Greubel Forsey Launches Double Balancier Sapphire In North America For $695,000

Photo Credit: Greubel Forsey

High-end and exclusive luxury watchmaker Greubel Forsey launches its Double Balancier Sapphire timepiece, exclusively for its North American market. Priced at USD 695,000, the gorgeous timepiece took inspiration from elements of transparency of light.

“Every USA collaboration has been very successful for us with complete sell through and in fact sell out,” began Steven Rostovsky, North American distributor for Greubel Forsey. “We are very excited to share this spectacular timepiece with our market.”

Photo Credit: Greubel Forsey

The Double Balancier—the brand’s sixth Fundamental Invention—was created with the goal of taking timekeeping precision to a whole new level. With that in mind, the Double Balancier uses two fixed oscillators on two different axes on precise, predetermined angles. Therefore, the effects of gravity have less of an effect on the watch, which decreases the margin of error in timekeeping by half, and therefore, maximizing the precision of timing overall.

The sapphire crystal case—which requires over 900 hours of machining—allows for an abundant amount of light to pass through. The timepieces’ three-dimensional architecture is then enhanced from every angle, revealing the enhanced dial and movement with varied materials and finishes. Every single piece of the watch is beautifully executed, even down to the signature Greubel Foresey philosophy wording, subtly engraved around the flanks of the movement itself.

Additional details include black polishing, satin finishing, circular-graining, hand-beveling and a hand-polished blue gold dial. The words “Greubel Forsey” are engraved on two gold plates with the number of each timepiece, while the setting has olive-domed jewels in polished gold chains. Anti-reflective coatings are present on both sides of the crystals for further enhanced transparency as well.

Technical Details

• Movement dimensions
  • Diameter – 36.40 mm
  • Thickness – 8.15 mm
• Number of parts
  • Movement – 284 parts
  • Excitement platform – 2 x 71 parts
  • Spherical constant differential – 30 parts
• 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
• Balance wheels: Variable-inertia with gold mean-time screws (10 mm diameter)
• Balance springs
  • Phillips terminal curve
  • Geneva-style stud
• Main plates: Nickel silver, frosted and spotted, with polished beveling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, gray PVD treatment
• Displays
  • Hours and minutes
  • Small seconds
  • 4-minute spherical constant differential rotation
  • 72-hours power reserve on a sector
• Case
  • Synthetic sapphire
  • Bezel, case and casebook machined from a block of sapphire, completely polished
  • Three-dimensional, variable geometry-shaped lugs
  • Gold sight ring, engraved on the periphery with the values of the brand, filled with lacquer
  • Engraving “Double Balancier” and “Greubel Forsey”
  • Engraved individual number
• Case dimensions
  • Diameter – 47.25 mm
  • Height – 13.81 mm
• Water resistance of the case: Water-resistant 3 atm – 30m – 100 ft
• Crown: Synthetic sapphire with engraved GF logo
• Dial
  • Multi-level in gold, blue color, flat back polished
  • Differential rotation and small seconds indicators in gold
• Hands
  • Hours and minutes in polished gold with Super-LumiNova
  • Small seconds, 4-minutes in polished blue steel
  • Power-reserve in polished gold
• Strap and clasp
  • Hand-sewn alligator or rubber
  • Titanium folding clasp, engraved with the GF logo