Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain Overview

Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain Overview





The smallest GF is an attempt to achieve something simple in an extreme way.

Greubel Forsey watches are renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship, exceptional finishing, and meticulous quality. They often feature multiple tourbillons or other complications, but this is not the focus, as the brand's essence lies in its unique watchmaking style and unwavering pursuit of quality, rather than any particular function or mechanism. The Balancier Contemporain watch before us is the best example. The brand set three main goals in designing this timepiece: 1) to create a more moderately sized watch without sacrificing proportion or three-dimensionality; 2) to fully showcase its in-house balance wheel; and 3) to maintain the watch's unique aesthetic characteristics and finishing style. I believe they not only perfectly achieved these three goals, but they did so more than enough.

Firstly, the Balancier Contemporain watch has a diameter of only 39.6 mm, making it the smallest Greubel Forsey watch to date. This watch displays only the time and power reserve, with the oversized balance bridge and unique balance wheel showcased in the lower third of the dial. The 12.6mm diameter balance wheel ensures optimal stability, while the embedded weights minimize air friction. This is truly an extraordinary timepiece. Finally, throughout the movement, you'll find Greubel's signature textured surfaces, black polish, and wide bevels. As I said, Greubel Forsey has perfectly fulfilled his design mission.

This watch is currently only available in a white gold case. In addition to the main model, there is a parallel limited edition set with baguette-cut diamonds. This watch is slightly larger to accommodate all the diamonds, with a diameter of 41.6mm.

My first impression of this watch was immediately of the Signature 1. Released in 2016, that watch, with a 41.3mm diameter, is the smallest Greubel Forsey model to date.

Jack often says that the true definition of luxury is "use it for as long as it takes, and spend as much as it costs," and I think Greubel Forsey perfectly embodies this philosophy. Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey are both exceptionally talented individuals with unique insights into the future of high-end watchmaking, unwilling to succumb to commercial pressures or produce watches that contradict this philosophy. I sincerely admire them for this. They are true craftsmen, masters of exquisite skill. That said, I'm delighted to see them attempting to create different versions that reflect this philosophy and potentially extend it to new audiences (whether considering wrist size or wallet size). If this watch can achieve even half the wow factor of the Signature 1, I think we would be very happy.

Basic Information

Brand: Greubel Forsey

Model: Balancier Contemporain

Diameter: 39.6 mm
Thickness: 12.21 mm
Case Material: White Gold
Dial Color: Multi-layered gold dial with black lacquered hour and minute markers, rhodium-plated
Markings: Arabic numerals
Luminous Material: None
Water Resistance: 30 meters
Strap/Bracelet: Alligator leather strap with white gold pin buckle

Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, power reserve indicator

Diameter: 32.4 mm
Thickness: 9.2 mm
Power Reserve: 72 hours
Winding Method: Manual winding
Frequency: 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour)
Jewel Count: 33
Total Parts: 255
Other Details: Powered by two high-speed series-connected mainspring barrels and equipped with a Greubel Forsey in-house variable inertia balance wheel (stops when the crown is pulled out)