WORDS
Eleanor Pryor
Since it launched in 2004, Greubel Forsey has been at the cutting edge of haute horlogerie, both in its technically accomplished watchmaking and its boundary-pushing aesthetics. Its latest creation, the Tourbillon 24 Secondes Architecture, represents the culmination and next chapter of this expertise, featuring an innovative case structure that allows for unfettered admiration of the technical marvel that lies at the heart of the watch.
The dial is an impressive example of skeletonisation, and the intriguing architectural forms of the movement are unveiled to full effect to the front. More uniquely, it can also be viewed through the synthetic sapphire crystal ring around the periphery of the caseband. This not only allows every angle to be examined in exacting detail, but allows the light to flow in, playing with the shadows and reflections achieved through the finishing on the movement. The case itself has an unusual conical frustum shape. Here the diameter of the caseback (47.05mm) is slightly wider than that of the bezel (45.50mm). This enables the movement to be fully showcased, while bringing the illusion of a slightly svelter profile on the wrist.
After all, the new calibre is the star of the show. Comprising 354 parts, this complex piece of mechanics is as beautiful as it is technical. At 6 o’clock, you’ll find the Tourbillon 24 Secondes, which combines a fast rotation speed in addition to a 25° inclination to deliver precise and reliable performance. Meanwhile, the timepiece’s impressive 90-hour power reserve, indicated by a moving red triangle over a conical disk at 3 o’clock, is thanks to the carefully calibrated three coaxial series-coupled fast-rotating barrels.
Like all Greubel Forsey’s watches, this model is only available in limited quantities, due to its complex and hand-crafted nature; just 11 pieces in 2022, with a total of 65 pieces overall to be produced up until 2025.