technique

Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon Technique Platinum Watch Hands-On

Probably the last of the lovely Double Tourbillon Technique watches from Greubel Forsey, here is the 2011 version done in platinum, with some variations on the dial. The tones are all lighter now and the watch is even heavier in platinum. The case is 47.50mm wide so that means a lot of platinum. This is super luxury watch is limited in production and will carry a half million dollar plus price tag.

I first discussed the Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon Technique watch here (where I go into more technical detail about the in-house made GF02s manually would movement). In short, it has the time, power reserve indicator, subsidiary seconds, and double tourbillon escapement. All in a compelling and airy dial that is a view into the hand-made and decorated mechanism. For the platinum model much of the movement is done in a nickel-palladium finish. There are polished, brushed, and frosted areas.

The watch is really a beautiful thing that I attempted to capture in the images. Unlike the rose gold version for example, Greubel Forsey really wanted to lighten up the open-movement of the watch to show off their brilliant level of finishing and polishing. They have done three versions of the Double Tourbillon Technique now, and this might be the last one. You really can't go up higher than platinum. Perhaps they will do a "heritage" version in a few years - as they have done with other models. Having said that, if this is the last watch you were to ever buy, you'd realize you've hit close to the top.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon Technique Platinum Watch

Tags: 2011, double tourbillon, greubel forsey, platinum, technique, watch, watches

Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon Technique Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Greubel Forsey double tourbillon technique watch

I've not always been kind to Greubel Forsey watches. I previously stated that some of their "new" "Invention" watches looked a bit too derivative. Well Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey have redeemed themselves with their latest creation, the Double Tourbillon Technique watch. An odd name, but the design feels just right for what the brand is all about.

The watch emphasizes the mechanical inventiveness and triumph of the movement and its complications. The movement has been designed to look and function well being the centerpiece of the timepiece. The watch has no dial, it is simply the movement that you see with a watch dial included and the hour markers placed on a sapphire ring around the dial inside of the face. The Greubel Forsey manually wound Calibre GF 02s also features a subsidiary seconds dial and 120 hour power reserve indicator. The heart of the movement is the double tourbillon - which is one tourbillon literally placed inside of another. The inner tourbillon rotates each minute, while the outer tourbillon rotates each four minutes.

385 parts make up the hand built, decorated, and assembled movement. Looking at the watch in operation is likely a satisfying ballet of mechanical intrigue. I would find it hard to remember to check the time when looking at the watch. The Double Tourbillon Technique watch is available in red or white gold, and in platinum. The case is 47.5mm wide, while the movement itself is about 38mm wide. Overall the watch is phenomenal (with a price to match that I have a feeling is about $500,000), and everything that I think Greubel Forsey timepieces should aspire to be - virtually total focus on the mechanics and presentation of a beautiful movement. The details of the watch are written on the side near the crown as the rear of the watch is one large sapphire crystal viewing window.

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

Tags: 2009, double tourbillon, DoubleTourbillon, greubel forsey, GreubelForsey, technique, watch