Perpetual calendars have traditionally required careful handling due to their complexity. Greubel Forsey has completely overturned this conventional wisdom. Here we have a "practical complicated watch" that is the fruit of the overwhelming power of watchmaking.
Edited & Text by Takahiro Ohno (Office Peropaw)
[Article published in the July 2026 issue of Kronos Japan]
The aesthetic of "safety" that redefines QP
The Maison's seventh "foundational invention," the patented "Mechanical Computer," was introduced in the 2015 QP Equation. While retaining that concept, this new model omits the equation of time display. It combines a 30° inclined balance with a high-speed twin barrel. The upper part of the dial displays the seconds, 24-hour display, and power reserve in a balanced arrangement. The function selector to the right of these is operated by a pusher coaxial with the crown to switch between HM (time setting) and QP (perpetual calendar adjustment). The leap year display is located at the bottom, while the year display is located on the see-through back. Manual winding. 78 jewels. 21,600 vph. Power reserve approximately 72 hours. 18K white gold case (45.1mm diameter, 14.75mm thick). Water resistant to 3 bar. Limited to 22 pieces. Price upon request.
Perpetual calendars (QP) have long been complex mechanisms that require knowledge and caution on the part of the user. No adjustments can be made at night, hidden pushers, and complicated operating procedures have all been accepted as "prerequisites" for establishing sophisticated calendar mechanisms. However, what Greubel Forsey is questioning is not the complexity itself. Is "risk" really unavoidable? This very question is the starting point for this work.
At its core is an evolution of the "mechanical computer" that the company introduced in 2015. This mechanism, consisting of 25 parts, "understands" the structure of the Gregorian calendar and keeps 12 displays, including date, day of the week, month, and leap year, perfectly synchronized at all times. This allows adjustments to be completed with a single crown, which can be safely operated in either direction. The idea of a QP that does not require an operating manual has now become a reality.
What's particularly noteworthy is that safety was placed at the heart of the design concept. The time periods when it would be dangerous to change the date are visualized as red zones, and the mechanism automatically locks. Even if the time has stopped for several months, simply adjusting the date will reconnect everything and allow you to start using it right away. This calendar will function accurately until 2100, and with readjustment in the company's workshop, accuracy is guaranteed for the next century.
In terms of design, the main calendar indications are aligned in a straight line on the multi-layered gold dial, ensuring visibility and balance. A high-inertia balance wheel inclined at 30 degrees and high-speed rotating twin barrels support a stable power reserve of approximately 72 hours.
The QP Balancier is not a watch designed to show off its complexity. By eliminating anxiety and building trust, it has once again brought the perpetual calendar back to being a "watch for use." This approach is the "aesthetics of safety" that redefines the QP.
