Independents

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...  

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...  

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 ...  

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...  

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...  

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...  

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... 

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 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... 

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... 

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... 

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

...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... 

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

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 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... 

Not impressive, more like under 5s/y. BTW do high scores at these competitions translate to better chronometric behavior on the wrist?

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... 

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...  

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... 

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... 

many thanks. Completely agree. Andrew H

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...  

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... 

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 ...  

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

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...  

has slowly been unravelled! Andrew H

.. 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

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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.

which watch. The manufacturer also undertakes the timing and the work to bring the watch up to competition specification. Thanks for reading. Andrew H

Thanks for the post. The establishment of the EWT was very smart. I love this kind of thinking by a company.

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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...