Showing posts with label GREUBEL FORSEY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GREUBEL FORSEY. Show all posts

Friday, November 1, 2024

GREUBEL FORSEY – Nano Foudroyante EWT Edition


GREUBEL FORSEYNano Foudroyante EWT Tourbillon Tantalum / White Gold 37,9 mm 20th Anniversary Limited Edition 2024

 GREUBEL FORSEY UNVEILS ITS 10TH FUNDAMENTAL INVENTION

To celebrate the 20th anniversary (2004-2024), Greubel Forsey presents its 10th Fundamental Invention: the Nano Foudroyante EWT. The mechanism’s energy is managed at the nanojoule scale, significantly reducing the number of components and the overall dimensions. 

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The result is a 37.9 mm timepiece that combines the world’s first perpetual Nano Foudroyante with Greubel Forsey’s first flying tourbillon and manual wind flyback. This timepiece, set in a white gold and tantalum case, will be limited to just 11 pieces.

LEGACY OF INNOVATION

The first Fundamental Invention by Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey was launched in 2004, marking the Atelier’s commitment to research and invention. For over 20 years, this focus has been at the heart of all Greubel Forsey’s Fundamental Inventions and timepieces. Today, Greubel Forsey’s research is even more fundamental, aiming to completely rethink the approach to the conception of a timepiece. This endeavor demonstrates a major technological leap, comparable to the transition from tower clocks to wristwatches.

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Originally, horological instruments were large and public. Over time, they became transportable (table clocks, marine chronometers), then portable with pocket watches, and finally wearable with wristwatches. This evolution reaches its peak today with nanomechanics — a revolution Greubel Forsey is pioneering. 

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Thus, Greubel Forsey introduces its 10th invention: the Nano Foudroyante. This new Fundamental Invention is the most technologically disruptive — not only for Greubel Forsey but also for the universe of mechanical watchmaking.

NANOMECHANICS: A NEW HORIZON

What is nanomechanics? It is a realm beyond the miniaturization of components to the nanometric scale. When we talk about nanomechanics, we’re talking about controlling energy on a nanojoule scale within a mechanical movement. 

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This revolution in energy management within a caliber allows for a drastic reduction in both energy consumption and the number of components.

A REVOLUTIONIZED MECHANISM

To demonstrate the feasibility of nanomechanics, Greubel Forsey has reinvented the foudroyante second. Its hand completes one revolution per second, dividing it into segments according to the movement’s frequency. In this Nano Foudroyante, each oscillation of the 3 Hz balance wheel produces two beats, totaling six beats per second, allowing the hand to divide the second into six distinct segments. This is an energy-intensive complication by nature. 

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However, by managing energy on a nanojoule scale, Greubel Forsey has radically rethought its design and construction. Compared to a traditional foudroyante that consumes 30 μJ (microjoules) per jump, the Nano Foudroyante operates with only 16 nJ (nanojoules) per jump, reducing energy consumption by a factor of 1,800

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The mechanism’s volume is therefore reduced by 90%. Here, the focus is not just on measuring fractions of a second but as a proof of concept for a completely new approach to watchmaking, which is why this Nano Foudroyante was chosen to be a perpetual display.

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It eliminates the entire gear train required in a traditional foudroyante to divide the second, as the information is sourced directly, distributing and managing the energy from the movement through a minimal number of low-inertia wheels. 

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Fewer components mean less volume: this Nano Foudroyante EWT is very compact, with 428 components, and the movement measures no more than 31 mm in diameter within a 37.9 mm case (the smallest ever built by Greubel Forsey).

HOROLOGY AT ITS PEAK

There’s more: true to Greubel Forsey’s passion for the tourbillon, this Nano Foudroyante is integrated within a flying tourbillon — the first ever made by Greubel Forsey. Finally, an additional innovation: although this flying tourbillon rotates constantly, the Nano Foudroyante’s dial remains permanently aligned towards twelve o’clock for optimal readability.

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Together with the flyback, these three features complete Greubel Forsey's 10th Fundamental Invention: a Nano Foudroyante, set within a flying tourbillon, with an oriented reading axis.

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This is just the foundation and not the end result: this 10th Invention is powered by a manual-winding flyback movement. This complication presented by Greubel Forsey, includes column-wheel control within the strong architectural design and exceptional finishing, a signature of Greubel Forsey.

A LIMITED EDITION MASTERPIECE

The timepiece will be made in a limited edition of just 11 pieces in this inaugural, refined version, emphasizing its disruptive technical character and highlighting the personality of a timepiece brilliantly conceived in the EWT (Experimental Watch Technology) laboratory.

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The white gold case offers an additional surprise, with a bezel and back crafted from tantalum — a first for Greubel Forsey, who have never used this material before. Known for its gray-blue sheen and complexity in machining and finishing (with a melting point above 3000°C), tantalum requires rare expertise. 

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The Atelier also preserves its essential aesthetic signatures, including polished relief engravings of “Nano Foudroyante” and “Greubel Forsey” on a hand-hammered background, hand-satin-finished white gold, and a highly architectural movement. This masterpiece displays the movement around its column wheel with rare 3D monobloc geometry, visible through the back. 

The timepiece is engraved with 2004 2024 and 20th Anniversary” to mark this milestone.

 ==================
 TECHNICAL DETAILS 

 Click , to see the large size. BIG FOTO 

Nano Foudroyante EWT
In white gold and tantalum
Hand-wound movement with 2 patents

MOVEMENT

NUMBER OF PARTS
• Movement: 428 parts
• Tourbillon cage: 142 parts
NUMBER OF JEWELS
42
• Olived-domed jewels in gold chatons
CHRONOMETRIC POWER RESERVE
• One full day, with chronograph engaged
FREQUENCY 21’600 vibrations/hour
TOURBILLON
• Flying Tourbillon with embedded Nano Foudroyante mechanism
• Foudroyante dial, constant vertical indication
• Titanium cage bridges, circlar-grained, polished bevelling, straight-grained flands with engraved GF logo
• Platinum counterweight

EXTERIOR 

CASE
• Tantalum and white gold with high domed synthetic sapphire crystal
• Tantalum hand-polished bezel, transparent tantalum back
• White gold caseband with hand-finished straight-graining
CASE DIMENSIONS
• Diameter: 37,90mm
• Height: 10,49mm
WATER RESISTANCE OF THE CASE
• Water-resistant 3atm - 30m - 100ft (standard NIHS 92-20/SN ISO 22810:2010)
DIAL SIDE
• Multi-level in gold, rhodium-coloured, engraved and black lacquered hour-ring and minute-circle with a visual opening for the tourbillon
• Small seconds and chronograph minutes counter in gold, polished bevel
• Foudroyante, frosted, fractions of seconds engraved and black lacquered
STRAP AND CLASP
• Non-animal material, hand-sewn
• White gold pin buckle, hand-engraved GF logo

🔰 Limitation 
Limited Edition Only ❱❱❱ 11 pieces.

🔴 Price on Request 💰


-----------------------------
Press Release - 2024
-----------------------------
-------------------------------------------------
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------
www.facebook.com - Greubel Forsey
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
www.GreubelForsey.com

Thursday, December 7, 2023

GREUBEL FORSEY – CONVEXE Balancier 3 Titanium 41.5 mm Edition


GREUBEL FORSEYCONVEXE Balancier 3 Titanium  41.5 mm Limited Edition 2023

Greubel Forsey opens a new gateway into its world, the Balancier 3.

This timepiece joins the Convexe collection, offering a more refined look. Featuring a majestic arch bridge and crafted over multiple levels, the openworked titanium piece is available in either black or blue finish. Both more rebust and more affordable while reinforcing the high chronometric standards and finishes that are synonymous with the Atelier.

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Almost 20 years were required for Greubel Forsey to embark on this challenge to produce an entirely new, more accessible timepiece with its own unique identity. To achieve this, the Atelier needed to start from scratch. How do you create a timepiece with a comfortable diameter into which the Atelier Manufacture movement can fit? How can you make the piece more affordable when it still has to be 100% hand finished? The Balancier 3 answers all of these questions.

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First comes the style. From the outset, the piece is characterised by its three prominent bridges: the first of which houses the barrel, the second for the large balance wheel, and the third, and most striking of all, is attached to the seconds counter and supports the hour and minute hands.

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All these bridges feature Greubel Forsey’s signature hand finishes: a curved polished surface, polished bevels and hand-polished screws. Each bridge includes its share of sharp internal angles and a curved profile that make the hand finishes particularly complex—details that will certainly be appreciated by collectors.

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This design joins the Convexe collection. The Balancier 3 features the iconic case, even slimmer than before. Its lugs no longer have screws—a first for Greubel Forsey. The Convexe case is profiled on both the back and display sides, making it truly unique in fine watchmaking. Offering total comfort, the piece naturally follows the curvature of the wrist. On the dial side, the double curvature dips towards each end of the strap, creating the highly aesthetic volumes that the movement uses to deploy itself.

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Then, there's the movement. It imbues the timepiece with a dynamic, modern style and offers impeccable chronometry while still becoming Greubel Forsey's most affordable creation. To achieve this, Greubel Forsey once again called on the considerable expertise of its teams. 

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The idea was to create a simple, streamlined and contemporary design that allows you to admire the finish of each of the movement's components. With this in mind, the Atelier focuses on the technical nature of its timepieces: from the source energy to the escapement that drives it, the barrels and the large balance wheel. The essence of the mastery of time.

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The two series-coupled fast-rotating barrels (one turn in 3.2 hours) clearly visible and decorated with the unique rotating graphics design that is becoming a staple of the Convexe collection. Together, they provide a chronometric power reserve of 3 full days. 

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The timepiece will continue to beat for many more hours but perhaps not with the same precise accuracy that Greubel Forsey specifications. The power reserve is shown on the case back for the first time in the Convexe collection.

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On the opposite side, the large balance wheel – “Balancier”, which gives the timepiece its name, can be found between 4 and 6 o’clock. Conveniently integrated into the design, this Greubel Forsey variable-inertia balance is balanced thanks to its 6 gold mean-time screws. 

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It boasts the Atelier's signature large diameter of 12.6 mm, one of the most majestic in contemporary fine watchmaking. Its oscillations echo the small second display at 8 o’clock with its fixed indicator, where it's actually the disc underneath, satin-finished by hand, that rotates and marks the passing seconds.

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And finally, the finishing. The wide bridge supporting the hour and minute hands is the best illustration of this. With its curved, three-dimensional, openworked design, multiple levels, numerous sharp internal angles, and refined arm connecting with the small seconds, it is a true tour de force. Its extremely complex geometry is a perfect match for its hand finishing. 

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This process is reproduced, both sides on the barrel bridge and the balance wheel bridge, which are exquisitely hand-polished and convex like the case that houses them.

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The Balancier 3 is available in a 41,5 mm diameter in two black and blue versions limited to 88 pieces each, with a rubber strap or a Greubel Forsey titanium bracelet upon request.

==================
 TECHNICAL DETAILS 

Balancier 3 Titanium Limited edition

Hand-wound movement • Hours and minutes • small
seconds • power-reserve • Greubel Forsey balance wheel system

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Movement
Movement dimensions
• Overall diameter: 35.80 mm
• Thickness: 9.03 mm
Number of parts
• Movement: 282 parts
Number of jewels • 43
• 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
• Relief-engraved text, circular-grained, black treatment
Balance wheel
• In-house variable-inertia with 6 gold mean-time screws (12.60 mm diameter)
Frequency • 21'600 vibrations/hour
Balance spring
• Phillips terminal curve
• Geneva-style stud
Bridges and main plate
• Titanium
• Frosted, polished bevelling and countersinks, black or blue treatment according to the version
• Multi-level, polished openworked arch bridge, polished bevelling and countersinks
Movement side
• Frosted bridges, polished edges and countersinks
• Gold plate with engraved limitation number, circular- grained, polished bevelling and countersinks, straight- grained flanks
Gearing
• Involute circle profile
Displays
• Hours and minutes, on suspended arch bridge
• Small seconds on disc
• Power reserve on a sector (movement side)

Exterior
Case
• Titanium with curved synthetic sapphire crystal
• Three-dimensional, variable geometry-shaped bezel, hand-polished with hand-finished straight graining
• Profiled lugs
• Transparent back with synthetic sapphire crystal
• Titanium security screws
• Raised engraving "Balancier 3" and "Greubel Forsey"
Case dimensions
• Caseband diameter: 41.50 mm
• Bezel diameter: 43.60 mm
• Case height: 13.35 mm
• Height on synthetic sapphire crystals: 13.55 mm
Water resistance of the case
• Water-resistant 5 atm - 50 m - 164 ft (standard NIHS 92-20/SN ISO 22810:2010)
Crown
• Titanium, polished and straight-grained, with GF logo
Dial side
• Three-dimensional, variable geometry hour-ring with engraved and lacquered minute-circle
• Three-dimensional, variable geometry hour indexes polished, with Super-Luminova
• Light alloy small seconds indicator, circular-grained
Hands
• Hours and minutes, curved profile, polished steel with Super-Luminova
• Small seconds, fixed red triangle
• Power-reserve, in polished steel, flat black polished head
Strap and clasp
• Non-animal material, rubber with texture in relief. titanium folding clasp, engraved GF logo
• On demand: 3-row metal bracelet in titanium, folding clasp with integrated fine adjustment, engraved GF logo

🔰 Limitation 
Limited Edition of 88 pieces.

🔴 Price : RRP   CHF 160’000💰 


-----------------------------
Press Release - 2023
-----------------------------
-------------------------------------------------
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------
www.facebook.com - Greubel Forsey
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
www.GreubelForsey.com

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

GREUBEL FORSEY – Tourbillon Cardan Titanium Edition

GREUBEL FORSEYArt of Invention Tourbillon Cardan Titanium 45.5 mm Edition 2023 

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Greubel Forsey unveils its 8th Fundamental Invention: the Tourbillon Cardan

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For many years, Greubel Forsey has been working on the development of a new type of tourbillon. Over the past three years, this tourbillon has transitioned from concept to reality and is now unveiled as the 8th Fundamental Invention of the Atelier. 
 
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To reach a new level of chronometric precision, the Tourbillon Cardan is based on three pillars: a rapid rotating tourbillon, a revolving 30° inclined plane and two constantly tilting rings.

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 For 20 years, Greubel Forsey has been working from the standpoint that contemporary watchmaking is far from having exhausted all the technical possibilities of fine watchmaking. The Atelier has proven this on seven landmark occasions, developing Fundamental Inventions that rethink the basics of movement regulation and other major complications. 

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This titanic undertaking, focused on chronometric performance, continues today with an 8th Invention: the Tourbillon Cardan.

An unprecedented tourbillon

The Tourbillon Cardan is designed to reach new heights of chronometric precision. It combines three principles. 
 
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The first: the tourbillon. The mechanism patented by Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1801 was designed to compensate for the differences in rate, in vertical positions. For Greubel Forsey, this was not the end, but the very beginning.

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While most tourbillons have a revolution of 60 seconds, that of the 8th Fundamental Invention is almost four times faster. Just 16 seconds. This is the fastest yet for a Greubel Forsey tourbillon. It moves through more positions in less time, and therefore offers much a higher average performance.

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What's more, this tourbillon incorporates, for the very first time, the large balance wheel designed, developed and made in-house by Greubel Forsey
 
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It benefits from the exemplary balance of its masses, its large size (12.6 mm) and its optimised oscillations. Its high inertia also makes it less sensitive to shocks and variations in speed.

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Second principle:
the 30° angle. The tourbillon, as it was conceived over two centuries ago, was designed for pocket watches worn vertically. For a wristwatch, its design needed to be totally rethought, optimised for the positions adopted in everyday 21st century life.

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Third principle:
this 30° high-speed tourbillon is guided by two mobile rings, linked by two 90° axes. In 48 seconds, they tilt backwards and forwards. This construction may seem reminiscent of gimbals, but is very different from a traditional gimbal where the two rings are free to move and their job is to keep the object they contain horizontal. 
 
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In the Tourbillon Cardan, the tilt of the rings is controlled (+30° to -30° range), while the degree of inclination of the tourbillon is inclined (also 30°) and never varies, offering a better ratio of angular velocity to chronometric performance.

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Chronometric power reserve

The Tourbillon Cardan has four barrels. This is a remarkable construction at Greubel Forsey (occurring just once in 20 years). They are coaxially stacked, with a slipping mainspring to prevent excess tension during winding. 
 
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They offer 80 hours of chronometric power reserve. Beyond that point, the timepiece still runs very well, but maybe outside the rigorous Greubel Forsey precision tolerances.

A new kind of aesthetic

As the tourbillon cannot be held in place by a fixed upper bridge, this function is performed by the two arched cardan rings. Without adopting the traditional construction, Greubel Forsey's 8th Fundamental Invention creates a new type of tourbillon with a flying appearance, which is both original and patented. 
 
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A seemingly complex construction but with a very small number of components, it offers an open, airy aesthetic that leaves the eye free to admire its kinematics.

100% hand-finished

Some components of the Tourbillon Cardan require up to three days for hand finishing alone. A number of unique finishes have been developed specifically for this timepiece. 
 
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Among them, the movement plates are in frosted nickel silver, with polished bevels and straight grained flanks while a titanium mainplate presents a large polished flank as a backdrop to the cardan. 
 
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Even more particular: the upper bridge of the tourbillon cage is made of frosted titanium with straight grained flanks and polished bevels, above and below. Finally, the arch is barrel-polished. It takes more than 30 hours to finish this single component.

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The cardan’s rings are matt finished, with polished bevels and straight grained flanks, while the lower plate is frosted by hand, a task that requires a particularly special expertise from the Atelier Manufacture. Finally, there are two dials (hours & minutes and seconds), one circular grained with polished flanks and a very large mirror finish angle, the other with a polished exterior flank.

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Greubel Forsey has also developed a high domed sapphire crystal for this piece. It houses the full height of the tourbillon and cardan system, offering a highly architectural technical vision. The view is completely unobstructed over the balance wheel measuring 12.6 mm in diameter. You can admire the majestic swaying of the two cardan rings into which it fits.

A maximum of 11 pieces per year

The Tourbillon Cardan will be available in a 45.5 mm titanium case. This metal was chosen for its modernity and lightness, in keeping with the airy aesthetic of the Cardan tourbillon.

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Greubel Forsey
plans to build just 55 pieces of the calibre over the next 5 years.

==================
 TECHNICAL DETAILS

 Tourbillon Cardan In titanium Hand-wound movement with patented Cardan Tourbillon
Cardan Tourbillon • hours and minutes • small seconds • power-reserve 

Movement
Movement dimensions
• Overall diameter: 39.60 mm
• Thickness: 13.53 mm
Number of parts
• Movement: 389 parts
• Cardan tourbillon cages: 98 parts
• Weight of the cage: 0.92 g
Number of jewels 49
• Olived-domed jewels in gold chatons
Chronometric power reserve • 80 hours
Barrels   • Four coaxial series-coupled fast-rotating barrels (1 turn in 2.7 hours), one of which is equipped with a slipping spring to avoid excess tension
• Relief-engraved text, circular-grained, black treatment, polished chamfer
Balance wheel • In-house variable-inertia with 6 gold mean-time screws (12.60 mm diameter)
Frequency • 21’600 vibrations/hour
Balance spring • Phillips terminal curve
• Geneva-style stud
Bridges and main plates • Titanium and nickel silver, frosted and spotted, polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks
• Hand-bevelled and openworked cage pillars
Movement side • Flat black polished steel tourbillon bridge, polished bevelling and countersinks
• Gold plate engraved with the individual number, circular-grained, polished bevelling, straight-grained flanks

Click , to see the large size. BIG FOTO 

Cardan Tourbillon
• Ultra-fast inner tourbillon cage (1 rotation in 16 seconds) in titanium, barrel-polished and hand-bevelled, inclined at a 30° angle with gold counterweight
• Outer flying Cardan cages, 48-seconds cycle, double variable tilt at 30°, polished and hand-bevelled,
straight-grained flanks
Gearing
• Involute circle profile
• Conical gearing with profiled teeth
Displays
• Hours and minutes
• Small seconds
• Power reserve on a sector

Exterior

Case
• Titanium with high domed synthetic sapphire crystal
• Transparent back with high domed synthetic sapphire crystal
• Hand-polished bezel, caseband with hand-finished straight graining
• Titanium security screws
• Raised polished engraving “Tourbillon Cardan” and “Greubel Forsey” on a hand-punched background
Case dimensions
• Caseband diameter: 45.50 mm
• Bezel diameter: 46.00 mm
• Case height: 13.81 mm
• Height on synthetic sapphire crystals: 18.15 mm
Water resistance of the case
Water-resistant 3 atm - 30 m - 100 ft (standard NIHS 92-20/SN ISO 22810:2010)
Crown • Titanium, polished, with GF logo
Dial side
• Multi-level gold dial with openworked pillars, circular-grained with engraved and lacquered minute-
circle, polished flanks
• Gold hour markers
• Small seconds and power-reserve indicators in gold, engraved and lacquered
• Engraved and lacquered GF logo
Hands
• Hours and minutes in polished steel, with Super- LumiNova
• Small seconds and power-reserve in polished steel, hand-polished countersink, flat black polished head
Strap and clasp
• Non-animal material, hand-sewn
• Titanium folding clasp, engraved GF logo

🔰 Limitation 
Limited Edition of 55 pieces (maximum of 11 pieces per year).


-----------------------------
Press Release - 2023
-----------------------------
-------------------------------------------------
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------
www.facebook.com - Greubel Forsey
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
www.GreubelForsey.com