Greubel Forsey is a Swiss watchmaking company specializing in complicated, high-end timepieces. It was launched in 2004 by Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey and is based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.
Greubel Forsey makes timepieces with multiple tourbillons and inclined balance wheels with the aim of improving timekeeping precision.
Corporate history
Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey launched Greubel Forsey in 2004 at BaselWorld with the introduction of their Double Tourbillon 30° (DT30). Both men had been working together since 1992 at Renaud & Papi, where they developed complicated watch movements. In 1999 Greubel and Forsey began working independently, and in 2001 they founded Complitime SA, a company specializing in creating complicated movements for high end Swiss watch brands. They launched Greubel Forsey at Baselworld 2004 with the Double Tourbillon 30° watch.
In 2006 the company collaborated with American jeweller Harry Winston to make the Opus 6 model.
Also in 2006 the Richemont group acquired minority stake in Greubel Forsey’s share capital.
Greubel Forsey has invented and presented a number of tourbillon-regulated watches including: the Double Tourbillon 30° (DT30°), the Quadruple Tourbillon à Différentiel, the Tourbillon 24 Secondes Incliné and the GMT. At the 2012 SIHH Greubel Forsey presented their first non-tourbillon model, the Double Balancier 35°.
Greubel Forsey specializes in designing and manufacturing high-end watches that are usually, but not exclusively, based on the Tourbillon escapement, and is reputed for their high level of hand finishing. The company makes approximately 100 watches per year.
Notable models
Hand Made 1
While the vast majority of modern wristwatches are made using large scale industrial techniques and machinery, 95% of Greubel Forsey's Hand Made 1 – including the hairspring – is made using only hand-operated tools. Each watch takes approximately 6,000 hours (around three years of man hours) to make. Hand Made 1 was awarded the prize for best Men’s Complication Watch at the 2020 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève.
GMT/GMT Sport
Presented in 2011, the GMT is the first Greubel Forsey timepiece to feature a complication other than a tourbillon. It displays a second time zone at 10 o’clock and the world by a rotating, three-dimensional globe at 8 o’clock. The position of the continents on the titanium globe are cross-referenced with the 24-hour chapter ring circling it for an approximate indication of time all over the world. Other indications include an hour-minute dial at 1 o’clock, a small seconds dial on top of that at 3 o’clock and at 4 o’clock a sectorial power reserve indicator. The movement was especially developed for this timepiece and features the 25° inclined Tourbillon 24 Secondes cage. Since it was first launched, the GMT has been released in rose gold, white gold, and in platinum.
QP à Équation
The QP à Équation is a perpetual calendar displaying day, date, month, calendar year, leap year, day/night, equation of time with month, season, solstice and equinox, hours, minutes, small seconds and power-reserve. It has a function selector and regulated by a 24-second tourbillon.
Quadruple Tourbillon
The Quadruple Tourbillon uses two double-tourbillons (four tourbillon cages in total) working independently to average out and minimize gravitationally induced errors on the balance. A spherical differential connects the four rotating carriages, distributing torque between two wheels rotating at different speeds.
Grande Sonnerie
The Petite and Grande Sonnerie is a striking watch featuring a minute repeater activated by a crown pusher and a grande and petite sonnerie. As well as chiming the time, it displays hours, minutes, small seconds, a movement power reserve indicator and a striking power reserve indicator. It is regulated by a 24-second tourbillon. With its 935 components, the Grande Sonnerie is Greubel Forsey’s most complex watch to date, requiring 11 years of research and development.
Signature 1
The Signature line of watches are developed by one watchmaker who creates their timepiece with the aid, and to the quality standards, of Greubel Forsey.
Signature 1
Signature 1 is by Greubel Forsey watchmaker Didier J. G. Cretin. It displays hours, minutes and small seconds, and features a propriety Greubel Forsey regulator.
Invention Pieces
Invention Pieces showcase the important invention/mechanism in the movement rather than simply indicating the time.