When we thought we’ve seen it all when it comes to Greubel Forsey, then they keep rising the bar even higher. What we can only describe as the pinnacle of the art of watchmaking, brings the new Greubel Forsey GMT Quadruple Tourbillon. Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey have chosen to revisit their second invention and to take it even further by combining it with their legendary multiple time zone display GMT. Available in a total limited edition of 66 pieces with 11 in white gold —just released—, the new Greubel Forsey GMT Quadruple Tourbillon features a case measuring 46.5 mm by 17.45 mm in thickness.
Things to Know About the Watch
In 2011, the two Inventor Watchmakers expressed their own vision of the world time function in the ground breaking timepiece aptly named the GMT, more recently joined by the GMT Earth. In this patented system, the second time zone indication on a separate subdial is paired with a universal time display providing an intuitive reading of the time around the world thanks to a world first: an oversized globe completing one full rotation every 24 hours.
The Inventor Watchmakers also tackled this challenge from an architectural angle to create a timepiece in which the three-dimensional approach is expressed on many levels. The main hours/minutes dial between 1 and 2 o’clock forms the highest point of the solid gold dial with anthracite time subdial, where it is underlined by the subtle asymmetry of the case and complemented by a 72-hour chronometric power-reserve display.
The next level is it at 4 o’clock, with the coaxial small seconds and second time zone display which is adjustable in one-hour increments by means of a pusher. Located between 8 and 9 o’clock, observers can admire the spectacular sight of the Earth in motion, surrounded by a fixed 24 hours ring around the Equator and displaying local time for all the longitudes —simultaneously taking account of the day/night indicator on respectively light/dark zones.
Additionally, a lateral window in the asymmetrical section of the case provides an unprecedented view of the Equator and the Southern hemisphere. The four tourbillons gravitate in two pairs on either side of the blue planet, each featuring an open and transparent construction, secured by flat black polished bridges and adorned with gold chatons as well as hand-polished beveling and countersinks. A truly enchanting and exquisitely light choreography. A GMT pusher conveniently located at 5 o’clock on the caseband allows the wearer to advance the time zones with one-click very much like on a Patek Philippe World Time ref. 5231.
The Movement
In bringing the Quadruple Tourbillon and the GMT mechanisms together, Greubel Forsey not only accomplished a major technical feat that led to the creation of a new hand-wound calibre comprising 705 parts, including three fast-rotating barrels and 84 olive-domed jewels in gold chatons. The inner tourbillons are inclined at a 30° angle and make one full rotation every minute. As far as the outer tourbillons, these make a full rotation in 4 minutes.
Universal time is visible through the case back, with a fixed 24-hour scale bearing day/night zones and a disk with three-letter abbreviations of 24 cities representing the various time zones. This disk also distinguishes between the time zones that implement Summer Time —Daylight Saving Time— appearing in a light color; and those that do not are shown on a dark backdrop. The case back also provides a chance to admire the Quadruple Tourbillon as well as frosted bridges with jewels set in gold chatons.
On the Wrist & Price
On the wrist, the Greubel Forsey GMT Quadruple Tourbillon wears slightly bigger than its actual size and more like a 47-48 mm timepiece due to its thick case profile. And what can we tell you about this masterpiece of horology. From its black polishing to the movement architecture, and to the complexity of combining a world timer with a quadruple tourbillon, everything in between about this watch screams ‘haute horlogerie’. Available in a highly exclusive limited edition of 11 pieces only in white gold, it doesn’t get any better than this. Or perhaps it does and we’ll get to see that later this year or at the SIHH and Baselworld next year.
The pinnacle of watchmaking keeps reaching new heights with Greubel Forsey. Simply out of this world.
Sticker Price $800,000 USD. For more info on Greubel Forsey click here.
