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Getting up to pace!
For the 2011 Chronometry Competition, and with some time to prepare, Greubel Forsey went about being rigorous in their preparation, understand the tests, and adjust a watch accordingly. As a precursor, and as a way to answer critics who had previously questioned their methods, the EWT tests and weighting were published (http://www.concourschronometrie.org/2013/FR/download/Reglement-EN.pdf) and Greubel Forsey went about understanding how the various elements for the MIH testing would affect the watch. This time, the watch selected from the Greubel Forsey line up was the Double Tourbillon a Technique. It was selected with a couple of criteria in mind. First, the 30-degree double tourbillon had been Greubel Forsey’s first invention, and as such they understood the dynamics and engineering of this escapement better than any other. Second, the power reserve for the Double Tourbillon Technique was 120 hours (although it is probably longer) given that there are four winding barrels linked in series. As the timing tests are only 24 hours before each successive winding of the watch, the rate of expansion in the main springs would be monotonic (consistent) and uniform across the 24 hour period. (This is one of the differences between the EWT and the MIH tests: the EWT tests accuracy across the complete unwinding of the power reserve and not the shorter 24 hour duration).
The whole process for the 2011 competition started with reserving one of two different Double Tourbillon Technique watches from the regular production. Once again, a considerable decision in that it represented a significant percentage of annual production. Competition preparation was a long and labour intensive process. The watch was adjusted, then tested, and results analysed; a new adjustment, and so on, and so on. Testing was undertaken in the newly assembled ‘Labo’ (with EWT equipment) and the adjusting and testing continued until the Greubel Forsey team felt the watch was ready for competition.
Racing the heavens! The story of Greubel Forsey’s win at the 2011 Chronometry Competition
Despite winning at the Prix Gaïa for “Entrepreneurship” in 2009 and the Aiguille d’Or for best overall watch at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in 2010, winning at the newly established Chronometry Competition () meant more to Robert and Stephen tha...
Racing the heavens over time!
Observatory competitions, before the quartz crisis had been the endurance car-racing equivalent for the watch industry. An often drawn analogy with the automotive world would be to think of the Observatory tests as being akin to the Le Mans 24 Hours. Only...
A false start!
Despite being a late entrant into the 2009 Chronometry Competition, the Greubel Forsey Quadruple Tourbillon still acquitted itself with honours. Where as some entrants had spent time and resources preparing watches for the competition, the Greubel Forsey ...
Getting up to pace!
For the 2011 Chronometry Competition, and with some time to prepare, Greubel Forsey went about being rigorous in their preparation, understand the tests, and adjust a watch accordingly. As a precursor, and as a way to answer critics who had previously que...
A race strategy.
Greubel Forsey were putting their watches where their claims were! That they could show that the Double Tourbillon 30 degree (as described: one cage rotating at a four minute cycle; one cage rotating at a one-minute cycle; and the escapement inclined at 3...
Past and future winners?
Given all the research that Greubel Forsey undertook on Observatory timing competitions from the past, in understanding the factors that were important to escapement timing adjusters, would the Double Tourbillon Technique beat all comers if it was possibl...
Who were the others - and how did they finish?
From a previous competition I know that the entries were kept secret, by agreement, for a certain period of time, but were free to reveal their own name and test results. before then. They were less than a dozen or so brands and independents, I believe. N...
You are correct - the results are kept secret with the option
for each individual firm to reveal their own results if they wish. Hence, I do not know the others involved and I do not know the test scores. I only know that GF came top with the score of 915. It should be interesting this time around. Good to see the l...
I have a lot of interest for these Chronometry Contests.
I think it is an excellent idea to organize them, like it was the case in the past. Indeed, when the last one was organized? in the mid Fifties? The new Chronometry Contests brought another answer than yours, Andrew, about the superiority of multi axis to...
I was at the Manufacture recently, and one of the
more senior watchmakers told me about the 2009 competition. Let me just say that the multi-axis tourbillon is rated as the more accurate and there are reasons! I would love to see more publicity given to these competitions. They are the very nature of wat...
I am totally in favor of the return of chronometry contests.
But where I differ a bit from your point is that, from what I saw, the most important detail is the setting ( reglage / mise au point, in french ) of the movement. A multi axis tourbillon, if you take the JLC one, was second to a better set Master Tourbil...
Trust me - have heard from a very high source
in JLC that the Gyro2, correctly set, is more accurate watch. Although in competition, the single axis Master tourbillon won. But true - would be great to see a more extensive discussion and number of entrants in the competition. Cheers! Andrew H
Very impressive watches...
...and reporting from you, Andrew. While their watches have not always been to my taste from a design standpoint, I have always been highly impressed by the thought processes and innovation that Greubel Forsey put forth in their timepieces. I wish them su...
Thanks Daos. I have to confess that not all
designs are to my taste either, but the chronometric performance, finishing, and ethos of the company put GF at the very highest level of watchmaking. For my tastes the 24 second is THE GF watch, but that's my choice! Thanks Andrew H
My favorite watch from GF.
And apparently it's not only got great looks, but great performance as well. Beauty more than skin deep. Really pleased to hear this important news. I will say, I have worn some extremely accurate watches. The Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Chronometer is...
The detail that caught my attention was not just . . .
. . . the tight ∆ between the derived high and low rates, but that those rates are measured over the span of the power reserve of the movement. Since the barrels are connected in series, there must be a point in the transition between one barrel and anoth...
very interesting thread. for me 100s/y for a quartz watch is..
Not impressive, more like under 5s/y. BTW do high scores at these competitions translate to better chronometric behavior on the wrist?
Thanks. The whole idea of the EWT was to ensure
that the chronometric improvement would be realisable on an everyday watch. Using standard components, finished to the highest degree, and through innovation and invention, the performance of the "everyday" watch would be improved. Hardly everyday watches...
Thanks a lot Andrew for this comprehensive story!
It is a very important win. After all, we hear very often that Tourbillons and complex systems are not really more efficient in terms of accuracy than let's say low frequency movements with large balances... Greubel Forsey gives here a proof that their ap...
In some senses I agree. It would be a good idea
to have a EWT Bulletin de Marche with the watches. However, all GF watches leave La Chaux de Fonds with same degree of testing and timekeeping ability because of the philosophy behind GF: that the innovations are practicable and repeatable. But there is s...
Chronometry competition
Hi Andrew, Thank you for sharing with us your insights about Greubel Forsey's participation to the the first two modern days Chronometry competitions. My first point would be to congratulate Greubel Forsey for their second attempt win, and all other parti...
Would not argue with, nor alter, a single word of your response Jerome...
many thanks. Completely agree. Andrew H
The analogy between Greubel Forsey and LeMans Racing
Andrew: Thanks for the most comprehensive report on-line about this Greubel Forsey Chronometry Competition Story. I was a sceptical person. My profession as a medical researcher demands it. With Greubel Forsey, I have come to realise that they put their r...
Yes, there are some famous names that did not hold
up under competitive conditions! :) I have seen the list. By the same token, as I admire the approach and ethos of GF and JLC, I also admire both the competitive spirit and the design and aesthetics of the Chopard tourbillon watches. It speaks volumes for...
Those kind of information/report ...
is just one more good reason to spend lots of time here at PuristS and maybe that´s why it is so addictive - the forum & the watches from GF. I was not a fan from day one, but once you saw it in the metal and tried it on your wrist ... it gets really ...
Outstanding last photo! And yes, they are stunning watches,
but beyond my reach. So for me, dream machines, and that is where they will stay: out of reach and the stuff of fantasy! Andrew H
I still remember this graph from a few years ago
Graphically the work achieveed looked impressive...At least GF was never afraid to show the results of their research. It is great to see tem continue to improve and fine tune a concept to its max potential. Thanks Andrew and GF team for giving us this ba...
Thanks Mike. Yes, that is the graph that over time has
has slowly been unravelled! Andrew H
I have always liked and admired...
.. the brands that pursue utmost accuracy. And GF seems to be one of them. I would keep an eye on the brand. Thank you for the report, Andrew! Ken
Thanks Andrew !
Always wanted to ask the question. Do the manufacturers enter these competitions ? Do does the list of watches get compiled ? Thanks for the very interesting write up.
Yes, the manufacturers enter. It is up the firm to decide
which watch. The manufacturer also undertakes the timing and the work to bring the watch up to competition specification. Thanks for reading. Andrew H
Very interesting read Andrew!
Thanks for the post. The establishment of the EWT was very smart. I love this kind of thinking by a company.
Thank you for this excellent post Andrew
I congratulate Greubel Forsey for putting their reputation to the test and think that any brand claiming that they make accurate timepieces, or complications that supposedly improve accuracy, should be doing the same. One small correction: These timing co...