highest standards, the movement’s 293 parts, whether visible or not, feature the very best hand finishing that can be found today.

The multi-level gold dial of this timepiece, in Chocolate, Blue or Anthracite Black, features engraved indexes (or gold appliqués depending on the version) filled with grand feu (champlevé) enamel. The hour, minute and small seconds hands are made of polished steel, which is blued in some of the versions. The countersinks are polished by hand.

The Tourbillon 24 Secondes Vision in platinum will be realised in small editions of a few pieces each year.

Technical details

Model: Tourbillon 24 Secondes Vision In platinum
(Chocolate, blue, or black-anthracite dial according to the version)

Note: This model is also available with a Salmon coloured dial)

Movement

Mechanical hand-wound movement with patented tourbillon
Tourbillon 24 Secondes • hours and minutes • small seconds • power-reserve

Movement dimensions
• Diameter: 36.40 mm
• Thickness: 7.09 mm

Number of parts
• Movement: 293 parts
• Tourbillon cage: 86 parts
• Weight of the cage: 0.38 g

Number of jewels
• 41
• 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
• Black PVD-treated motor wheel with relief engraving

Balance wheel
• Variable-inertia with gold mean-time screws (10 mm diameter)

Frequency
• 21’600 vibrations/hour

Balance spring
• Phillips terminal curve
• Geneva-style stud

Main plates
• Nickel silver, frosted and spotted, with polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, nickel-palladium treatment

Bridges
• Nickel silver, frosted and spotted with polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, nickel-palladium treatment
• 1 engraved gold plate (individual number)
• Arched and barrel-polished steel tourbillon bridges

Tourbillon
• Inclined at a 25° angle, 24-seconds rotation
• Light alloy cage pillars
• Titanium cage bridges
• Gold counterweight

Gearing
• Involute circle profile
• Tangential inclined gear on fixed wheel and profiled teeth on escape wheel pinion

Displays
• Hours and minutes
• Small seconds
• 72-hours power-reserve on a gold sector (caseback side)

Exterior

Case
• In platinum 950 with convex synthetic sapphire crystal
• Transparent back with 2 convex synthetic sapphire crystals
• Three-dimensional, variable geometry-shaped lugs
• Raised polished engraving “Tourbillon 24″ Incliné” and “Greubel Forsey” on a hand-punched background
• Gold security screws
• Hand-polished bezel, caseband with hand-finished straight graining
• Hand-engraved individual number
• Diameter: 43.50 mm
• Height: case 13.65 mm (height on synthetic sapphire dome 16.03 mm)
• Water-resistant 3 atm – 30 m – 100 ft (standard NIHS 92-20/SN ISO 22810:2010)

Crown
• In platinum 950 with engraved and black lacquered GF logo

Dial
• Multi-level in gold, colour: chocolate, blue or black-anthracite versions, with engraved (or gold markers according to the version) and “oven fired” enamelled indexes (émail grand feu champlevé)
• Gold GF logo

Hands
• Hours, minutes and small seconds in polished steel, blued according to the version, hand-polished countersink
• Power-reserve in blued polished steel

Strap and clasp
• Hand-sewn alligator
• Platinum 950 pin buckle, hand-engraved with the GF logo

The Art of Invention: this expression testifies to a forward-looking philosophy that has long been a driving force for Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey, both in the field of scientific research as applied to fine watchmaking, and in that of aesthetic innovation. This art of invention is particularly present when it comes to the stunning Art Piece series.

The Art Piece 2 – Edition 2 pushes back the boundaries of creativity even further. In this first Art Piece produced without an optical system (and therefore without a micro-sculpture or nano-engraving), the Double Tourbillon 30° appears to be a moving sculpture.

Here, the indication of time is secondary: a push-piece that controls a bistable mechanism needs to be activated in order to obtain an indication of the hours and minutes. The power reserve takes precedence over all other information with the aim of altering our relationship with temporality: it is not the current time that we contemplate, but the time remaining. This subtle metaphysical shift is naturally reminiscent of memento mori. This timepiece, signed by Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey, will be realised in a limited edition of only a few pieces per year.