Greubel Forsey

Background

Basel 2004 was widely considered to be a vintage year as far as innovations and surprises go. As with preceding years, many of these exciting new products came from AHCI members and candidates.

Two such candidates, Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey, stunned Basel in 2004 with not one, but two major surprises.

The first was their innovative and very distinctive, three dimensional, double-axle tourbillon. Literally, a tourbillon within a tourbillon.

Named the Double Tourbillon 30 degrees, due to the angle between the two tourbillon carriages, Greubel Forsey have set, or perhaps it is more accurate to say offset, a one minute tourbillon inside a larger four minute tourbillon carriage.

The idea behind the twin off-set tourbillons was to make the tourbillon more relevant to the wrist watch. Invented by Abraham-Louis Breguet over 200 years ago, the original single-axis tourbillon was developed to average out the effects of gravity on the balance of a pocket watch in its normal vertical position.This was of limited benefit at best in a constantly moving wristwatch,where positional variations cause timing errors.Multi-axis tourbillons average out positional errors by addressing the changes of rate from the horizontal and vertical positions,which enables a more stable beat rate.

While the watch itself is very sophisticated,the philosophy behind it was simplicity itself;  simply to make a better timekeeper.

The fundamental research into multi-axis tourbillons was first carried out by British clockmakers,Anthony Randall and Richard Good, around 30 years ago. They both used double, and even triple, tourbillon carriages mounted at 90 degree angles in clocks.

Greubel Forsey found that mounting a one-minute tourbillon within a 30 degree offset tourbillon carriage with a four minute rotation, ensured a better chronometric performance while still maintaining an acceptable depth to the watch.It is practially impossible to hold the watch with the balance in a horizontal position.This configuration also has the benefit of allowing the whole of the Double Tourbillon to be admired.

                  


As intended,Greubel Forsey's invention makes a marked difference in improved time-keeping performance.The above graph, showing results from Greubel Forsey's internal testing, compares the results of the variations in rate of Greubel Forsey's own double-axis tourbillon movement in the different positions, with more conventional balance set-ups.They first tested the balance on its own,with a standard tourbillon and then with their double-axis tourbillon.The theoretical ideal would be represented by a straight vertical line and as shown,the Double Tourbillon 30 degrees gets closest to that ideal.

A watch is much more than 'just' a good movement and it is the complete package that makes this watch much more than the sum of its (many) parts.The architecture of the movement is designed, not only for function,but also to show off the main features of the movement.The solid gold, two-piece dial has four substantial blued security screws;  not only to do they make a strong visual statment,they are vital in keeping the heavy dial in place.Design elements throughout the case,dial and movement,all serve to highlight the myriad intricacies within. It comes as no surprise to learn that the 'look' of the watch was developed in parallel with the movement rather than as an afterthought.

As innovative and inventive as the concept was, what really blew the Basel cognoscenti away was the fact that Greubel and Forsey, in their very first year, were presenting not just a concept, or a (barely) working prototype,but had on display a superbly finished watch already available for delivery.

Recently, Curtis and I were very fortunate to be invited to Greubel Forsey in La Chaux de Fonds to take a closer look at the team behind this remarkable watch.

The Visit

So non-descript was the exterior of the Ancien Manege (old riding-school), that we drove and even walked past it a number of times before venturing inside. However, the drab exterior belies a stunning decorated interior courtyard, which was undergoing a well deserved and very well executed restoration at the time of our visit.

           

The 30 degree Double Tourbillon took four long years to see the light of day.                                                                       Robert Greubel (left) and Stephen Forsey (right)

Stephen then set a closed cardboard box on the table which piqued our curiousity - as he no doubt knew it would. We quickly opened it to reveal a working Meccano model of the double tourbillon concept. This was operated by crank.

We then moved to the CAD desk where movements and parts are extensively designed and even virtually tested before the first prototypes are made. Sophisticated 3D programs take a lot of the guess work out of movement design, and they certainly speed the development process up, however, there is still a big gap between a model working on screen and in reality. Once the movement is working on screen, prototypes have to be made to test that the concept and design is valid in the real world.

          

Computer stress testing of parts.                                                           CAD movement design.

It should be noted that while some production parts are manufactured by outside partners to Greubel Forsey's exacting standards, all prototyping is done in-house. Suppliers are only asked to make what the company has already done themselves. Greubel Forsey also share with their partners the techniques and methods that they have developed so as to make sure that the high quality that they demand is met.Many pieces are also manufactured in-house.

 

        

Stephen and Robert had decided very early on in the project that their watches were not only going to be technical masterpieces, they would also be finished to the high level they thought that their watch deserved. Indeed, even highly respected watchmakers known for their fine finishing have commented on the superb level of finishing that Greubel Forsey have attained.

        

It is not enough to just make the parts or have them made and then polish them up. All components are rigorously controlled and have to pass both the testing laboratory and quality control before being passed as perfect before use. Parts undergo exhaustive and demanding checks to ensure that they confirm to the exacting requirements Greubel Forsey expect.All pieces are tested to make sure they are 'physically' up to the job in hand and checked over in every minute detail to ensure they conform exactly to the specifications demanded.

And last, but certainly not least, the two watch-makers; Frederic and Merja, who are responsible for assembling over 300 (nearly) finished parts. It is also their job to apply the final black polish -the hardest and highest level of finish - where called for as this needs to be applied just before the piece is assembled to avoid the slightest microscopic mark or scratch.

        

Merja who is Finnish,studied at the respected Kelloseppäkoulu (Watchmakers School) just outside Helsinki and was also at Renaud and Papi.She then worked elsewhere before finding Greubel Forsey's Double Tourbillon 30 degree more to her tastes.