On his Instagram account, Stephen Forsey has disclosed his departure from Greubel Forsey, contradicting initial industry reporting. The co-founder and namesake watchmaker revealed—in the statement screenshot below—that the board of directors "regrettably disengaged" him from operations and terminated his employment contract, leading to his subsequent resignation from the boards of Greubel Forsey SA, Greubel Forsey Holding SA, and the Time Æon and Adenium foundations.
In a detailed communication with us here at Watch Collecting Lifestyle, Forsey provided the complete chronological sequence. The board terminated his employment contract with an end date of May 31, 2026. During the year-end holidays, he was locked out of his office and received an auto-reply message on his professional email stating he no longer held an operational role, effective December 31, 2025. After remaining silent through January while considering his response, Forsey states he was compelled to resign from the company's boards in late January.
The Instagram statement characterizes these events diplomatically, noting that "strategic and management changes" and "ongoing divergences" precipitated his departure from the enterprise he co-founded with Robert Greubel in 2004, concluding more than 25 years of what he describes as "personal investment in the extraordinary adventure of creating exceptional watches."
The sequence contradicts the narrative established in earlier reporting. When Hodinkee covered the story on January 30, the article strongly suggested Forsey had retired, with CEO Michel Nydegger confirming only that Forsey had "stepped down from the board" and would no longer be involved in day-to-day operations. Forsey's carefully worded Instagram statement—noting he has "since been liberated with immediate effect"—serves as a public correction to that characterization. He retains a significant minority shareholding while Robert Greubel continues as majority shareholder and chairman.
The circumstances raise fundamental questions about governance and succession at one of independent watchmaking's most technically accomplished houses. Greubel Forsey has earned seven Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève awards and established itself through innovations, such as the double tourbillon, inclined balance wheels, and exceptional hand-finishing. The brand recently gained additional visibility when Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg was spotted wearing several Greubel Forsey timepieces, including the Hand Made 1.
Forsey closes his statement graciously, expressing gratitude to "each and every one" of those he's worked with and hoping "to see you again very soon"—leaving the horological world to consider both what this talented British watchmaker's next chapter might bring, and what led to the board's decision to terminate the tenure of the co-founder whose name remains on the manufacture.
For more info on Greubel Forsey, here.
