Historically known for its oversized, over-complicated watches, Greubel Forsey appears to be taking a step in a different direction as its resizes two of its bestselling sports watches, the Balancier Convexe S2 and Double Balancier Convexe. The Convexe duo are now thinner and smaller, while retaining the same ovoid form with a curved profile that characterises the brand’s sports watches.

While the difference in case size between the earlier models and the new pair is worth noting, the downsizing is arguably more significant in its implications for the direction of the brand, which also recently announced an expansion to its sloping, glass-box manufacture.

The Double Balancier Convexe (left), and Balancier Convexe S2

Initial thoughts 

A reduction in size from Greubel Forsey is rather unexpected since its watches have traditionally been unashamedly large. To be fair, the brand utilised the large cases well to best display the complex movements and expert finishing. However, the extra-large watches, along with typically hefty price tags, have always placed the brand in a niche of its own – not only did buyers need the means to buy a six-figure watch, but also have the wrist circumference to pull it off. 

While we have seen a shift in taste over the last couple of years towards decreasing case diameters, Greubel Forsey and its peer in the same price range, namely Richard Mille, had seemed immune to the change – or simply resistant. So, while the seemingly innocuous reduction of 1-2 mm in case diameters for the new Convexe pair may merely seem to be on trend, it could speak to a more substantive change in the company’s trajectory. 

Greubel Forsey is set to nearly triple the space of its manufacture over the next three years, with a corresponding increase in production numbers. Though left unsaid by the brand, the commercial rationale behind the expansion is to grow the brand’s market share in the ultra-luxury sports watch segment and perhaps take market share from the likes of Richard Mille, the dominant name in the space. It would appear that the latest iterations of its sports models fit squarely into this strategy, which has propelled Richard Mille towards a multi-billion dollar valuation and extraordinary profitability.

The Double Balancier Convexe

As for the watches themselves, the reduction in case sizes makes perfect sense, as it makes the pair more wearable without any detrimental effect to aesthetics or mechanics. That being said, these watches are not svelte by any stretch of the imagination. Both still measure over 41 mm across and over 12 mm high, meaning they will still carry a significant presence on the wrist. Notably, the measurements give them a form comparable to Richard Mille’s standard, tonneau-case offering, particularly with the curvature of the Convexe case.

Both models look largely the same as their larger predecessors and the movements are mechanically identical. Minimising the volume of these complex movements is not an easy task, especially with the Double Balancier Convexe, but it would appear that Greubel Forsey were able to do it with practically no substantial alternations to the movements. However, it does appear that the finishing of the movements has been dialled back slightly – which is increasingly evident with the sports watches compared to the brand’s historical output – with less intricate decoration deployed across both movements.

Smaller but just as sporty

When Greubel Forsey first introduced the Convexe collection back in 2019, it made a statement that the brand was able to combine the sophisticated mechanical developments with a sporty, stylised design of the sort that has boomed in popularity.

The original Balancier Convexe S2 was the simplest version of this vision, lacking a tourbillon or fancy regulator but still containing a 30° inclined balance wheel. Though relatively simple by Greubel Forsey standards, the watch was still oversized. But now the Balancier Convexe S2 has come down in diameter from 43.5 mm to 41.5 mm, while its height has decreased from 15.7 mm to 14.8 mm. 

The Double Balancier Convexe, on the other hand, packed more far more horological firepower into the curved case construction, with a correspondingly higher price. But even so, it has gone down in size from 43.5 mm to 42.5 mm across the case, with the height remaining the same as before. 

The double balance wheel and the differential that connects them on the Double Balancier Convexe

Both of the new models are limited to just 88 pieces to be produced between 2023 and 2026. This means their production run will finish just in time for the opening of the newly-expanded manufacture, perhaps paving the way for new versions to celebrate the occasion. 

While the Double Balancier Convexe is only available with a black dial, there are both black and blue dials available for the Balancier Convexe S2. The blue dial offers a pop of colour in a shade that is endlessly popular for sports watches. Both of these watches come on a textured rubber strap as standard, but it is possible to have a three row titanium bracelet on request (at an eye-wateringly high price it has to be said).

Key facts and price 

Greubel Forsey Balancier Convexe S2

Diameter: 41.5 mm
Height: 12.85 mm
Material: Titanium
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: GF09xv
Functions: Hour, minutes and small seconds
Winding: Manual
Frequency: 21,600 beats per hours (3 Hz)
Power reserve: 72 hours

Strap: Textured rubber or 3-link titanium bracelet 

Limited edition: 88 pieces
Availability: Through Greubel Forsey retailers and direct from the brand
Price: US$240,000 on strap; US$283,000 on bracelet

Greubel Forsey Double Balancier Convexe

Diameter: 42.5 mm
Height: 13.75 mm
Material: Titanium
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: GF04x
Functions: Hour, minutes and small seconds
Winding: Manual
Frequency: 21,600 beats per hours (3 Hz)
Power reserve: 72 hours

Strap: Textured rubber or 3-link titanium bracelet 

Limited edition: 88 pieces
Availability: Through Greubel Forsey retailers
Price: US$346,000 on strap; US$392,000 on bracelet

For more information, visit greubelforsey.com.

One of the latest releases from Roger Dubuis, the Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph, makes the most of its openworked dial to show off a newly-developed calibre, the RD780, which combines an inclined balance wheel with an integrated chronograph.

A complex movement with two patents pending, the RD780 is notably elaborate with unusual features like a digital minute counter and twin barrels. And technically-minded enthusiasts will also note the RD780 boasts diamond-coated silicon escapement parts, which are both wear- and magnetism-resistant.

Initial thoughts

Roger Dubuis’ current chronographs distinguish themselves through bold design and flashy technical features. While the style is outlandish, it is refreshing to see this unique approach to a chronograph design, particularly since the technical features are novel and interesting, such as the inclined balance wheel and column wheel, visible through the openworked dial.

But the Excalibur chronograph’s technical merits are perhaps overshadowed by the design, which is excessive in a hyper-mechanical style. The chronograph’s dial is busy, even for an openworked dial. It is not easy to read, even when compared to what is being offered by the likes of Richard Mille, which is perhaps the closest comparison to the Excalibur chronograph.

The Excalibur chronograph is priced at US$101,500, making it more affordable than the equivalent from Richard Mille, the RM 72-01. In fact, the Excalibur is half as expensive as the Richard Mille. But the RD780 in the Excalibur is arguably more sophisticated, particularly with its inclined balance wheel, digital counter, and unusual chronograph construction that has the levers on the back but the column wheel visible on the dial. In short, while the Excalibur chronograph isn’t for everyone in terms of design, the movement is undeniably interesting and certainly lives up to the price tag.

An integrated chronograph

The Flyback Chronograph represents the latest addition to the Excalibur Spider collection, which started with the Double Tourbillon model in 2015 and is characterised by skeletonised carbon composite cases that are a nod to lightweight sports cars. Like other models in the line-up, the chronograph retains the openworked styling on both the case and triple lugs, as well as the notched ceramic bezel. The case is carbon composite and measures 45 mm in diameter, making it quite large on the wrist. 

Stylishly designed, the dial has double scales on its periphery: an inner flange for tachymeter scale, while the outer flange carries the a minute track with alternating white and red accents. And on the outermost edge beyond the minute track is a ring bearing the rhodium-plated, hex nut-shaped hour markers filled with Super-Luminova. The white gold hour and minute hands are likewise openworked, filled with Super-Luminova at the tips and outlined in red. 

At its heart lies the new RD780, an in-house movement. Besides a flyback chronograph, the RD780 features both a column-wheel and vertical clutch, while having a power reserve of 72 hours thanks to twin barrels visible through the open-worked dial. The movement also incorporates two patent-pending innovations — one for the chronograph’s seconds hand and the other for the 120° Rotating Minute Counter (RMC).

The first patent concerns the clutch mechanism known as the Second Braking System (SBS), which improves the stability of the chronograph seconds hand and reduces any stuttering during start, stop, or reset. In the SBS, the brake is directly mounted on one of the two arms that operate together to engage or disengage the vertical clutch. When the chronograph is stopped, these two arms lift the vertical clutch to disengaging it, while the brake simultaneously prevents the seconds hand from moving.

An exploded view of the RD780

The 120° RMC enables the elapsed minutes to be read without a conventional sub-dial. The minute display features three rotating arms carrying the digits “0”, “1”, and “2” respectively. The arms rotate and progress along the outer scale bearing the second digit of the minutes.

The 120° Rotating Minute Counter (RMC)

In addition to the chronograph-related features, the RD780 also sports an inclined balance wheel. Also found in other Excalibur models, the balance wheel is inclined at 12 degrees from the horizontal. According to the brand, this set up better compensates for gravitational errors, while increasing the inertia of the balance. This approach is not unique to Roger Dubuis and has been employed by other respected names, including Greubel Forsey, which installed similar inclined balance wheels in several of its watches, indicating the concept has technical merit.

Key facts and price

Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph
Ref. RDDBEX1046

Diameter: 45 mm
Height: 16.1 mm
Material: Carbon composite and ceramic
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: RD780
Functions: Hours, minutes, date, and flyback chronograph with 120° Rotating Minute Counter (RMC)
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hours (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 72 hours

Strap: Rubber strap with folding clasp

Limited edition: No
Availability: Only at Roger Dubuis boutiques
Price: US$101,500 

For more, visit Rogerdubuis.com.