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Greubel Forsey, en route towards the fourth dimension

May 2005



In the avalanche of new-generation tourbillons, Greubel Forsey stands out above the crowd. In 2004, the company presented a superb and magnificently encased 30˚ Double Tourbillon. They are demonstrating their prowess again this year with the much anticipated Quadruple Tourbillon Differential.

Last year, the newcomer Greubel Forsey clearly stood out from the pack when it presented the superb and very innovative 30˚ Double Tourbillon as its first timepiece. ‘A tourbillon inside a tourbillon,’ its two mobile cages are connected to each other at an angle of 30˚. Dubbed by its creators as the Tourbillion of the third millennium, its principal advantage is that it can compensate for the variations in operation (due to the forces of gravity) not only when in a vertical position, but also when in any position. The result is that the watch keeps more precise time. For the sake of comparison, the variation in a classic tourbillon, measured in six positions, is plus or minus seven seconds, while in the Greubel Forsey tourbillon, the difference is plus or minus three to three and a half seconds.
An undeniable technical feat that has resulted in a patent, the 30˚ Double Tourbillon is the fruit of advanced research in both technical timekeeping and in the aesthetics of design. “What we wanted,” explains Steven Forsey, “was to basically end up with a real watch.”

Mechanical architects
Robert Greubel and Steven Forsey are two watchmakers (or "mechanical architects” as they like to call themselves) who truly surprised everyone. The men were not simply content to present a major technical innovation; they wanted a watch that was also perfect from a design point of view. The piece’s architecture clearly supports the mechanical aspects, and was designed to give the highest degree of visibility to the complex movement of the tourbillon’s two cages. The large cage makes a rotation in four minutes, which can be followed and measured by the four markers at the centre of the large tourbillon’s bridge, while the small toubillon, placed at an angle of 30˚, rotates in one minute.


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A showstopper
The choreography of this mechanical ballet is even more exciting because of its original construction. A double plate allows the gears and bridges to be discreetly positioned away from the rotational activity of the two cages.
The different functions of the watch are showcased on the silvered gold or black galvanized double dial, and are perfectly readable. The indicator for the power reserve (72 hours) is placed at 3 o’clock. The small seconds hand, connected to the cage of the small tourbillon, is found at 9 o’clock.
A look at the materials and the special finishing shows the great attention to detail that went in to creating this timekeeper. A few of the special touches include: hand-chamfered and polished tourbillon bridges; snailing decoration on the double barrel; gold jewel settings; bevelled edges on the slot and sides of the blued screws; hand cut-out and chamfered edges of the pillars; chamfered tops and bottoms of the gears; and mirror finish on the pinions. The plates and bridges are finished in an exclusive and finely decorated ‘gold jade’ pattern. The 18 carat gold case, measuring 43.5 mm and with elegant horns, is discreetly hand-engraved in an infinite spiral pattern. In short, this timepiece is a beautiful work of art.

En route towards the fourth dimension
The Double Tourbillon was designed and constructed in such a manner that would allow the production of a small series of watches, perhaps one or two a month. It was not long before retailers noticed these pieces, and their success encouraged Greubel Forsey to develop their next project: the Quadruple Tourbillon Differential. In a few words, this new creation can be described as follows: two barrels in series drive a single gear train connected to a differential, which in turn drives two 30˚ double tourbillons.
From a chronometric standpoint, this arrangement is interesting because the two cages can be differentiated and positioned in such a way that the watch works in an even more precise manner.

The EWT
As Stephen Forsey explains, it is because of what he calls “Experimental Watch Technology” (EWT) that these two watchmakers were able to successfully develop the new concepts needed for their timepieces. The EWT is to watchmaking what ‘technological platforms’ are to airplane and automobile manufacturers. In other words, it is a testing ground that is adapted to the specific needs of watchmakers for step-by-step experimentation and validation of the innovations required for obtaining precise timekeeping.
Using EWT simulations, the mechanism can be constructed virtually and its operation measured with a great deal of precision. Step-by-step improvements can be made as necessary during the development phases. The EWT also allows the materials to be chosen in accordance with the specifications of component parts, as well as detailed examinations of the watch’s virtual operation along with continuous tests and measurements during the prototype phase.
The Quadruple Tourbillon Differential, whose working prototype will be introduced at BaselWorld 2005, is only the beginning of new things to come. Because of this differential system developed by the two watchmakers, the impossible is now possible. Mechanisms containing three, four, five or even six tourbillons are now achievable. We have definitely not heard the last of Greubel Forsey.


Source: April-May 2005 Issue

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