The exceptional Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon 30° Technique in platinum —also available in red gold or white gold— is another one of the inventions from this manufacture. This timepiece measuring 47.50mm in diameter full of intricate details and a perfect example of ultra 'haute horlogerie' is not only worthy of a detailed review, but also worthy of admiration. This is a watch where the eye is drawn from one gear to the next, enabling careful observation of each separate element.
Posts filed under Greubel Forsey
Insider: Greubel Forsey Quadruple Tourbillon Secret. Fitted with Four Tourbillons, it Doesn't Get Any Better Than This.
The Greubel Forsey Quadruple Tourbillon Secret is a timepiece unlike any other. This timepiece is a perfect example of how traditional horology can be pushed to its limits and innovation becomes the name of the game. The Quadruple Tourbillon Secret a.k.a Quadruple Tourbillon à Différentiel is a blend of art and technical innovation that encapsulates the very soul of its two creators with its fascinating four tourbillons. This watch is fitted with an asymmetrical case in 18K red gold —also available in platinum— measuring 43.50mm in diameter and 16.11mm in thickness. This fascinating timepiece is fitted with a lateral window on the case band at 8 o'clock that allows for full view of one of the double tourbillon cages. The alternating satin brushed and polished areas on the case create the perfect symphony that houses such a magnificent complication and a gorgeous black dial.
The black dial with gold 'appliqués' features a 50-hour power reserve indicator with running seconds at 2 o'clock, a 4-minute tourbillon rotation indicator at 5 o'clock and a 240-seconds register at 8 o'clock. The 240-seconds indicator is delicately engraved with French words that perfectly describe the intrinsic attributes and qualities of this horological masterpiece: 'Savoir-Faire', 'Inventeurs Horlogers', 'Créativité', 'Technicité', 'Univers Original', 'Bienfacture d'Exception', 'Oeuvre Unique', 'Noblesse Esthétique', 'Inventeurs Horlogers', 'Créativité' and 'Technicité'.
Now, let's explain how this amazing timepiece works. The Greubel Forsey Quadruple Tourbillon is fitted with two double-tourbillons composed by an inner tourbillon —set at a 30 degree angle and that rotates once every minute— and an outer tourbillon that rotates once every four minutes. The four tourbillons are connected at the heart of two autonomous regulating organs, where each regulating organ is composed of a balance wheel oscillator placed in the cage of the tourbillon that is located at an angle of 30 degrees and that rotates once every minute. This mechanism rotates within the cage of a second tourbillon every four minutes. The two oscillators independently regulated inside the four tourbillons are coupled by a spherical differential which transmits their combined precision to the time display. Two barrels connected in series supply power through the spherical differential to the tourbillons.
The beating heart of this magnificent piece of 'haute horlogerie' is the Greubel Forsey calibre GF03 composed of 531 parts, 2 double-tourbillon cages with 128 parts each, a spherical differential composed of 28 parts and 63 olived-domed jewels in gold chatons. When fully wound, the calibre provides a power reserve of 50 hours beating at a frequency of 21,600 vph. The calibre is of course fully visible via the display case back.
This fascinating timepiece is fitted with a black hand-sewn alligator strap with double-folding clasp engraved with the Greubel Forsey logo. The strap is very supple, elegantly finished and quite comfortable.
The Greubel Forsey Quadruple Tourbillon Secret is available in a limited number of eight pieces in 18K red gold and 8 pieces in platinum. If you appreciate 'haute horlogerie' and you have the money to play in the game, this timepiece is one that will for sure be featured in horological history books, as one of the most fascinating complications ever created.
Sticker Price $805,000 USD. For more info on Greubel Forsey click here.
Insider: Greubel Forsey GMT. Taking Horology to the Next Level.
The Greubel Forsey GMT is one of the most fascinating worldtimer complications we have ever reviewed. This fascinating watch created by Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey, founders of Greubel Forsey will leave you in awe. Last week, we were able to peruse the watch and meet with Stephen Forsey who explained in detail how this fascinating complication works.
Robert Greubel —a former IWC employee that worked on their Grand Complication Project and prototypist for complications at Renaud & Papi— and Stephen Forsey have been working together for nearly 20 years. In 1992, Stephen met Robert at Renaud & Papi and in 2001 they co-founded 'Complitime', a company focused on developing and crafting complicated movements for prestigious brands.
In 2004, Robert and Stephen unveiled 'Greubel Forsey' and stunned watch collectors with their innovative Double Tourbillon 30°. The GMT we are reviewing here is no exception as Greubel Forsey continues to take horology to the next level.
This GMT complication, available in rose gold or white gold, features a second time zone indication complemented by a three-dimensional terrestrial globe providing an intuitive picture of time all over the world in a distinctive asymmetrical case measuring 43.5 mm in diameter and 16.14 mm in thickness. A dual-function pusher located on the left caseband —at what would be the 10 o'clock position— with GMT engraved on it, allows for quick setting of the second time zone that is indicated on a small register at 10 o'clock as well as adjustment of the rotating globe that is synchronized with a cities disc on the back of the watch. The dial features a 72-hour power reserve indicator at 2 o'clock right underneath the seconds register. The local time is shown on the off-centered gold frosted anthracite treated dial at 12 o'clock. The sapphire crystal opening on the caseband at 7 o'clock allows for full view of the delicately finished terrestrial globe and to allow for light to go in which indicates those areas of the world where it is daytime. The terrestrial globe makes one complete rotation every 24 hours anticlockwise —the Earth’s natural rotational direction viewed from North pole— and the position of the continents can be easily cross-referenced with the time on the equatorial chapter ring which is marked with 24 time zones and day/night indication. The night-time hemisphere —18:00 to 6:00— is indicated by a blackened half of the ring around the globe, while the daytime hemisphere —6:00 to 18:00— is indicated by a whitened portion. Midnight is indicated in red while noon is in yellow.
The 25° inclined Tourbillon '24 Secondes' cage at 5 o'clock is one of Greubel Forsey’s major patented inventions. The single inclined tourbillon cage undergoes rapidly changing positions with a high angular velocity, thus minimizing the effects of gravity on the regulating organ and maximizing timekeeping accuracy.
Now, let's talk about the back of the watch. As fascinating as the front, the back features a worldtimer disc with 24 cities that eases the setting of the globe and also provides the traditional worldtimer way of reading time in multiple timezones. As the cities disc rotates, so does the terrestrial globe to perfectly show night and day areas of the earth. The disc is also fitted with a central indicator for Summer Time a.k.a. Daylight Savings Time. Those cities not using DST are on a dark background and time is read on the outer chapter ring. It is worth mentioning that the anti-reflective coating treatment on the sapphire crystal of the display case back makes the cities disc appear grayish; however, the disc is made of sapphire crystal and the cities are in black and white as the last picture clearly shows it.
The back also features a golden gear with a beautiful windrose serving as a useful visual reference for midday. The beating heart inside this watch is the manual wound calibre GF05 decorated with nickel silver frosted bridges and plates, blued screws and a small opening where the efficient spherical differential can be admired. This calibre is composed of 443 parts, 50 jewels and two co-axial series-coupled fast rotating barrels.
The caseband is matte finished with alternating polished areas around the lugs and with polished edges on the bezel and the case back. A nice contrasting touch to the beautifully engraved black lacquered winding crown.
This fascinating piece of horology is fitted with a beautiful and very comfortable blue crocodile strap with deployant buckle. The strap is extremely elegant and nicely handcrafted.
Opposed to the thick construction of this watch, it does not sit high on the wrist and is extremely comfortable wearing true to its diameter. If you are ready to own one of the masterpieces of modern horology, look no further. This is a real GMT watch that very few will be able to own. Please enjoy the video at the bottom of the post where Robert and Stephen clearly explain how this fascinating timepiece works.
Sticker Price $595,000 USD. For more info on Greubel Forsey click here.
