Greubel Forsey Invention Piece No. 3 Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed)
May 9th 2009 at 12:01PM

No doubt that Greubel Forsey watches are technically impressive.They are always able to shove just one more tourbillon into each new movement. At first, the look of their mechanical wonders was impressive and seemingly important - but now my fascination with the brand is beginning to dwindle. Why? Mainly because each new watch reminds me too much of the old watch. The "Invention" is lost. I've seen the inclined tourbllon bulging out of the side of the case, I've seen the familiar dials, I've seen the "Inventiveness" beaten to sheer "derivativeness."

That isn't to say the watches are not impressive, but Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey need to spruce it up a bit. How about hiring a good designer that can frame your complications really well? You guys obviously know what you are doing in the mechanical department, but your watches end up look incomplete. They look like prototypes to me.

Above you'll see their newest watch, the Invention Piece No. 3. The difference here is the use of a 24 hour dial. Meaning, instead of being a 12 hour dial, it shows all 24 hours. Nice, unless you live in America and are not in the military. You also get a small subsidiary seconds dial, and a power reserve indicator. The emphasis is on the tourbillon of course, which is inclined and spins once each 24 seconds. The movement is the manually wound GF 01n, and the 43mm wide gold watch is part of a limited edition of just 33 pieces. Nice, but just not exciting any longer for me.

Ariel Adams publishes the popular watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 3, greubel forsey, GreubelForsey, invention, no., number, piece, three, watch

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jason May 9th 2009 5:32PM

If you had actually done your research (fact checking), like a true professional, then you might have realized that the Invention Piece you are referring to is not the only style of watch introduced by GF. Had you actually contacted GF, or met with them in Basel, then you might have discovered their crown jewel - the "Double Tourbillon Technique".

Here are a few examples for your reference:

http://professionalwatches.com/2009/04/baselworld_2009-_greubel_forse.html

http://www.worldtempus.com/en/news/watch-news/detail/article/1238251924-greubel-foresey-double-tourbillon-technique-1/

It does not look like their past pieces does it? Maybe you can make note of this on your, and I quote "Expert Watch Review Site", ablogtoread. :)

Ariel Adams May 9th 2009 5:39PM

Jason,
You sound pretty irked by this. This is my opinion and I did not suggest that every singe Greubel Forsey watch looks exactly the same. It is the same situation with F.P. Journe, the watches are starting to look (for the most part) like derivatives of one another - but there are exceptions. You are getting quite upset about a little opinion that does not err of facts - the people who buy the watches are the ones who will decide if they like the style. I am commenting on their design ingenuity. Further you are one to comment on being a watch expert and professional - if you wish to prove yourself in this regard, you might consider actually writing on your site versus merely posting pictures. Thanks buddy.

Jason May 9th 2009 10:01PM

No I never said I was an expert, nor does my site say so anywhere. Just a fan of watches.

I do appreciate your critique of my site. Maybe you will appreciate mine as well?

I see it very often. New guy starts a watch site. Says he is an expert. Bases expertise on enthusiasm, not experience. Yes it does irk me, but not much further than this comment.

Best Regards