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GREUBEL FORSEY UNVEILS HAND MADE 2: THE ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF TRUE HAND WATCHMAKING

JANUARY 21 2025    |    Novelties

Hand Made 2 embodies the ultimate pursuit of hand watchmaking. Every component, whether visible or hidden, is created, finished, and assembled by hand with unprecedented rigor. Over 5,000 hours are required to complete the 270 components of this four handed 40.9mm timepiece, 96% of which are entirely handmade. Only two to three such timepieces can be crafted each year, our commitment to the highest level of craftsmanship.

 

In a highly mechanised industry where the concept of "hand made" is often opaque, Greubel Forsey stands out with a transparent and very strict definition, showcasing exactly what "hand made" truly means to reach its standards.

WHAT HAND MADE MEANS TO GREUBEL FORSEY
For Greubel Forsey, "hand made" entails:

  1. All components, except five – sapphire crystals, case gaskets, spring bars, mainspring, and most jewels – are crafted by hand using traditional tools such as a precision lathe, a jig-borer, or a pantograph. A major milestone of the Hand Made 2 is the creation of a handcrafted conical jewel for the power reserve indicator, advancing handcraftsmanship even further.
  2. Each component is manually machined with tolerances of just a few microns, achieving a precision comparable to modern CNC machines.
  3. Every component, whether visible or hidden, is meticulously finished by hand.
  4. Each timepiece is assembled entirely by hand by a single watchmaker.

 

HAND MADE 2: PUSHING THE LIMITS
Distinctly Greubel Forsey yet revolutionary, Hand Made 2 pushes technical and aesthetic boundaries. Its large conical jewel symbolises this pursuit. In its workshop, Greubel Forsey preserves rare skills, develops unique expertise, and passes it on to future generations with an inexhaustible passion for innovation.

 

MASTERING THE BALANCE SPRING
Since 2012, Greubel Forsey has been rediscov¬ering traditional techniques for crafting balance springs, a key component for timekeeping pre¬cision. Each spring is made from a carefully selected alloy for its unique properties and individually adjusted by an expert watchmaker. This complex process, including coiling, cutting, and manually adjusting terminal curves, ensures perfect synchronisation with the balance wheel.

 

TIMELESS AESTHETICS AND EXCEPTIONAL RARITY
Hand Made 2 combines 18th-century elegance with Greubel Forsey’s signature modern innovation. The barrel and balance bridges create remarkable harmony, each enhanced by five artisanal finishes: frosted, black-polished, straight-grained, polished flanks and bevels, and the polished chamfers ac¬cented by olive-domed jewels set in gold chatons.

The hand-frosted German silver contrasts beautifully with the Grand Feu enamel dials for the hours, small seconds, and power reserve. Blued steel hands, deep red rubies, golden reflections of wheels and barrels, and the bright edges of polished steel bridges bring a vibrant chromatic depth to every component. Beneath a thin bezel, the architectural movement opens up to the ob¬server, offering a unique perspective throughout the timepiece. The case back extends this harmony, revealing a perfectly coherent mechanism where every detail reflects extraordinary handcrafts¬manship. The Hand Made 2 is not merely a watch; it is an invitation to admire excellence through a mechanical work of art.

 

EXCEPTIONAL RARITY
Each year, Greubel Forsey’s Hand Made workshop can complete only two to three Hand Made 2 time¬pieces, making it one of the rarest and most ex¬clusive creations from the Greubel Forsey Atelier.

 


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JULY 18 2025    |    Novelties

Introducing the Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire Blue

Armin Strom, the independent Swiss watchmaker renowned for its openworked designs and mechanical innovation, proudly unveils two striking new additions to its System 78 collection: the Orbit Lime Green and Orbit Ice Blue.

These limited edition timepieces—each restricted to just 20 pieces worldwide—introduce vibrant new fumé dials that blend bold aesthetics with technical mastery. The Lime Green model radiates energy and modernity, while the Ice Blue version offers a serene and sophisticated presence. Both dials feature a gradient effect that transitions from vivid color at the center to deep black at the edges, enhancing the visual depth of the openworked design.

A World-First Date Display on Demand

At the heart of both models lies the Armin Strom Manufacture Caliber ASS20, the world’s first movement to feature a date display on a ceramic bezel that appears only when activated. A pusher at 10 o’clock engages the date hand, which points to the current date and advances automatically at midnight. A second press returns the hand to its neutral position, offering a playful yet practical complication powered by a column-wheel mechanism.

The movement also incorporates Armin Strom’s patented Equal Force Barrel, delivering consistent energy for a stable 72-hour power reserve.

Haute Horology Craftsmanship

Each Orbit model is meticulously hand-finished at Armin Strom’s Manufacture in Biel/Bienne, employing traditional techniques such as anglage, perlage, and circular graining. The off-center dial is paired with rhodium-coated hands enhanced with Super-LumiNova®, ensuring legibility and elegance. The watches are housed in a stainless steel case with a fixed ceramic bezel and come with a matching bracelet featuring a double-folding clasp.

The Science of Movement

Founded in 1967 and revitalized in 2009, Armin Strom continues to push the boundaries of horological innovation. Every timepiece is designed, developed, and assembled in-house, reflecting the brand’s commitment to transparency, craftsmanship, and mechanical excellence.

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