Greubel Forsey 24 Seconds Tourbillon Review

AW shares his profound appreciation for Greubel Forsey's innovative approach to the tourbillon complication. His post highlights how Greubel Forsey's dedication to improving tourbillon functionality in wristwatches, rather than merely aesthetics, restored his faith in this often-misunderstood complication.

I watched Greubel Forsey’s 24 Seconds Tourbillon whirl around for one rotation of course…

One of the main reasons as to why my faith in the tourbillon was restored was because of the work brought forth by Greubel Forsey. During a time when we are inundated by an endless array of tourbillons, not only in physical watches but also countless articles in magazines and publications, there seems to have been a disillusionment about the practical functionality of tourbillons in wristwatches The fascination about a tourbillon has gone from a feeling of awe about its perceived functionality to the present fact that it is merely a beautiful complication which adds to the aesthetics of a watch.

How many wristwatches have we seen with the same description about the tourbillon? Mainly, a one minute flying tourbillon. Watch lovers nowadays are definitely more discerning and can actually deduce whether a watch/brand with a tourbillon deserves the accolade which it claims…and whether it is worth the price which it is priced at. I have seen countless brands/watches pricing themselves out of the market just because they have put in a tourbillon and with that, added a significant and unjustified price hike to that particular piece.

After meeting Stephen and Nicole in 2006, I was completely bowled over and enamoured by their passion and work in bringing the tourbillon in a direction which was completely different from the rest of the industry. Mainly, to improve its functionality in a wristwatch and at the same time bringing the beauty of the tourbillon to the fore.

One of the main things which made me want to follow the work of Greubel Forsey was the fact that each of their inventions beginning from their Double Tourbillon to the Quadruple and finally to their 24 Seconds was an attempt to improve the functionality of the tourbillon in a wristwatch (improving the accuracy) with each invention. Only after perfecting each invention, did they attempt to improve the aesthetics of each invention as shown through their Double Tourbillon Secret and Invention Piece No.1

Back to this magnificent piece. The 24 Seconds would never match the aesthetical beauty of their Invention Piece No.1, but the technical beauty of it, is at the same level In my opinion, their attempt in making this into a classical looking watch, even with the inclusion of a 24 Second Tourbillon, aims to make the emphasis on this piece the tourbillon and nothing else.

Regretfully, I have to say that they have failed somewhat in this attempt. The attention paid to other aspects of this watch does take away some gloss from the tourbillon. The shape of the watch for one, is extremely eye catching. The protruding section at 7 o’clock draws one’s attention to the watch instantly. The finishing on the watch and the legibility of its markings is second to none. The colour combination on this dial makes the numbers and wordings seem to “jump out” at you

I said it before and I will say it again. The level of finishing is second to none  

If Greubel Forsey were to produce a classical and simple watch in the future (imagine the 24 Seconds without the tourbillon), I would definitely have a hard time choosing between this watch and the Richard Lange

Anyway, back to the main attraction of this watch, it’s 24 seconds tourbillon, Greubel Forsey has spared no expense at giving the best views of their masterpiece. Because not only do you get a top view but you get a side view as well! And just to prove that their tourbillon really does rotate a full revolution every 24 seconds (for the skeptics out there I guess), they even placed a 24 seconds counter around the tourbillon.

Since this tourbillon whirls around 2.5 faster than a normal 1 minute tourbillons, watching this tourbillon dance around is hynoptising…to say the least.

If I have one complaint, I guess it would be that the glass for this piece is not as anti-reflective as their Invention Piece No.1, although it is comparable to its Double Tourbillon. (Photo comparison below) Well, I guess I have been a little bit spoilt by their attention to perfection  

Other than that…all I can say is…GREUBEL FORSEY ROCKS!!!