Independents
This 2008 article by 219 offers a unique perspective on Greubel Forsey, focusing on Stephen Forsey's insights into their innovative approach to haute horlogerie. It delves into the brand's philosophy of pushing mechanical boundaries and achieving unparalleled finishing, providing a historical snapshot of their early impact on the watchmaking world.
A progression of innovation:
Prototype movements with the quadruple tourbillon differential. 
Two different forms of the 30 degree double tourbillon.
There is a strange alchemy that mechanical innovators practice, that takes ordinary and precious metals, combined in various forms, and produce a machine whose performance excels. In a few short years, Greubel Forsey have stepped up to become unsurpassed in watches that are not only finished second to none, but also perform second to none. The inventiveness, the engineering, the skill and the art of watchmaking are all neatly melded together in unique pieces for the watch world.
Stephen Forsey outside the Manufacture that has his and partner's (Robert Greubel) names on the front door
Just recently, I was lucky to spend a day talking with Stephen Forsey and being shown around Greubel Forsey. It is difficult to believe that the firm is less than 10 years old, started with 2 watchmakers (obviously!), had a staff of 8 by 2004, and at the current count has 40 employees.
Their aim: to create innovative, superbly finished watches. There is little doubt that they have achieved what they set out to do. In talking with Stephen Forsey I was able to learn more about the Greubel Forsey philosophy of watchmaking from a horological inventors' viewpoint. Mechanics, a prestige marque, and a respect for the past are in Stephen Forsey's blood.
It struck me as strange how Bentley's and superlative watchmaking are common denominators in realizing such innovative watches. While one is the inspiration for the other, there has to be, in any innovative endeavour, a point where progress is made on the past.
Stephen's grandfather worked for 'W.O' Bentley, the man and the marque in the late 1920's. About the time when racing at LeMans was at the forefront of thinking behind the cars design; when modifications were made to increase speed and endurance. The time of the famous 'blower Bentleys', where a supercharger was coupled to the crank shaft at the front of the engine, and where the cars were driven by the 'Bentley Boys'. Stephen's dad owns, has competed and rebuilt the cars from that era. And Stephen learned his first mechanics on what Ettore Bugatti called the 'world's fastest lorries' from that bygone era.
George Daniels racing in the Birkin 'blower' Bentley up the hill at Goodwood. Photo from Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Photo from ThePuristS.com - Stephen Forsey standing beside a Bentley from the 1920's.
However, Stephen's professional interests led him elsewhere. In the small, minute world of mechanics. Stephen's dad knew another Bentley enthusiast who was oft quoted on Bentley's and watchmaking being similar, only that the hammer size differs.
The quote brings a wry smile, and Stephen explains: when dealing with innovation on such a micro scale, it is not quite that simple! Influences are there, and parallels can be drawn, but innovation and inventing require a re-examination of the mechanics, the tolerances and forces involved, at every pinion, pivot, and gear wheel. There are limits on what can be achieved; there is a one hundredth of a millimetre's play on a pivot, and when dealing with such micro-engineering scale, it is not a simple matter of taking something that exists and making it smaller, or move faster.
Unlike the blower Bentley of the past, where a supercharger was essentially bolted onto the front of the engine, Greubel Forsey invent from a clean sheet: a new movement, a new engine.
On gearing speed into accuracy
The engineering required to invent a 24-second inclined tourbillon (Greubel Forsey's 3rd Invention) is not at first obvious. I quipped that the 'capsule of air' at the edge of the case reminded me of the racing cars from the 1920's and 30's.
An innovation to a racing car at that time would often be included by altering the outside body of the car in some manner; an attachment on the bonnet or the end of the car. Once again, the same wry smile appears, a shake of the head, no, that is not why the capsule is there on the side of the watch. Greubel Forsey's concern at the first instance was to retain the 43.5 millimetre diameter for the case.
There were also important considerations of creating 'theatre' in the Greubel Forsey design that draws the eye to the mechanism itself. In the most extreme case, the Invention Piece No 1 is the escapement and mechanism; the dials for telling the time are reduced to a minor role.
In the 24-second inclined tourbillon, balancing the 'capsule of air' at the side of the case requires precision; trial and error in experimenting with the dimensions of the 'capsule' so that the aesthetics of the case remain. An additional millimetre or two, either way, the effect is either lost or accentuated too far. The necessity of the additional dimensions on the side were the result of the movement requiring the extra space and the need to give the high speed tourbillon some 'air' under the bridge and around the cage. It 'showcases' the high speed and unusual tourbillon cages.
So why 24 seconds, and not 23 or 25? Or perhaps if a multiple of 60 is required, why not a 20 second tourbillon? Stephen explained that a multiple is useful: it allows converting the rotation of the tourbillon into a 60 second cycle, but ultimately, the reason Greubel Forsey did not push the speed of rotation for the tourbillon any lower is the synthesis of the different prototype EWT phases, requirements of construction combined with tolerances and frictional effects of high speed rotation where the 24 seconds rotation assures the best results.
A pattern of innovation: the first form of the 24 second inclined tourbillon (top and on the left in the photo below), and the final form that was tested in working case .
That is not to say that Greubel Forsey did not try. Each Greubel Forsey EWT invention starts off life as an experimental piece. Often in a simple form, the basic watch is manufactured in a dedicated workshop for prototypes, and then tests are started.
The 24-second inclined tourbillon started out with a conventional cage (with 3 arms at equal angles). However, such a configuration could not maintain the speed and accuracy required for it to pass the EWT (Experimental Watch Technology) procedure. New forms of the cage were experimented, where the balance of the cage had to also be combined with considerations on weight (so as to avoid higher degrees of friction).
Arriving at the design took months of experimenting through various innovative forms of movements. Finally, the optimal design was settled upon as an asymmetric cage where the two prongs together faced a single at 180 degrees. The cage was also now made out of titanium.
However, while the cage metal was titanium, Greubel Forsey still had their requirements that the cage be polished and finished as with all other parts in the watch. In total, the 88 components for the 24-second inclined tourbillon weigh only 0.39 grams; approximately a third of the weight of the 128 components in the 30 degree double tourbillon.
Detail of 24-second inclined tourbillon: asymmetric design of the cage can be seen.
What matters for the 24-second inclined tourbillon to operate on the scale it does is not down to the power reserve, transferring the necessary power to drive a tourbillon at such an accelerated rate. What matters is the gear change that can transfer the power efficiently, but also allows the increased accuracy from the faster tourbillon cage to drive the hands that tell the time.
The movement was a lesson in overcoming mechanical constraints; as with improving the performance of a car engine, you want to gain more (in terms of accuracy in time keeping) than you lose (in terms of frictional forces between moving parts).
Overall, the 24-second inclined tourbillon incline is a marvel of mechanic engineering. The increased speed of the tourbillon is mesmerizing as it flies around in its own capsule of air at the bottom left-hand side of the case.
Glimpses of the superfast 24 second inclined tourbillon in its 'capsule'.
On finish and performance
Apart from the innovative mechanics, Greubel Forsey watches also have a superlative finish. I looked at a photo on the wall of the first watch Greubel Forsey produced: the 30 degree double axis. The picture of the watch showed the back. I remarked that the watch looked almost 'Daniel-esque' in its appearance and approach.
Bridge and cage design of the 30 degree double tourbillon – a 'Daniel-esque' quality.
The same type of frosted finish, a similar design of bridge (for the tourbillon), and the same type of design for the barrels; it struck me that I could be looking at a form that Daniels could have created – or perhaps Breguet?
Stephen was quick to dismiss the similarity as something that Greubel Forsey was looking to do. There is no doubt there are similarities, but as with any other watchmaker, you learn from the past, you take the state of the art as it is and take it further; you innovate and invent and the starting point is what you know.
Stephen also pointed out that while he has an English background, and Robert Greubel is French, there is no small surprise that the Greubel Forsey watches finish resembles that of the founding watchmakers background. Likewise, George Daniels (an authority on Breguet) was influenced by Breguet, and as such Greubel Forsey is influenced by the history of watchmaking.
Superlative finish of the Greubel Forsey watches. Attention to detail is everything.
The finish and detail is paramount in the Greubel Forsey watch. The finish is subtle and sophisticated from the back of the watch all the way through to the dial and hands. The gold frosting finish, typical of the 18th and 19th century English and French watchmaking style, is actually more complicated than the Geneva stripes. In a sense, the frosting finish is a double finished piece. Before the frosting is applied to the plates, the plates are finished. After the frosting, all secondary polishing is then undertaken again to give the highly polished and beveled edges.
The finish has a mirrored sheen. All jewels are fitted by hand, all bridges, gears, tourbillon cages and escapements are polished by hand. Each movement and watch is precisely assembled by the watchmakers at Greubel Forsey. Attention to detail is everything in the Greubel Forsey watch. Even for the apparently most simple of components; below, the bridge for the 30 degree double tourbillon.
On the left, the unfinished item; on the right the highly polished finished bridge. The difference between the two: about 8 person-hours.
Difference between the unfinished (left) and finished (right) bridge after 8 hours of intensive work.
While not every component requires the same time to finish, one way to gauge the time required to manufacture a Greubel Forsey watch would be to imagine multiplying out across the 301 parts that comprise the entire movement contained in the GF 30 degree double tourbillon watch (128 of which are contained in the tourbillon alone), and you have some idea of the magnitude of hours required to manufacture, finish, and construct the 'landmark" (1st Invention) Greubel Forsey tourbillon.
A detailed shot of the 30 degree double tourbillon.
It comes as no surprise that the production numbers reflect the finish, detail, and complicated manufacturing process. Generally, each month, Greubel Forsey are able to complete two or three 24-second inclined tourbillons, one or two double 30° tourbillons, and one unique edition timepiece. Perfection takes time!
Two 'unique' editions of the 30 degree double tourbillon:
(Left)'Secret' with the double tourbillon hidden from view
(Right) Invention Piece No 1 - double tourbillon is the main focus of the watch
While the finish is 'nice' to look at, there is a more important purpose. Finish helps performance. Where parts move against each other and only a thin film of oil prevents metal grinding against metal, the smoother the surface, the greater coverage for the viscosity of oil, and the greater longevity for both the performance of the watch and reduced wear and tear on the mechanism itself.
On inventing the future
Greubel Forsey remains a mix of old world and new. On the one hand, computer imaging microscopes are employed to test the contours and finish on the plates (which were finished by hand), and on the other hours and hours of finishing and constructing the movement are all accomplished by watchmakers. Likewise, while the very latest CNC machines cut the plates and various parts for the Greubel Forsey watches, right alongside are lathe machines of yesteryear, used to produce parts for various experimental forms of movements that are being constructed into working form.
As the picture shows, Greubel Forsey employ the latest computer imaging and modeling software to initially test their designs. However, Stephen points out, ultimately, prototype movements have to be made, watches built, and testing carried out. The number of potential points within a mechanism where the load or friction are under or over-estimated, it is simply not possible to rely solely on simulated computer models.
From computer simulation model to Stephen Forsey's own working prototype: the spherical differential at the heart of the Quadruple Tourbillon a Differentiel.
Much of the recent work has been centered on the Quadruple Tourbillon a Differentiel (Greubel Forsey's 4th Invention). Each 30 degree double tourbillon acts independently of the other. Given that the two regulating escapements acting independently, the spherical differential acts like the differential on the rear wheel axis for a car.
The differential relays power and averages it across the two sets of forces. For example, if one tourbillon is running at +3 seconds, and the other is running at -3 seconds, the differential would average them out at 0.
It is hard not to be impressed by Greubel Forsey. I appreciate their approach, their philosophy, their belief in solving problems by innovation. As someone in the research game myself, it is not easy or necessarily appreciated. Compromise is not a word found in the personal 'Webster's Dictionary' that is 'Greubel Forsey'. Their watches are both influenced by the past, the finish, the mechanics, the aesthetics of movement design, the development of the escapement, but with a definite view to the future. The future, as Stephen Forsey explains entails researching, inventing, and testing before you can either accept or dismiss an argument.
Some watchmakers have dismissed the tourbillon as redundant in the modern wrist watch escapement. However, Greubel Forsey feel they have made a point; it is not right to dismiss something until you have tested what the possibilities are. Just recently, at the BHI (British Horological Institute) 150 Year anniversary there was some acknowledgement of Greubel Forsey's approach; George Daniels said he thought that Greubel Forsey had helped to develop the tourbillon for use in the modern wrist watch.
With details of the 5th Invention now released: the 'Differential d' Egalite' that concentrates on supplying even power from the main spring to the tourbillon(s), Greubel Forsey have started to apply their innovative talents to inventing new mechanisms to improve the performance of the gear train. The future promises to be an exciting time for horology with Greubel Forsey.
Andrew H
Copyright Andrew Hildreth, 2008. All rights reserved.
This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2008-09-07 08:46:26
I love the Invention Piece No. 1; the look and feel of the watch, while of the highest quality, is a bit unorthodox, especially with the mass of text on the movement plates, but I love it. Which is your favourite? Great photos to by the way. - SJX
Prototype for sure! The real thing Stephen Forsey in Singapore This message has been edited by MTF on 2008-08-29 21:55:14
Although I am not usually drawn to watches that blast their technical prowess on the dial, that Invention Piece Nr.1 is stunning! Don
Thank you also Andrew for a little more background on Stephen Forsey. This message has been edited by c.torres on 2008-08-30 04:32:07
I cannot afford the price tag. I would actually pay and buy it if I had the cash. Man....!!!!! This message has been edited by bernard cheong on 2008-08-30 17:27:44
Comparing those wonderful movements with WO era Bentleys? WO worked on Steam Locomotion....Walter H did his racecars.... They were trucks (Ettore was right! Then again, his engines were amusingly dire) with engineering principles deeply rooted in the 18x safety factors boilers used.
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