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Greubel Forsey Watches - The Double Tourbillon 30

With Greubel Forsey the art of watch making has now crossed the borders of Switzerland. Now talents from various other nations are taking over the ultimate destinations of this famous art of Switzerland. The signs appeared when the young talents Robert Greuebel and Stephen Forsey introduced their first brand, Opus 6 created in just 6 months for Harry Winston. This remarkable timepiece has been observed as one of the most interesting timepieces at BaselWorld 2006.

Robert Greuebel born in 1960, in France, where his father, a watch-maker introduced him to the mystifying world of timepieces technology in his early life. Robert completed his study of watch making at Morteau and specialized in complicated timekeeping. He joined IWC later as prototype maker, and then Renaud & Papi, which now belongs to Audemars Piguet. He soon became Associate Director here.

Wheras Stephen Forsey was born in 1967 in St-Albans, a city near London, which is famous for marine chronometers. He was also introduced to the world of mechanics in his young age by his father, who was a fan of aviation. Forsey completed his studies in watch-making at the Hackney Technical ……. in London. Forsey spent some time into the restoration of famous English brand, Asprey. Followed by some time spent at Wostep, along with he also completed a course in complicated mechanical timekeeping. He also got associated with the teams of Renaud & Papi, Grand sonneries, minute repeaters, caillons, tourbillons and perpetual calanders all passed through the hands of Forsey.

Both friends decided to join hands in 1999. Then, in the year 2006, they started with CompliTime SA in La Chaux-de-Fonds, serving some of the biggest brands of Swiss watch industry in the field of complicated movements. Simultaneously, they worked to launch their own brand of the watch which they brought out in the year 2004 with the brand name Greuebel Forsey. Their first invention was exhibited at the Baselworld under the model name, Double Tourbillon 30°.

The Double Tourbillon 30° was the world’s first wristwatch inside a 15 mm diameter of carriage which rotated at 4 minutes. There was a smaller second carriage supporting escapement and balance spring, which inclined at 30° to the first one which had the rotation of one minute. The both carriages were made with 128 different elements weighing 1.17 grams. The innovative idea of 30° was chosen to keep the position always balanced. Therefore, the angle supported the adjustment for a larger moment of inertia. Moreover, the deviation of classic tourbillon measured at +/- 7 seconds whereas that of Greuebel Forsey tourbillon measured at +/- 3 seconds.

Such performance was made possible due to EWT as named by duo, stands for Experimental Watch Technology. This is a tool combining basic research, development and adjustment. EWT is certainly a ‘funnel’ which passes through three stages; invention or conception, development or construction, homologation or validation.

At present, there are three projects under the pipeline. The Double Tourbillon 30° is in the final stage of production, the Differential Spherical Quadruple Tourbillon is in the homologation stage, and is expected for a launch in 2008. And the 24 Seconds Inclined Tourbillon is in the development and construction stage. The duo has conquered the art of watch making and exhibit an unyielding passion to create milestones in recent future. For more information visit Greubel Forsey.