Greubel Forsey Unveils Its 10th Fundamental Innovation: The Nano Foudroyante EWT
In the world of haute horlogerie, Greubel Forsey continues to make waves with the introduction of the Nano Foudroyante EWT, its 10th fundamental invention. This intricately designed timepiece is housed within a compact 37.9mm case and features a flying tourbillon alongside a flyback chronograph. With only 11 units available, each priced at CHF 465,000, this luxury watch is certainly not accessible to everyone. Despite being a relatively young brand at just 20 years old, Greubel Forsey has established an impressive portfolio that includes multi-axis tourbillons, high-end sports watches, and even miniature globes. This extensive repertoire makes the announcement of the Nano Foudroyante EWT and its numerous innovations all the more remarkable.
Understanding the Foudroyante Complication
To fully appreciate the advancements presented with this new model, it’s important to clarify what a “foudroyante” is. This French term translates to “sudden” or “violent” and refers to a rare watch complication that displays fractions of a second. This mechanism is typically power-intensive, as the seconds hand completes a full rotation every second. The foudroyante can be integrated with a chronograph for precise timing or operate independently, as seen in this model. Operating at a frequency of 3Hz, the movement releases the escape wheel six times a second, enabling the foudroyante hand to move in six distinct intervals across its sub-dial. This marks a significant new feature for Greubel Forsey.
Innovative Design Features
Another standout aspect of the Nano Foudroyante EWT is its foudroyante sub-dial, which appears to float above the flying tourbillon. This innovative design allows the sub-dial to rotate in sync with the tourbillon cage while maintaining its vertical orientation through a differential gear system. This engineering achievement is impressive, especially considering that the tourbillon alone consists of 142 components, comparable to the complexity found in many traditional time-only movements.
Introducing the Flyback Chronograph
In addition to the foudroyante, the watch features the brand’s inaugural flyback chronograph. This is surprising given Greubel Forsey’s expertise in horological complications. The chronograph is elegantly displayed with a 60-minute counter positioned at nine o’clock and a centrally mounted seconds hand. Remarkably, all these features are contained within the smallest case ever produced by Greubel Forsey, enhancing the classical aesthetic of the timepiece, which is crafted from tantalum and white gold.
Exquisite Craftsmanship
Flipping the watch over reveals a deceptively intricate movement that showcases the brand’s renowned hand-finishing. The elegantly sweeping bridges provide a glimpse into the sophisticated mechanics below, which include a visible column wheel along with various levers and gears. However, the intricate workings of the flyback mechanism and many components related to the foudroyante are strategically located on the dial side, making them challenging to spot. For those who take a closer look, the characteristic relief engraving on the chronograph seconds wheel is still present for enthusiasts with a keen eye.
A Leap in Efficiency
The most astonishing aspect of the Nano Foudroyante EWT is not merely the numerous innovations it showcases for Greubel Forsey but also the optimization of the foudroyante seconds complication. The term “Nano” in its name signifies the shrinking of components rather than the use of nanotechnology, resulting in a system that consumes 1,800 times less energy than traditional flying seconds complications. Originally unveiled by Greubel Forsey in 2017, this technology is now featured in this exclusive model. To illustrate this efficiency, the watch requires only 1.6 nanojoules of energy per tick, in stark contrast to the 30 microjoules needed by standard foudroyante mechanisms. This allows the Nano Foudroyante EWT to achieve a 24-hour power reserve while operating the chronograph, a commendable feat given the energy demands of both functions.
Pricing and Availability of the Nano Foudroyante EWT
The Greubel Forsey Nano Foudroyante EWT is limited to just 11 pieces, each with a price tag of CHF 465,000 (approximately US$540,000, excluding taxes).
Brand: Greubel Forsey
Model: Nano Foudroyante EWT
Case Dimensions: 37.9mm (D) x 10.49mm (T)
Case Material: Tantalum and white gold
Water Resistance: 30 meters
Crystal: Sapphire front and back
Dial: Textured silver
Bracelet: Non-animal material with a white gold pin buckle
Movement: Manually wound, in-house
Power Reserve: 24 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, flyback chronograph, flying tourbillon, foudroyante
Availability: 11 pieces
Price: CHF 465,000
