Renowned for their extravagant timepieces featuring multiple tourbillons, Greubel Forsey has unveiled a new watch that stands out for its modesty in both size and design. This latest model, while seemingly understated, is making headlines for its innovative approach to energy efficiency, showcasing the brand’s 10th Fundamental Invention—a unique energy-saving foudroyante. Personally, I’ve always found fast-rotating foudroyante hands to be somewhat distracting. Thus, my initial reaction to receiving details on Greubel Forsey’s latest creation was one of skepticism. However, the reported case size of 37.9mm piqued my interest, prompting me to delve deeper into what this new release entails. A smaller offering from Greubel Forsey is indeed noteworthy, and to my surprise, it marks the brand’s inaugural foray into chronographs, a detail that was not heavily emphasized in the press release. Additionally, it features their first flying tourbillon, a departure from their typical multi-tourbillon designs. The combination of a well-proportioned 37.9mm diameter and 10.5mm thickness makes this chronograph a significant development for the brand, which is also celebrated for its exceptional craftsmanship and movement finishing. This piece is likely to attract the attention of serious collectors with substantial budgets.
Press Release Highlights
The press release highlights that in celebration of their 20th anniversary (2004-2024), Greubel Forsey is introducing the Nano Foudroyante EWT as their 10th Fundamental Invention. This innovative mechanism operates at the nanojoule level, which greatly reduces both the number of components and the overall size of the watch. The result is a compact 37.9mm timepiece that uniquely combines the world’s first perpetual Nano Foudroyante with Greubel Forsey’s inaugural flying tourbillon and manual wind flyback feature. This model, crafted from white gold and tantalum, is limited to just 11 pieces.
Understanding Nanomechanics
This new invention is described as being a major technological advancement, not only for Greubel Forsey but for the entire mechanical watch industry. So, what exactly is nanomechanics? It refers to the manipulation of energy at the nanometric scale within mechanical movements. This breakthrough in energy management facilitates a significant decrease in both energy usage and component count.
Foudroyante Functionality Explained
The press release elaborates on the significance of the “10th Fundamental Invention.” A foudroyante is a hand that completes a full rotation every second, allowing for the measurement of fractions of a second. Typically integrated into a chronograph for enhanced precision, the foudroyante in this case operates independently from the chronograph function, making it ineffective for precise timekeeping. Instead, it is linked to the escapement, continuously rotating atop the flying tourbillon without the ability to be stopped. Interestingly, the concept of a foudroyante originated in the 1850s with Tixier, who designed a similar hand for use as a simple seconds indicator.
Innovative Design Features
Greubel Forsey’s approach to advancing the foudroyante mechanism is intriguing, although the press release offers limited details. The system appears to build upon their 2017 Nano release and includes a small gear module designed to improve efficiency and reduce size. The term EWT refers to Exceptional Wheel Technology, which is applied to the escapement wheel to enable six jumps per second. In this new model, the display is positioned dial-side for practicality, rather than being lateral and visible through the case flank. One might question the rationale behind integrating such complexity into a tourbillon, which is inherently designed to enhance precision. The tourbillon cage comprises 142 parts, but the manufacturer assures that its lightweight design does not compromise accuracy, as the essence of the “nano” concept is to demonstrate the ability to miniaturize mechanisms.
Power Reserve Insights
While I remain skeptical about the utility of the foudroyante, the intricate design of the flying tourbillon is undeniably impressive. Another significant claim made in the press release pertains to a “revolution in energy management,” as foudroyantes typically demand considerable energy. However, the watch is reported to have a power reserve of only 24 hours when the chronograph is in operation, which is somewhat underwhelming. Upon inquiry, the brand clarified that the actual power reserve is approximately 40 hours, but the press release mentions a “chronometric power reserve” of 24 hours to maintain optimal performance, advising users to keep the watch well-wound.
Introducing the First Chronograph
Shifting focus, it’s important to discuss the remarkable chronograph itself, which is Greubel Forsey’s first. Curiously, the press release offers scant information, merely noting that it is a “manual wind flyback” mechanism. This lack of emphasis on such a significant milestone is surprising. The movement measures 31mm in diameter, allowing it to fit comfortably within the modestly sized watch. This compact caliber features 428 components and operates as a hand-wound, column-wheel actuated flyback chronograph with a vertical clutch. As expected, the movement showcases the exceptional finishing typical of Greubel Forsey, including exquisite chamfers and surface treatments. Although some angles may be challenging, nothing appears overly complex at first glance. The case is fashioned from white gold, with a tantalum bezel and caseback, and it is paired with a hand-sewn vegan strap complemented by a white gold folding clasp, engraved with the brand’s GF monogram. Limited to only 11 pieces, this exquisite timepiece is priced at CHF 465,000.
