SIHH 2013: Greubel Forsey (with live photos)

As is usual Greubel Forsey presented several beautifully conceived and finished timepieces. All of them are variations of existing movements, except for one. At SIHH GF unveiled the first timepiece from the brand that does not have a tourbillon.

Greubel Forsey Double Balancier 35°

Instead, the Double Balancier 35° has a pair of balance wheels, each inclined at 35 degrees. (This is the first officially launched GF watch with no tourbillon. GF made six watches with a similar concept for London retailer Marcus last year.)

Both oscillators are linked to a spherical differential, which averages out their individual rates. In between the twin exposed balance wheels is a constant seconds hand which displays the average of both balances. And at two o’clock is the 72 hour power reserve display.

The reason for a 35 degree incline is that it allows to a larger diameter balance wheel to be used, which mean higher inertia and thus better timekeeping.

Visually the watch is typical GF; even though GF has no one iconic design to speak of, like the Reverso or Royal Oak, its watches are all distinctive in design and construction. The Double Balancier 35° is no different. At 43.5 mm it is quite large and hefty. The dial features a frosted finish that GF usually employs on movement bridges.

The characteristic relief text on the case side of the Double Balancier 35°

This is a limited edition of six watches in white gold. Despite not being a tourbillon, it retails for a bit more than the Double Tourbillon 30°.

Another unusual watch from GF is the Double Tourbillon Technique in a black DLC coated titanium case with a stitched rubber strap; this same movement won the Concours de Chronométrie 2011.

Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon Technique in black titanium

I love the four-armed sapphire hand on the tourbillon carriage

While the movement finish and construction is beautiful, I am not a fan of the aesthetic. The all-black look went out of fashion some time ago, in my opinion.

First launched last year in platinum, the Tourbillon 24 Secondes Contemporain is now available in rose gold.

Greubel Forsey Tourbillon 24 Secondes Contemporain in red gold

Sapphire bridge for the tourbillon

It retains the striking blue titanium dial and sapphire chapter ring above the dial. The rose gold Contemporain is a limited edition of 33 pieces.

Likewise, the Quadruple Tourbillon Secret was also launched last year in a platinum case, it is now available in a rose gold case with a striking black dial. This is a limited edition of eight pieces.

Twin double tourbillons linked by a differential

Last is the ultimate travel watch, the Greubel Forsey GMT, which is now available in red gold. The globe on the front works as a day and night indicator, and it is linked to the cities disc on the rear.