On his Instagram account, Stephen Forsey has announced his departure from Greubel Forsey, marking the end of an era for one of haute horlogerie's most significant partnerships. The co-founder and namesake watchmaker disclosed on Instagram—screenshot at the bottom of this editorial—that he has resigned from the boards of Greubel Forsey SA, Greubel Forsey Holding SA, as well as from the boards of the Time Æon and Adenium foundations.
According to Forsey's statement, the separation follows more than 25 years of "personal investment in the extraordinary adventure of creating exceptional watches." He notes that "strategic and management changes" at the company, along with "ongoing divergences," led to the difficult decision to step away from the enterprise he co-founded with Robert Greubel in 2004.
The departure appears to have been accelerated, with Forsey stating he was "liberated with immediate effect" despite an employment contract termination date of May 31, 2026. CEO Michel Nydegger recently confirmed to Hodinkee just three days ago that Forsey had stepped down from the board and would no longer be involved in the company's day-to-day operations, though Forsey retains a significant minority shareholding. Robert Greubel continues as majority shareholder and chairman.
The separation represents a pivotal moment for Greubel Forsey, which has earned seven Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève awards and established itself as one of independent watchmaking's most technically accomplished houses. The brand's innovative double tourbillon, inclined balance wheels, and exceptional hand-finishing have made it a collector’s favorite, recently gaining additional visibility when Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg was spotted wearing several Greubel Forsey timepieces, including the Hand Made 1.
Forsey closes his statement graciously, thanking those he's worked with throughout his tenure and expressing hope to reconnect with the community soon—leaving the horological world curious about what this talented British watchmaker's next chapter might bring.
For more info on Greubel Forsey, here.
