Greubel Forsey: The Tourbillon Masters
Founded in 2004 by Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey, the brand is one of the youngest members of a Swiss luxury watchmaking company. Experts of Swiss watchmaking both founders give Greubel Forsey an edge. Greubel utilizes his experience at Renaud & Papi (now Audemars Piguet Renaud & Papi) and Forsey banks on his high-end watch restoration and complication development background to create a brand dedicated to pushing the boundaries of mechanical watchmaking.
Every Greubel Forsey watch is driven by the brand's motto, "Art of Invention." The manufacturer doesn't refine the existing watchmaking techniques but rather focuses on foundational innovations. They are credited with the most famous innovation in watchmaking techniques - the Double Tourbillon 30°. It overcame the limitations of conventional tourbillons by inclining the inner tourbillon at a 30-degree angle, averaging out positional errors in multiple planes rather than just the vertical position.
Greubel Forsey Collections
With only 230-260 (approx.) watches produced across all collections, the exclusivity of Greubel Forsey watches makes them truly rare. The constrained output ensures that every watch receives the time and attention needed to achieve the brand's high standards.
Balancier Collection
The Balancier collection is the entry-level family feature Greubel Forsey watches without tourbillon complications. While these models have the traditional balance wheel system, the design and execution are innovative. A Balancier watch has a specially designed balance wheel system that oscillates at 3Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour) as opposed to conventional balance wheels oscillating at 4Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour). This lower frequency, when combined with the increased inertia of the larger balance wheel, results in improved chronometric stability and precision. Popular models in the collection include the Balancier Contemporain (Ref. GF11) and the Balancier S.
The Double Tourbillon 30° Collection
Testament of Greubel Forsey's foundational innovation, the Double Tourbillon 30° collection established the brand as a key player in haute horlogerie. Introduced in 2004, these watches have ingenious yet complex mechanisms. The first tourbillon cage is inclined at a 30-degree angle and rotates once every minute, while the second tourbillon cage completes one rotation every four minutes, creating a complex arrangement that improves the chronometric performance relative to gravity in every position. Some of the most renowned models include the Double Tourbillon 30° Vision (Ref. GF02) and the Double Tourbillon 30° Technique (Ref. GF04).
The Quadruple Tourbillon Collection
Further extending their technical achievement, Greubel Forsey introduced the Quadruple Tourbillon, taking the concept of the multi-axis tourbillon to its logical extreme. A Quadruple Tourbillion watch has four tourbillon regulators that function seamlessly in sync to achieve unprecedented chronometric performance. These watches are truly innovative, with two double tourbillon 30° systems. Unsurprisingly, these Greubel Forsey watches are some of the most expensive luxury watches on the market with their retail value reaching as high as $8,50,000. The Quadruple Tourbillon Black (Ref. GF03), with its substantial dimension of 43.5mm in diameter and 16.11mm in height, is one of the most popular references in the collection.
GMT Collection
The GMT collection is the one where Greubel Forsey plays with the world time complication. Introduced in 2011, these watches touch new levels of mechanical artistry and technical sophistication, featuring the brand's signature three-dimensional movement architecture through their miniature titanium globe. A Greubel Forsey GMT's miniature titanium globe rotates once every 24 hours in the counterclockwise direction copying Earth's actual rotation. A notable reference is the GMT Earth (Ref. GF05), which combines the rotating globe with a 24-hour ring that indicates the second time zone.
Handmade 1
The Handmade 1 collection introduced in 2020, is regarded as Greubel Forsey's most ambitious project to date. Pushing the boundaries of traditional handcraftsmanship, these watches use movement components that are 95% handmade using traditional methods. Rejecting modern manufacturing techniques in favor of traditional methods gives the Handmade 1 a cult status. The aesthetic of this collection highlights traditional construction methods, such as the dial featuring hand-guilloché patterns and blue steel hands and pocket watch-inspired classical movement architecture.
Greubel Forsey Watches Price Guide
As one of the most innovative luxury Swiss watchmakers of the present decade, Greubel Forsey watches are priced for their technical complexity, materials, limited production numbers, and hundreds of hours of hand-finishing. The Balancier collection that offers entry into the brand's catalog carries a price tag of around $195,000 for time-only models in precious metals. The mid-range Greubel Forsey price list includes single tourbillon models and GMT collection, typically ranging from $320,000 to $500,000. On the higher side, the most complicated pieces, like the Greubel Forsey Handmade 1 featuring multiple tourbillons, artistic elements, or extreme handcraftsmanship, cost upwards of $1.3 million.
Greubel Forsey Price List - Popular References
|
Reference |
Collection |
Description |
Approximate Price Range |
|
GF02 |
Double Tourbillon 30° |
Double Tourbillon 30° Vision in White Gold |
$320,000 - $375,000 |
|
GF04 |
Double Tourbillon 30° |
Double Tourbillon 30° Technique in Red Gold |
$465,000 - $520,000 |
|
GF03 |
Quadruple Tourbillon |
Quadruple Tourbillon Black in White Gold |
$700,000 - $765,000 |
|
GF05 |
GMT |
GMT Earth in Platinum |
$450,000 - $520,000 |
|
GF11 |
Balancier |
Balancier Contemporain in White Gold |
$195,000 - $225,000 |
|
GF15 |
Art Piece |
Art Piece 2 Edition 2 in White Gold |
$600,000 - $700,000 |
|
GF18 |
Handmade 1 |
Handmade 1 in White Gold |
$1,300,000 - $1,500,000 |
|
GF06 |
Tourbillon 24 Secondes |
Tourbillon 24 Secondes Vision in Platinum |
$325,000 - $380,000 |
|
GF09 |
Signature 1 |
Signature 1 in Rose Gold |
$170,000 - $210,000 |
Master Luxury Collection
Master Luxury has a curated selection of Greubel Forsey watches for sale. Our experts have acquired some of the most extraordinary timepieces from the brand. If there's a preowned Greubel Forsey up for sale, you will most probably find it listed here. Our inventory includes most models ranging from the revolutionary Double Tourbillon 30° to the groundbreaking Handmade 1.
Every Greubel Forsey watch for sale in our collection comes with a Master Luxury guarantee of authenticity and condition assessment. Our curators understand the exceptional value and rarity of these timepieces; that's why they verify every aspect of each watch, including movement serial numbers, case hallmarks, and the distinctive finishing patterns that are unique to genuine Greubel Forsey timepieces. You can leverage our selection excellence to buy pre-owned Greubel Forsey watches with original boxes, documentation, and service history.
FAQs
How many watches does Greubel Forsey produce annually?
Greubel Forsey watches are highly exclusive, and to maintain their supply, the brand produces only 230-260 watches. However, this number is significantly higher than in pre-pandemic years when the Swiss watchmakers maintained limited production of approximately 100 watches per year across all collections.
What is the Greubel Forsey watch price range?
The starting Greubel Forsey watch price is approximately $170,000, which is much higher than most luxury brands. For instance, the entry-level Signature 1 cost around $175,000, which can extend to over $1.5 million for the most complex pieces. The most expensive watch in the collection is the Greubel Forsey Handmade 1, costing approximately $1.3 million to $1.5 million.
Is Greubel Forsey watches a good investment?
For a brand introduced in 2004, Greubel Forsey is still relatively young to have any rare pieces of vintage value. Still, many of their models demonstrate strong value retention. The Double Tourbillon 30° Vision model introduced in 2004 fetched around $140,000 in an auction. This signifies that limited edition models perform particularly well on the secondary market.
How often should a Greubel Forsey watch be serviced?
Greubel Forsey recommends servicing their timepieces every 4-5 years to preserve their value. As these watches run on exceptional complexity and proprietary mechanisms, a Greubel Forsey watch must be serviced by Greubel Forsey or their authorized service centers.
