Greubel Forsey: Understanding the Modern Masters of Complication
Exceptional finishes and remarkable inventions combine in superb style.
The World of Greubel Forsey
One of the most revered names in high-end independent watchmaking is, in fact, two names. The prestigious house of Greubel Forsey takes its name from its founders, the Frenchman Robert Greubel and the Englishman Stephen Forsey, who met at the famed complications specialist Renaud & Papi. In 2001, Greubel and Forsey went into business together, initially specialising in the development of complicated movements. Then, in 2004, buoyed by widespread enthusiasm for high-end complications, they launched Greubel Forsey. From its very first release, it was clear that Greubel Forsey was a brand built around a love of the tourbillon. These days, Greubel Forsey continues to go from strength to strength, beloved by connoisseurs the world over — you may even have spotted a particularly rare example on the wrist of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.
The love of the tourbillon & the art of invention
That first watch was the Double Tourbillon 30°, an innovation on the iconic whirling escapement that utilised two tourbillon cages, with the inner cage rotating every 30 seconds and the outer cage every four minutes, on an axis offset by 30 degrees from the vertical. This level of complexity exists not merely to impress, but to ensure that the position of the regulating organs remains as stable as possible. This innovation set the stage for many more inventions from Greubel Forsey. In fact, over the course of its relatively short history, the brand has created seven fundamental inventions that have radically shaped the world of fine watchmaking. The Double Tourbillon 30° was the first, but other notable creations include the Quadruple Tourbillon, the Tourbillon 24 Secondes and the Double Balancier.
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The Exceptional Finishing
Beyond complications, there is one word that comes up again and again when discussing Greubel Forsey, and that is “finishing”. All of Greubel Forsey’s timepieces are finished to the very highest standard, even its more approachable models. Every watch is a showcase of high-end decorative techniques, applied to virtually every element. Consider the meticulous black polishing, the chamfered edges of the plates, and the countersunk screws. One unusual finish that often appears in Greubel Forsey designs is the frosted mainplate — a technique that requires craftspeople to create a perfectly imperfect surface using abrasives, adding texture and providing dramatic contrast to the mirror-polished components around it.
Key Collections
Greubel Forsey divides its watches into two main lines. The sportier offering is the Collection Convexe, and the latest model in this family is the Balancier 3, limited to 88 pieces. This imposing modern sports watch is relatively simple in function — displaying hours, minutes, seconds and a power reserve — while still representing the pinnacle of quality in every respect.
The core collection is home to Greubel Forsey’s more traditional aesthetics, as well as many of its tourbillons. Take, for example, the Tourbillon Cardan, launched in 2023. This impressive piece combines Greubel Forsey’s mastery of complex tourbillons — the large 16-second tourbillon is mounted in a pair of cardans that act like a gimbal — with an aesthetic that preserves the brand’s spirit of excellence while offering something more classical, and even more conservative, than the sporty Convexe family.
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