Greubel Forsey Launches "Handmade 1"

Greubel Forsey is also committed to preserving the traditional techniques of traditional watchmaking through the hands of artisans, and the new Handmade 1 is a strong embodiment of Greubel Forsey's philosophy.

Greubel Forsey "Handmade 1"

　Luxury watch brand Greubel Forsey has done more than any other well-known brand to promote the pinnacle of traditional, handcrafted watchmaking. Co-founders Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey are champions of handcrafted watchmaking in an industry where machines have increasingly taken over many of the traditional watchmaking jobs. To preserve the craft, they launched the "Garde-temps" - Naissance d'une Montre (Birth of a Watch that Tells Time) project with fellow idealist master watchmaker Philippe Dufour, and are committed to preserving the traditional techniques that have been passed down for centuries.
The new "Handmade 1" is a strong embodiment of Greubel Forsey's philosophy.

A watch that conveys the pinnacle of traditional watchmaking craftsmanship

　According to Greubel Forsey, approximately 95% of the Handmade 1, including the balance spring, is made using hand tools. It takes approximately 6000 hours of work to complete, the equivalent of about three years of work for one person. Greubel Forsey has assembled a team of skilled craftsmen and also invited external talent to join the project. The watch is handmade from the movement to the case, leather strap, dial, and hands. Some exceptions include the sapphire crystal, gaskets, jewels, and mainspring.

　The Hand Made 1 is a tourbillon-equipped watch. The case measures 43.5mm in diameter and 13.5mm thick, is crafted from 18K white gold, and is machined using a pantograph mechanical lathe. The case sides are satin-finished, while the surface is polished.

　The exterior is a Greubel Forsey watch, embodied in the brand's DNA, with a distinctive dial aperture, frosted bridges and main plate, small seconds subdial, and tourbillon bridge. The dial also features a hand-enameled chapter ring and blued steel hands.

　The movement is manufactured from the regulating mechanism onwards, and the balance spring is rolled using a rolling mill and then wound by hand. The escape wheel has 20 individually cut teeth, and its surface is finished to the highest standard. The pallet takes one and a half months from shaping to finishing. The movement is hand-wound and has a power reserve of approximately 60 hours.

　The tourbillon carriage is made up of 69 parts, more than the average watch. All are made with traditional tools, making it difficult to replicate the shapes achieved with a CNC lathe. Similarly, every component is hand-finished. The bridges have polished entry and exit angles, and feature a unique brushed finish called Gratté. The wheels also have hand-polished chamfers on both sides (each five-spoke wheel has 40 sharp entry angles).

　Given that each watch requires approximately 6000 hours of work, annual production will be extremely limited. Greubel Forsey expects to produce only two to three watches per year. The price has not yet been announced, but it is likely to be between 700,000 and 900,000 Swiss francs.