When it launched in 2019, Greubel Forsey opened a new chapter in its history by creating the compact Balancier Contemporain, the first Greubel Forsey timepiece with a diameter of under 40mm – 39.6mm to be precise.
The movement has been created especially to fit the specified dimensions, the challenge being not only to house the large balance wheel within a small space, but also more importantly to achieve a harmonious creation with optimal proportions, crafted with precise attention to detail.
The 5N red gold version of the Balancier Contemporain plays on the differences in levels, materials, volumes and finishes, while perfectly illustrating the world of Greubel Forsey.
At 6 o’clock, the large balance wheel catches the eye. Its impressive 12.6mm diameter gives it optimal performance. It is reflected against the backdrop of a black-polished gold plate, reinforcing the sense of depth to the movement.
The caseback of this timepiece reveals a true work of art created with all the mastery of traditional artisanal hand finishing of Greubel Forsey timepieces. A circular engraved red gold disc is displayed in the centre, surrounded by a white gold bridge, which features the Atelier’s key values written in engraved and black-polished letters.
The Balancier Contemporain in 5N red gold takes us on a fascinating architectural journey, where three-dimensionality is explored on every level. The unique architecture is showcased through the greatest attention to detail and expert hand finishing.
For more information please visit https://www.greubelforsey.com
Technical Specifications:
Movement:
Movement dimensions
• Diameter: 32.40mm
• Thickness: 9.20mm
Number of parts
• Movement: 255 parts
Number of jewels
• 33
• Olived-domed jewels in gold chatons
Chronometric power reserve
• 72 hours
Barrels
• Two series-coupled fast rotating barrels (1 turn in 3.2 hours), one of which is equipped with a slipping spring to avoid excess tension
• Barrel with relief engraving “Greubel Forsey”
Balance wheel
• In-house variable-inertia with 6 gold mean-time screws (12.60mm diameter)
• Stop balance activated by crown
Frequency
• 21’600 vibrations/hour
Balance spring
• Phillips terminal curve
• Geneva-style stud
Main plates
• Titanium, frosted and spotted, straight-grained flanks
Bridges
• Nickel silver, frosted and spotted with polishedbevelling and countersinks, straight-grainedflanks, nickel-palladium treatment
• Power-reserve bridge with galvanic growth
• Flat black polished steel balance wheel bridge,hand-polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks
• Flat black polished gold plate under the balancewheel, polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks
• Flat black polished gold plate on the movement side with relief engraved text, polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks with apparent gold chatons
• Central gold plate, “GF” engraved with the individual number
Gearing
• Involute circle profile
Displays
• Hours and minutes
• Small seconds
• 72-hours power reserve on a sector
Exterior:
Case
• In 18k 5N red gold with high domed synthetic sapphire crystal
• Transparent back with high domed synthetic sapphire crystal
• Three-dimensional, variable geometry-shaped lugs
• Raised polished engraving “Balancier” and “Greubel Forsey” on a hand-punched background
• Gold security screws
• Hand-polished bezel, caseband with hand-finished straight graining
• Hand-engraved individual number
Case dimensions
• Diameter: 39.60mm
• Height: 12.21mm
Water resistance of the case
• Water-resistant 3atm – 30m – 100ft (standard NIHS 92-20/SN ISO 22810:2010)
Crown
• In 18k 5N red gold with engraved and black lacquered GF logo
Dial
• Multi-level in gold, rhodium-coloured, black minute-circle, with a visual opening for the balance wheel, polished bevel
• Small seconds in gold, rhodium-coloured, polished bevel
• Power-reserve in gold, engraved and black lacquered, hand matt lapped
Hands
• Hours and minutes, small seconds and power-reserve in polished blued steel, hand-polished countersinks
Strap and clasp
• Hand-sewn alligator
• In 18k 5N red gold pin buckle, hand-engraved with the GF logo