In a highly mechanised industry where the concept of ‘hand made’ is often opaque, it is refreshing to see Greubel Forsey’s transparent approach to reaching its highest standards.
Hand Made 2 embodies the ultimate pursuit of hand watchmaking. Every component, whether visible or hidden, is created, finished, and assembled by hand with unprecedented rigor. Nearly 6,000 hours are required to complete the 270 components of this four handed 40.9 mm timepiece , 96% of which are entirely handmade.
Distinctly Greubel Forsey yet revolutionary, Hand Made 2 pushes technical and aesthetic boundaries. Its large conical jewel symbolises this pursuit. In its workshop, Greubel Forsey preserves rare skills, develops unique expertise, and passes it on to future generations with an inexhaustible passion for innovation.
All components, except five – sapphire crystals, case gaskets, spring bars, mainspring, and most jewels – are crafted by hand using traditional tools such as a precision lathe, a jig-borer, or a pantograph. A major milestone of the Hand Made 2 is the creation of a handcrafted conical jewel for the power reserve indicator, advancing handcraftsmanship even further.
Each component is manually machined with tolerances of just a few microns, achieving a precision comparable to modern CNC machines. Every component, whether visible or hidden, is meticulously finished by hand. Each timepiece is assembled entirely by hand by a single watchmaker.
Each balance spring is made from a carefully selected alloy for its unique properties and individually adjusted by an expert watchmaker. This complex process, including coiling, cutting, and manually adjusting terminal curves, ensures perfect synchronisation with the balance wheel. The barrel and balance bridges create remarkable harmony, each enhanced by five artisanal finishes: frosted, black-polished, straight-grained, polished flanks and bevels, and the polished chamfers accented by olive-domed jewels set in gold chatons.
The barrel and balance bridges create remarkable harmony, each enhanced by five artisanal finishes: frosted, black-polished, straight-grained, polished flanks and bevels, and the polished chamfers accented by olive-domed jewels set in gold chatons.
The hand-frosted German silver contrasts beautifully with the Grand Feu enamel dials for the hours, small seconds, and power reserve. Blued steel hands, deep red rubies, golden reflections of wheels and barrels, and the bright edges of polished steel bridges bring a vibrant chromatic depth to every component. Beneath a thin bezel, the architectural movement opens up to the observer, offering a unique perspective throughout the timepiece. The case back extends this harmony, revealing a perfectly coherent mechanism where every detail reflects extraordinary handcraftsmanship.
The Hand Made 2 is not merely a watch; it is an invitation to admire excellence through a mechanical work of art. There will only be two to three such timepieces crafted each year, fulfilling their commitment to the highest level of craftsmanship.
For more information please visit Greubel Forsey