With its unparalleled precision and finish that sets it apart from others, Greubel Forsey, founded in 2004, quickly rose to the pinnacle of luxury watchmaking. All of its collections are produced in small quantities, and its policy of decisively discontinuing entire calibers once the planned production number is reached further enhances the exclusivity of its works. Now, the final edition of the "Tourbillon 24 Seconde Architecture" has finally arrived in Japan. Along with the YOSHIDA special model of the "Balencière Convex S² Carbon," this is a chance to rediscover the value hidden within Greubel Forsey's rare pieces.
This final edition retains the design that uses the fully exposed movement itself as decoration, but features a black titanium base plate for enhanced contrast. Manual winding. 42 jewels. 21,600 vibrations/hour. Power reserve of approximately 90 hours. Titanium x sapphire crystal case (diameter 47.05mm, bezel diameter 45.50mm, thickness 16.8mm). 5 ATM water resistance. Limited to 11 pieces worldwide. Price upon inquiry.
Photographs by
Takeshi Hoshi (estrellas)
Edited and written by Iwao Yoshida
Text by Iwao Yoshida
[Article published in the July 2026 issue of Kronos Japan]
A rare piece that embodies the motto of "The Art of Invention."
Symbolized by its inclined speed regulator, the innovative approach to achieving high precision, the three-dimensional and architectural design, and the colossal finish that combines traditional craftsmanship... The watches made by Greubel Forsey truly embody the motto "Art of Invention." It's no wonder that, despite their exorbitant price, they captivate discerning watch collectors around the world.
The fact that virtually all models are limited-production rare pieces is likely a factor that adds exclusivity and a certain mystique to the maison's watches. The "Tourbillon 24 Seconde Architecture," for example, was announced to have a limited production run of 5 years and only 66 pieces produced when it was launched in 2022.
The highlight of this timepiece is undoubtedly the ultra-high-speed tourbillon that completes one rotation in 24 seconds. The carriage is tilted at a 25-degree angle, minimizing errors due to positional variations.
The titanium case also features sapphire crystal on its sides, allowing the innovative movement's structure to be viewed from every angle, not just through the dial. This timepiece truly symbolizes the dawn of a new era for the Maison.
55 of these Tourbillon 24 Seconds Architecture watches have already been released, and the final edition will consist of only 11 more. The model shown at the beginning of this article was among the first to arrive at the Greubel Forsey Boutique in Ginza.
What's truly impressive is how the series' visuals have been further refined at this point. While the series already boasted an artistic quality thanks to its luxurious finishes, including a black-polished titanium bridge, this time the frosted titanium baseplate has been colored black, creating a stronger contrast and further highlighting the architectural beauty of the movement. It's a truly special specification, befitting the grand finale.
Applying 16 tons of pressure—eight times the normal pressure—the intricately curved convex form is beautifully molded from carbon. Traditional hand-finishing techniques are employed, taking even the direction of the fibers into account, resulting in a truly stylish finish. Manual winding. 43 jewels. 21,600 vibrations/hour. Power reserve approximately 72 hours. Carbon x Titanium case (41.5mm diameter, 12.85mm thickness). 5 ATM water resistance. Limited edition of 50 pieces worldwide. Price upon inquiry.
The "Balencière Convex S² Carbon YOSHIDA Special" can be considered the final release in the "Balencière Convex S²" series, which was launched in 21. This series, featuring a curved 41.5mm diameter case and crystal, houses a movement characterized by a balance wheel tilted at 30 degrees. Initially, it appeared with a titanium case. A carbon case version was subsequently released, and this particular model was a special edition for YOSHIDA, the Japanese distributor, released in 23 in a limited run of 50 pieces.
The difference from the inline model is that the power reserve indicator is accented with blue. Since its release, its cool looks and excellent fit have made it popular with people looking for a sportier version of the Grübel Forsey.
In May of this year, two models were released as the de facto final edition of the series: one made of black ceramic and the other of white ceramic, each limited to 11 pieces. The black ceramic model has already sold out, but the white ceramic model will be available in limited quantities of 5 pieces for Japan only, and will be arriving at YOSHIDA stores sequentially from July.
No matter how much its innovation is praised, Greubel Forsey maintains its policy of ending production once the planned production number is reached and never using the same movement twice. To date, 25 calibers have been discontinued. This is likely a non-negotiable policy for the maison in order to constantly evolve.
Regardless of whether they are realistically affordable, many will surely regret the discontinuation of these timepieces that have opened up new horizons in super luxury. Select collectors should definitely check out the final chapters of these two series, which are sure to become future legacies, at the Greubel Forsey Boutique in Ginza.
A unique space that embodies the Maison's worldview.
Greubel Forsey Boutique Ginza
Address: 4-3-10 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Business hours / 10: 30-19: 30
Closed: Tuesdays (except public holidays)
https://watch-yoshida.co.jp/greubelforsey_ginza
