Greubel Forsey: Architecture of Time

Engineers at Greubel Forsey creating drama out of inert metal.

Three-dimensional dials aren’t uncommon in haute horlogerie, but few can compete with the novelty created by Greubel Forsey with CEO Antonio Calce at the company's helm.

The watchmakers have reinterpreted the shape of the watch movement using 354 watch parts, like urban planners building a new city. The dial has been given an astonishing sense of depth, and its elements can be viewed from different sides.

The novelty's concept is reflected in inscriptions around the flange. This is where the key components of the brand's philosophy can be read: Architecture, Harmonie, Innovation, Technique, Bienfacture, Passion, Science, Exclusivité, Créativité.

The concept behind the new movement wasn't limited to the vertical plane. The watchmakers working with depth and how different components interact were able to position them in almost any angle they saw fit.

One of the key elements is the tourbillon at 6 o'clock which is tilted at a 25-degree angle. It consists of 86 components and its carriage weighs 0.38 g. Between 10 o'clock and 11 o'clock is where the three barrels are positioned with a pattern of spheres on their cover.

The three series-coupled mainspring barrels are notable for the speed at which they rotate, completing one turn every 3.2 hours to provide 90 hours of power reserve.

You can keep track of how much power reserve is left by checking the conical disk indication at 3 o'clock. The curved polished titanium bridge for the barrels sets off a neighboring bendy part which holds the hands at the center of the dial. The small seconds can be found at 8 o'clock.

te of the construction as a convex conical frustum case shape. It measures 16.8 mm in height. The case bulges to such an extent that it measures 47.05 in diameter around the caseback and tapers to 45.5mm at the bezel.

The titanium case has a caseband made of sapphire crystal to maximize the view of the 3D details. The Greubel Forsey Tourbillon 24 Secondes Architecture will be limited to 65 pieces and only eleven of them will see the light of day this year. Going forward, another 18 pieces are expected to be made on an annual basis right up until the year 2025.