GREUBEL FORSEY
THE HISTORY OF AN UNCOMPROMISING BRAND
It was the end of a century, even the end of a millennium. Two entrepreneurs who had trodden unconventional paths decided to combine their talents. They envisioned an extreme, uncompromising approach to fine watchmaking that would reimagine, one by one, each of the technical and aesthetic fundamentals established over the previous 200 years.
2000 – First Steps
Robert & Stephen would soon become Greubel Forsey. The two watchmakers set their sights directly on the heart of the watch: the escapement. Their first developments were realised by using Meccano!
2004 - Double Tourbillon 30°
The Double Tourbillon 30° was Greubel Forsey’s original invention: a first cage inclined at 30°, which completed a rotation in one minute, was inserted into a second cage that was level, completing a full rotation in four minutes. This original creation made it possible to achieve an optimised average timing rate in all positions of the timepiece. At the same time, the timepiece established the foundations of the Greubel Forsey aesthetic.
2007 – The Birth Of An Icon
In a first in the world of fine watchmaking, an escapement became the stand-alone star of a new timepiece. Not since 1801, when the tourbillon was patented, had such a development taken place. The timepiece took a back seat to the tourbillon, even taking on its name: “Tourbillon 24 Secondes”. A major leap in the science of watchmaking, this Pivotal Invention remains at the heart of the Atelier’s creations to this day.
2010 - The Dedication Of The Aiguille D’or
The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) and Greubel Forsey were about the same age, ten years old. By awarding its highest distinction, the Aiguille d’Or, to the new Atelier, the GPHG sought to honour Greubel Forsey’s unparalleled and faultless journey along the arduous path of the fine watchmaking world, giving recognition to its profoundly disruptive timepieces.
Latest GMT Balancier Convexe Iteration Featured Above
2011 – Beyond The Escapement
After spending its first ten years devoted entirely to redesigning the escapement, Greubel Forsey unveiled its first in-house complication: a very daring GMT. The timepiece featured a spinning globe that reproduced the Earth’s rotation in real time. It offered an intuitive view of time all over the world as well as a day/night indication. A lateral window revealed the southern hemisphere and flooded the globe with light to symbolise daytime.
Latest Double Balancier Iteration Featured Above
2016 - The Double Balancier Era
Optimising timekeeping as an alternative to the tourbillon, two inclined balances were coupled to a Constant Spherical Differential, which would provide a more steady amplitude. The result was an instantly eye-catching timepiece with a dial offering a wide view of the heart of the mechanism. The style of this highly graphic composition still inspires Greubel Forsey’s creations to this day.
2020 - A New CEO For A New Era
Antonio Calce, a leading figure in the watchmaking industry for several decades, became a member of the Greubel Forsey Board as well as its CEO. Strengthened by the trust of Robert Greubel—the majority shareholder—Antonio Calce has committed Greubel Forsey to a fundamental transformation to establish it as a long-lasting watch brand, capitalising on the existing strengths and excellence of the Atelier Manufacture.
2022 - Complete Independence
Greubel Forsey has acquired Richemont's shares in the company and is once again completely independent. Robert Greubel is Chairman of the Board and majority shareholder, Antonio Calce is CEO and Executive Board Member, and Stephen Forsey is Technical Expert. Between them, they own all the shares in Greubel Forsey. This independence is used to further strengthen Greubel Forsey's exceptional expertise, which is reflected in a fully mastered design and manufacturing process as well as a unique sense of creative freedom.
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