Pre-SIHH 2017: Greubel Forsey - Grande Sonnerie. Until this year Greubel Forsey had not yet a Grande Sonnerie model in its collection. The wait is finally over. Greubel Forsey can finally add its name to the small group of watch manufacturers that have reached one of the absolute pinnacles in Haute Horlogerie: the development of a Grande Sonnerie complication.
After 11 years of research and development, Greubel Forsey will officially introduce the Grande Sonnerie model on occasion of the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie 2017 that will open in Geneva next Monday.
Five to eight individually numbered pieces of the Greubel Forsey Grande Sonnerie will be realised a year. Price: Swiss Francs 1,150,000.
Positioned in the very high-end segment of the fine watchmaking market since its founding in 2004, Greubel Forsey created exceptional timepieces such as the Double Tourbillon 30°, the Quadruple Tourbillon and the Quantième Perpétuel à Équation.
Nonetheless, until this year the brand based in La Chaux-de-Fonds had not a Grande Sonnerie model in its collection. The wait is finally over. Greubel Forsey can finally add its name to the small group of watch manufacturers that have reached one of the absolute pinnacles in Haute Horlogerie: the development of a Grande Sonnerie complication.
After eleven years of research and development striving to achieve absolute harmony between the movement, the exterior and the acoustics, Greubel Forsey will officially introduce the Grande Sonnerie model on occasion of the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie 2017 that will open in Geneva next Monday.
In this timeframe, Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey worked in secrecy to develop a timepiece which represents the quintessence of their expertise and their ideal of watchmaking excellence.
The most important elements and indications (such as the tourbillon, the cathedral gongs, the striking hammers, and the power reserve and mode indicators) were incorporated with the greatest care to ensure architectural balance. A great achievement by itself if you consider that the brand’s watchmakers had to house the 935 parts comprising this timepiece in a space measuring 43.5 mm in diameter and 16.13 mm high.
Crafted from hand-polished titanium and equipped with front and back asymmetrical convex synthetic sapphire crystals, the case also features a lateral window which offers an additional viewpoint over the precious Tourbillon 24 Secondes. Comprised of 86 parts, cage included, this tourbillon is inclined at a 25° angle performing a 24-seconds rotation. Its total weight is just 0.37 grams.
The multi-level black dial displays three striking modes to choose from using the 'Selection' white gold pusher positioned on the caseband at 4 o'clock: Grande Sonnerie (GS) which strikes the hours and the quarters in passing, Petite Sonnerie (PS) which strikes the full hours in passing and Silence (SL) which does not strike in passing.
The pure and rich sound of the Grande Sonnerie is enhanced by an acoustic resonance cage made from titanium.
The on-demand minute repeater can be activated by pressing the crown mounted pusher.
Beating at 21,600 vibrations per hour with a 72-hour chronometric power, the movement is manually wound but its striking mechanism features a self-winding system which provides about 20 hours of power reserve in Grande Sonnerie mode.
Nonetheless, until this year the brand based in La Chaux-de-Fonds had not a Grande Sonnerie model in its collection. The wait is finally over. Greubel Forsey can finally add its name to the small group of watch manufacturers that have reached one of the absolute pinnacles in Haute Horlogerie: the development of a Grande Sonnerie complication.
After eleven years of research and development striving to achieve absolute harmony between the movement, the exterior and the acoustics, Greubel Forsey will officially introduce the Grande Sonnerie model on occasion of the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie 2017 that will open in Geneva next Monday.
The most important elements and indications (such as the tourbillon, the cathedral gongs, the striking hammers, and the power reserve and mode indicators) were incorporated with the greatest care to ensure architectural balance. A great achievement by itself if you consider that the brand’s watchmakers had to house the 935 parts comprising this timepiece in a space measuring 43.5 mm in diameter and 16.13 mm high.
The multi-level black dial displays three striking modes to choose from using the 'Selection' white gold pusher positioned on the caseband at 4 o'clock: Grande Sonnerie (GS) which strikes the hours and the quarters in passing, Petite Sonnerie (PS) which strikes the full hours in passing and Silence (SL) which does not strike in passing.
The pure and rich sound of the Grande Sonnerie is enhanced by an acoustic resonance cage made from titanium.
The on-demand minute repeater can be activated by pressing the crown mounted pusher.
Beating at 21,600 vibrations per hour with a 72-hour chronometric power, the movement is manually wound but its striking mechanism features a self-winding system which provides about 20 hours of power reserve in Grande Sonnerie mode.
For the maximum peace of mind of the owner, eleven security functions protect the watch from operations that could damage the movement, for example when striking is in progress, during time setting or when the dedicated striking barrel is wound down.
Five to eight individually numbered pieces of the Greubel Forsey Grande Sonnerie will be realised a year. Price: Swiss Francs 1,150,000. greubelforsey.com
COMMENTS