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Independent manufacture Greubel Forsey has unveiled the Balancier QM ($GF09cm$), marking a historic milestone for the workshop by officially naming its highest, most uncompromising hand-finishing standard: Qualité Musée (Museum Quality). While this meticulous level of execution has been quietly embedded into every single timepiece crafted by the Atelier since its founding in 2004, the Balancier QM is the first model to formally carry the designation. Driven forward by a dedicated research wing within the brand’s proprietary EWT (Experimental Watch Technology) Laboratory, this standard mandates that every individual component, whether fully visible through the sapphire crystals or buried deep within the gear train, must hold up as a standalone work of art.

The mechanical architecture of the Balancier QM is a tour de force of in-house micro-engineering and innovation. Most notably, the timepiece features a specialized hairspring manufactured entirely in-house from the raw alloy stage up—a rarity in modern watchmaking accomplished via restored antique machinery. This is paired with an impressive $12.60\text{ mm}$ variable-inertia balance wheel and a cutting-edge bi-level escapement system that utilizes unique convex pallet-jewels, allowing light to softly diffuse through the rubies rather than abruptly reflecting off flat surfaces. Illustrating the immense labor required for the Qualité Musée standard, the steel balance wheel bridge alone requires seven distinct hand-finishing techniques, ranging from flawless mirror barrel polishing to extra-large $0.40\text{ mm}$ hand-polished bevels.

Visually, the timepiece presents an intricately layered, three-dimensional landscape neatly organized within a highly compact 39.60mm white gold case. The movement architecture encourages deep visual exploration; the escapement is nestled into the lowermost depths of the chassis, while the eye naturally ascends past a high-set small seconds sub-dial, flame-blued polished steel hands, and a raised chapter ring. Beneath this upper track, a power-reserve indicator slips mysteriously across a dedicated sector to track the watch's 72-hour chronometric power delivery, sustained by two fast-rotating, series-coupled mainspring barrels. True to Greubel Forsey’s signature underplayed luxury, the words "Qualité Musée" are entirely absent from the dial, hidden instead on a secret internal plate deep inside the movement.

Limited to just 33 exclusive timepieces worldwide, the Balancier QM represents a deliberate strategic pivot for Greubel Forsey toward smaller, more wearable case dimensions without sacrificing an ounce of technical complexity. The manufacture openly acknowledges that achieving this level of structural perfection across all 298 movement parts demands an extraordinary expenditure of time, which will intentionally reduce the company's overall production volume heading into 2027. Looking ahead, the Qualité Musée standard will serve as the foundation for a series of compact releases, including a highly anticipated movement under development at the EWT lab featuring a gear train crafted entirely from solid gold.
 

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Armin Strom proudly unveils a new expression of its horological mastery with the launch of the Mirrored Force Resonance in 18K Rose Gold. This limited edition marks a significant milestone for the brand’s most iconic timepiece, blending technical innovation with timeless elegance.

A First in Rose Gold

For the first time, Armin Strom’s signature case is crafted from 18K rose gold, offering a warm and luxurious aesthetic. The 43 mm case features alternating brushed and polished finishes, enhancing its sculptural presence. Beneath the sapphire crystal, a bold black off-centre dial showcases a handcrafted sunray guilloché pattern, created using a traditional rose engine lathe. A chapter ring with circular finishing adds depth and texture, while a dark grey Alcantara strap completes the refined look.

Resonance Engineered for Performance

At the heart of this timepiece lies the Caliber ARF21, a manually wound movement that exemplifies Armin Strom’s pioneering work in resonance watchmaking. The patented Resonance Clutch Spring synchronizes two independent balance wheels, enhancing precision and chronometric stability. A pusher at 2 o’clock resets the twin seconds counters, offering a visual demonstration of the resonance mechanism’s accuracy.

Craftsmanship Without Compromise

Every surface of the movement is meticulously hand-finished, visible through sapphire crystals on both sides of the case. Techniques such as hand-beveling, black polishing, perlage, and circular graining highlight Armin Strom’s commitment to haute horology. Each watch is assembled twice to ensure mechanical integrity and flawless finishing.

Limited Edition of 15 Pieces

This exclusive release is limited to just 15 pieces, each priced at CHF 88,000. It represents a rare opportunity to own a timepiece that embodies both technical brilliance and artisanal beauty.
A Statement from Claude Greisler

“The introduction of an 18-karat rose gold case marks a significant milestone for the Mirrored Force Resonance series. This choice of material not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also underscores our commitment to offering a diverse range of options to our clientele,” said Claude Greisler, Co-Founder and Master Watchmaker at Armin Strom.

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Greubel Forsey introduces the final and most exclusive editions of the Balancier Convexe S²: one in black ceramic with 5N red gold, and one in white ceramic, each strictly limited to 11 pieces.
These editions conclude a calibre developed through five years of mechanical and architectural exploration, with production set to cease permanently in 2026.

The Convexe case (41.5 mm) and movement were conceived as a single architectural whole, integrating Greubel Forsey’s signature 30° inclined balance wheel system as the visual and chronometric centre. The openworked movement features 301 components, including a 68‑part escapement platform, and is powered by two rapid-rotation coaxial barrels delivering a 72‑hour chronometric reserve.

Finishing remains uncompromising: frosted titanium bridges, polished bevels, hand‑finished countersinks, and meticulous transitions — even on invisible components.

Two Final Interpretations
Black Ceramic & 5N Red Gold
A dramatic contrast of dark architecture framed by ceramic, with red gold adding warmth and sculptural depth.The interplay of matte and polished surfaces enhances the piece’s three‑dimensional form

White Ceramic
A purist, graphic expression that highlights the structural geometry of the movement through light and shadow.The monochromatic case offers clarity, openness and a distinctly technical aesthetic.

Both editions preserve the characteristic S² display: suspended hours/minutes bridge, small seconds, and sector power‑reserve indication beneath a curved sapphire crystal.

This launch marks the concluding chapter of the Balancier Convexe S²’s five‑year evolution — not an iteration, but a final statement. As of 2026, Greubel Forsey will begin a gradual shift toward an almost entirely new collection, retiring earlier calibres with intention and ceremony rather than quiet discontinuation.
 

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In the refined sphere of independent watchmaking, DANIEL ROTH has introduced a sophisticated new expression of its Extra Plat collection, elevating the rarity of the line while retaining an understated and disciplined elegance. Rooted in the firm belief of its legendary founder that a thin dress watch represents the ultimate epitome of functional elegance, this model is meticulously designed from the ground up to balance modern sophistication with time-honored craft. Cloaked in 950 platinum—a noble metal long synonymous with rarity and traditional savoir-faire—the watch establishes a quiet yet unmistakable presence on the wrist that will immediately resonate with serious connoisseurs.

The defining silhouette of this timepiece remains the signature double-ellipse case, an iconic geometry originally created by master watchmaker Daniel Roth to beautifully frame complex horological mechanisms. To complement this distinctive shape, downward-sloping lugs have been elegantly integrated to ensure optimal wrist comfort while providing a handsome architectural contrast against the light-tan calfskin leather strap. The dial base is forged from solid white gold, displaying a mesmerizing pinstripe guilloché texture executed entirely by hand using a traditional rose engine. Each line is individually carved with masterful control over depth and spacing, beautifully bordered by a gold minute disc finished with a classic filet sauté edge and sharp black typography.

Beneath this stunning facade lies the core of the timepiece: the ultra-thin, hand-wound manufacture Calibre DR002, fully developed and assembled at La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton under the expert guidance of master watchmakers Michel Navas and Enrico Barbasini. Tasked with striking the perfect balance between chronometric precision and a generous power reserve within a slim 3.1 mm structure, the watchmakers increased the movement's frequency to 4 Hz. To sustain this high frequency without sacrificing energy efficiency or structural stability, the calibre incorporates a specially refined balance wheel featuring a variable-inertia geometry and adjustable counterweights.

An open sapphire caseback reveals the true artistic discipline of the manufacture, where technical engineering and aesthetic restraint seamlessly converge. The movement's bridges are decorated with demanding hand-finishing details, most notably the internal angles which are rendered in a rare, rounded bercé form. Requiring at least twice the execution time of a standard flat bevel, this traditional decoration involves polishing a precise curved radius along the edges to create a brilliant, uniform profile. Shaped and hand-polished in-house using a traditional cabron tool, these components reinforce the brand's unwavering commitment to its guiding philosophy: "La Montre Objet d'Art".
 

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