GREUBEL FORSEY – BALANCIER Contemporain in Red Gold

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GREUBEL FORSEY – BALANCIER Contemporain in Red Gold 2021

BALANCIER CONTEMPORAIN
A new red gold case for the Balancier Contemporain

 In 2019, Greubel Forsey opened a new chapter in its history by presenting the particularly compact Balancier Contemporain, the first Greubel Forsey timepiece with a diameter of 39.6mm. Embodying all the codes of Greubel Forsey, exploring all three dimensions in detail without ever compromising on chronometric performance, the Balancier Contemporain is a real tour de force. Following the initial white gold version, it is now offered in a new 5N red gold case with a rich, multi-level contrasting dial.

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Composed of 255 parts, all created and hand finished in the Greubel Forsey spirit of fine craftsmanship, the Balancier Contemporain represents a true architectural accomplishment.  

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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. 

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he 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.

A Greubel Forsey balance wheel for enhanced stability and performance

At 6 o’clock, the large balance wheel – developed and built entirely within the Greubel Forsey Atelier – 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.

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The regulating organ is equipped with a balance wheel stop function that can be activated by pulling the crown. The six gold adjustable screws have been placed inside the felloe to allow for a very precise adjustment, thereby limiting air friction and any resulting disturbance, ultimately providing improved results, better chronometric performance and easier adjustment.

The entire world of Greubel Forsey in 39.6mm

With a diameter of only 39.6mm and a height of 12.21mm, the proportions of the Balancier Contemporain make it particularly unique, especially as Greubel Forsey timepieces usually have a larger diameter.

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The red gold case is enhanced by three-dimensional variable geometry-shaped lugs that create subtle and elegant curves. These unique proportions are accentuated by contrasting finishes: a fully polished bezel and lugs, with a satin-brushed caseband and caseback. Above the bezel, the high-domed sapphire crystal adds further depth to the movement.

An architectural voyage

The Balancier Contemporain takes us on an architectural voyage several stories high. The journey begins with a black polished gold plate where the balance wheel takes pride of place at 6 o’clock. Higher up, a frosted and bevelled bridge reveals the barrel drum with Greubel Forsey engraving. At 8:30, the small seconds hand moves on a slightly higher level.

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Higher up still, a delicate hand-frosted bridge displays the 72-hour power reserve, which is brought to life by a slender blued steel hand. Further east, at 2 o’clock, the contrasting colours accentuate the temporal indications, and the off-centre position of the hour/minute dial is accentuated by the anthracite finish of the minute circle.

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Positioned on a raised tripod bridge, the hours and minutes are displayed by two blued steel hands with a hand-polished flat surface and countersinks. The voyage ends with an opening in the dial that allows a glimpse of the large balance wheel, with its bevelled and black-polished bridge.

A work of art hidden from view

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, along with the characteristic olive-domed jewels set in gold chatons.

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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. With its unique proportions, the Balancier Contemporain is a culmination of expertise encapsulating the whole Greubel Forsey universe.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Collection: BALANCIER

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Model: BALANCIER Contemporain
In 5N red gold
Hand-wound movement

Timepiece with four hands
• hours and minutes
• small seconds
• power-reserve
• GREUBEL FORSEY balance wheel system
• stop balance

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 polished
bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, 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 balance
wheel, 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
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

Limitation  Limited Edition: Only 18 pieces

• Price: CHF 195,000

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Press Release - 2021
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GREUBEL FORSEY SA
For further information: 
Communication Department 
press@greubelforsey.com – +41 79 194 2884
Eplatures-Grise -16 P.O. Box 670 
2301 La Chaux-de-Fonds - Switzerland
+41 32 925-4545
+41 32 925-4502
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