Shopping Cart

Greubel Forsey unveils its 10th fundamental invention

NOVEMBER 01 2024    |    Novelties

To celebrate the 20th anniversary (2004-2024), Greubel Forsey presents its 10th Fundamental Invention: the Nano Foudroyante EWT. The mechanism’s energy is managed at the nanojoule scale, significantly reducing the number of components and the overall dimensions. The result is a 37.9mm timepiece that combines the world’s first perpetual Nano Foudroyante with Greubel Forsey’s first flying tourbillon and manual wind flyback. This timepiece, set in a white gold and tantalum case, will be limited to just 11 pieces.

 

Legacy of innovation
The first Fundamental Invention by Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey was launched in 2004, marking the Atelier’s commitment to research and invention. For over 20 years, this focus has been at the heart of all Greubel Forsey’s Fundamental Inventions and timepieces. Today, Greubel Forsey’s research is even more fundamental, aiming to completely rethink the approach to the conception of a timepiece. This endeavor demonstrates a major technological leap, comparable to the transition from tower clocks to wristwatches.

Originally, horological instruments were large and public. Over time, they became transportable (table clocks, marine chronometers), then portable with pocket watches, and finally wearable with wristwatches. This evolution reaches its peak today with nanomechanics—a revolution Greubel Forsey is pioneering. Thus, Greubel Forsey intro-duces its 10th invention: the Nano Foudroyante. This new Fundamental Invention is the most technologically disruptive—not only for Greubel Forsey but also for the universe of mechanical watchmaking.

 

Nanomechanics: a new horizon
What is nanomechanics? It is a realm beyond the miniaturization of components to the nanometric scale. When we talk about nanomechanics, we’re talking about controlling energy on a nanojoule scale within a mechanical movement. This revolution in energy management within a caliber allows for a drastic reduction in both energy consumption and the number of components.

 

A revolutionized mechanism
To demonstrate the feasibility of nanomechanics, Greubel Forsey has reinvented the foudroyante second. Its hand completes one revolution per second, dividing it into segments according to the movement’s frequency. In this Nano Foudroyante, each oscillation of the 3Hz balance wheel produces two beats, totaling six beats per second, allowing the hand to divide the second into six distinct segments. This is an energy-intensive complication by nature. However, by managing energy on a nanojoule scale, Greubel Forsey has radically rethought its design and construction. Compared to a traditional foudroyante that consumes 30μJ (microjoules) per jump, the Nano Foudroyante operates with only 16nJ (nanojoules) per jump, reducing energy consumption by a factor of 1,800. The mechanism’s volume is therefore reduced by 90%. Here, the focus is not just on measuring fractions of a second but as a proof of concept for a completely new approach to watchmaking, which is why this Nano Foudroyante was chosen to be a perpetual display.

It eliminates the entire gear train required in a traditional foudroyante to divide the second, as the information is sourced directly, distributing and managing the energy from the movement through a minimal number of low-inertia wheels. Fewer components mean less volume: this Nano Foudroyante EWT is very compact, with 428 components, and the movement measures no more than 31mm in diameter within a 37.9mm case (the smallest ever built by Greubel Forsey).

 

Horology at its peak
There’s more: true to Greubel Forsey’s passion for the tourbillon, this Nano Foudroyante is integrated within a flying tourbillon—the first ever made by Greubel Forsey. Finally, an additional innovation: although this flying tourbillon rotates constantly, the Nano Foudroyante’s dial remains permanently aligned towards twelve o’clock for optimal readability. Together with the flyback, these three features complete Greubel Forsey's 10th Fundamental Invention: a Nano Foudroyante, set within a flying tourbillon, with an oriented reading axis.

This is just the foundation and not the end result: this 10th Invention is powered by a manual-winding flyback movement. This complication presented by Greubel Forsey, includes column-wheel control within the strong architectural design and exceptional finishing, a signature of Greubel Forsey.

 

A limited edition masterpiece
The timepiece will be made in a limited edition of just 11 pieces in this inaugural, refined version, emphasizing its disruptive technical character and highlighting the personality of a timepiece brilliantly conceived in the EWT (Experimental Watch Technology) laboratory.

The white gold case offers an additional surprise, with a bezel and back crafted from tantalum—a first for Greubel Forsey, who have never used this material before. Known for its gray-blue sheen and complexity in machining and finishing (with a melting point above 3000°C), tantalum requires rare expertise. The Atelier also preserves its essential aesthetic signatures, including polished relief engravings of “Nano Foudroyante” and “Greubel Forsey” on a hand-hammered background, hand-satin-finished white gold, and a highly architectural movement. This masterpiece displays the movement around its column wheel with rare 3D monobloc geometry, visible through the back.

The timepiece is engraved with “2004 – 2024” and “20th Anniversary” to mark this milestone.

 

Nano Foudroyante EWT

Technical Specifications

 

                                       

Hand-wound movement with 2 patents
Flying tourbillon with Nano Foudroyante, hours and minutes, small seconds, 60-second tourbillon rotation, 60-minute counter, Flyback function
11 pieces Limited edition
 
MOVEMENT
NUMBER OF PARTS
Movement: 428 parts
Tourbillon cage: 142 parts
 
NUMBER OF JEWELS
42
Olived-domed jewels in gold chatons
 
CHRONOMETRIC POWER RESERVE
One full day, with chronograph engaged
 
FREQUENCY
21’600 vibrations/hour
 
TOURBILLON
Flying Tourbillon with embedded Nano Foudroyante mechanism
Foudroyante dial, constant vertical indication
Titanium cage bridges, circlar-grained, polished bevelling, straight-grained flands with engraved GF logo
 
EXTERIOR
CASE
Tantalum and white gold with high domed synthetic sapphire crystal
Tantalum hand-polished bezel, transparent tantalum back
White gold caseband with hand-finished straight-graining
 
CASE DIMENSIONS
Diameter: 37,90mm
Height: 10,49mm
 
WATER RESISTANCE OF THE CASE
Water-resistant 3atm - 30m - 100ft
(standard NIHS 92-20/SN ISO 22810:2010)
 
DIAL SIDE
Multi-level in gold, rhodium-coloured, engraved and black lacquered hour-ring and minute-circle with a visual opening for the tourbillon
Small seconds and chronograph minutes counter in gold, polished bevel
Water resistance: 50m/5atm/160ft
Crown for winding and time-setting at 3 o’clock
Foudroyante, frosted, fractions of seconds engraved and black lacquered
 
STRAP AND CLASP
Non-animal material, hand-sewn
White gold pin buckle, hand-engraved GF logo

 

 

                                           


Related Articles

APRIL 07 2026    |    Watches and Wonders 2026

The HM Pietersite: A Tribute to the Spirit of Exploration and the Art of the Ultra-Thin

Arnold & Son presents two new evocative versions of its ultra-thin HM model, featuring dials crafted from Namibian pietersite. Often called the "stone of storms," this decorative mineral belongs to the chalcedony family and was first discovered by Sid Pieters in the early 1960s. Each unique dial displays delicate, swirling patterns that recall the turbulent skies and foaming waves of Cornwall, the English birthplace of founder John Arnold. This design pays tribute to the ingenuity of the legendary watchmaker while celebrating the spirit of those who maintain their course in a challenging world.

The designation "HM" was intentionally chosen to reflect the watch's focus on displaying only hours and minutes, while simultaneously serving as a historical nod to the British Royal Navy. In naval tradition, HM stands for "His or Her Majesty’s," a title that appeared in the 17th century and was later formalized as HMS. By transposing this reference to watchmaking, Arnold & Son connects the precision of modern horology with England's maritime history, specifically the era when John Arnold’s marine chronometers enabled the exploration of new lands.

Encased in a choice of 18-carat red gold or stainless steel, the HM Pietersite is a masterpiece of elegance and restraint. The case measures a refined 39.5 mm in diameter with a remarkably slim profile of just 7.82 mm. To complement the dreamlike, diaphanous patterns of the pietersite dial, the timepiece is paired with a matte ink-blue alligator leather strap and a traditional pin buckle crafted from the same metal as the case. These limited editions are produced in extremely small quantities, with only 8 pieces available in red gold and 18 in steel.

At the heart of this timepiece lies the ultra-thin, in-house A&S1001 manual-winding calibre. Visible through a sapphire crystal case back, the movement is a showcase of luxury finishing, featuring a rhodium-plated main plate with circular graining and bridges adorned with radiating Côtes de Genève. Despite its slender height of only 2.70 mm, the movement offers exceptional performance with a generous 90-hour power reserve. Every detail, from the snail-finished wheels to the blued screws with polished heads, reflects the most exacting standards of Swiss watchmaking.

View Watch Gallery  
Image 1  Image 2 Image 3  Image 4       
View More
APRIL 01 2025    |    Watches and Wonders 2025

Armin Strom Introduces The One Week Skeleton

The Armin Strom One Week Titanium Skeleton, an openworked masterpiece now fully skeletonized to reveal the intricate heart of its mechanics, combines striking design with precision engineering. Encased in lightweight titanium grade 5, it balances strength with comfort, providing a feeling of lightness that makes it easy to wear all week long.

The Armin Strom One Week Titanium Skeleton is a showcase of skeletonization, a technique that is rooted in Mr. Armin Strom’s philosophy and heritage. He sought to enhance depth and three-dimensionality while avoiding see-through to maintain elegance.

The 2023 One Week was already openworked by nature, but this version goes even further, removing more material to highlight the movement’s complexity. Few watches combine openworking and skeletonization at this level. The small seconds dial is skeletonized, revealing the power reserve level and the escapement wheel for a 3D mechanical animation. The mainplate and the barrels are also skeletonized enhancing aesthetics. Thanks to this skeletonization, the power reserve indicator is highlighted as well as the cone mechanism, reminiscent of ancient pocket watches. A major highlight is the case back, offering a mesmerizing view of the entire mechanism.

With a 7-day power reserve, this watch keeps time accurate for an entire week without needing winding. The hand-finished details reflect the level of craftsmanship behind its design. Limited to 100 pieces, the One Week Titanium Skeleton offers a refined, functional timepiece that blends robustness and comfort in a minimalist package.
 

View More
JANUARY 12 2026    |    Novelties

Arnold & Son Unveils Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold “Year of the Horse” – A Tribute to the Fire Horse

Mystical, untamed and dazzling, the Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold “Year of the Horse” follows in the footsteps of Arnold & Son’s Chinese zodiac collections. In the year spanning 2026 and 2027, the Fire Horse will set the astrological tone for connoisseurs of watchmaking and métiers d’art. To celebrate this flamboyant sign, Arnold & Son presents a limited edition of eight pieces, housed in 41.5-mm red gold cases. And while the noble animal is ever alert, it is at night that the full extent of its fiery, mysterious and incandescent nature is revealed.

A horse rears on a hill top – a commanding silhouette carved out against a star-studded sky, surrounded by the sparks of a metaphorical fire. This is Arnold & Son’s interpretation of the Fire Horse, the sign that will succeed the Wood Snake on 17 February 2026. For the sixth consecutive year, Arnold & Son is back in the saddle, drawing on the full breadth of its artistic savoir-faire. Miniature painting, three-dimensional engraving, fine stonework and the refined finishing of an astronomical moon-phase calibre: the Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold “Year of the Horse” tells a tale of excellence, symbolism and vital energy.

An ardent design
Behind the expressive power of the scene, lies all of Arnold & Son’s creativity and mastery. The horse, in 18-carat red gold appliqué, is hand engraved. From hooves to mane, every muscle seems to ripple with energy. The black aventurine sky shimmers like a vast, celestial expanse, where distant stars mingle with mountainous reliefs and shadowy woodland undergrowth.

In the horse’s wake, hand-painted golden dust evokes a trail of sparks that ignite one after the other as the animal passes. These glowing flashes reflect its inner fire and untamed spirit. Touches of red and yellow Super-LumiNova, diffusing the same nocturnal shades, transform the scene as the light dims. Under the radiant mother-of-pearl moon, the horse’s majestic silhouette stands out, while the embers smoulder with new intensity. Not far away, the constellations of Cassiopeia and Ursa Major take shape on the lunar disc, completing this dual-faced, dual-display dial.

A noble pedigree
On the case back, a secondary moon-phase display enables fast, accurate setting of the lunar age. The heart of the Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold “Year of the Horse”, the manual winding A&S1512 calibre, follows the lunar cycle with exceptional precision. While a true lunation lasts 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 2.8 seconds, Arnold & Son have achieved such precision that it would take 122 years for the display to drift by a single day from the actual lunar cycle, provided the watch is kept fully wound.

As for all Arnold & Son movements, the A&S1512 calibre is developed, manufactured, decorated, assembled, adjusted and cased up at the Chaux-de-Fonds manufacture. Equipped with two barrels and beating at 3 Hz, it gives the Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold “Year of the Horse” a generous power reserve of 90 hours.

View Watch Gallery
Image 1 Image 2
View More
AUGUST 26 2025    |    Novelties

Armin Strom Unveils Tribute 1 Sandstein: A Timeless Homage Cast in Sandstone

Drawing inspiration from the natural beauty and architectural heritage of Burgdorf, Armin Strom introduces the Tribute 1 Sandstein, a limited edition timepiece that blends Swiss tradition with modern refinement. With only 50 pieces available globally, this elegant watch pays tribute to the region’s iconic sandstone and the brand’s artisanal roots.

Encased in a 38 mm stainless steel case with alternating brushed and polished finishes, the Tribute 1 Sandstein features a warm sand-toned off-centre dial adorned with a grain d’orge guilloché pattern and Roman numerals. A frosted subdial and matching sand Alcantara strap complete the harmonious design.

At its heart beats the in-house Caliber AMW21, a hand-wound movement offering an impressive 100-hour power reserve. The visible motor barrel, held by a mirror-polished finger bridge, adds a modern technical flair while honoring traditional Swiss watchmaking values.

Through sapphire crystals on both sides, the movement reveals Armin Strom’s signature hand-finishing: hand-bevelled bridges, black-polished screws, Geneva stripes, and circular graining. Each watch is assembled twice, ensuring mechanical precision and aesthetic integrity.  

View Watch Gallery
Image 1 Image 2  
View More
JULY 02 2025    |    Novelties

Greubel Forsey Unveils the Final Balancier Contemporain in Stainless Steel - A Defining Final Edition

Greubel Forsey presents the final edition of the Balancier Contemporain, marking the definitive conclusion of this iconic calibre. This timepiece is housed in a 39.6mm stainless steel case – a material that has only been used twice before in the history of the Atelier. Limited to just 33 timepieces, this edition will be built and delivered exclusively in 2025. Once complete, the Balancier Contemporain calibre will be permanently retired and will never be made again.

More than a final edition, this stainless steel interpretation is a statement of purpose – it is the rarest and most exclusive case material in the Atelier’s repertoire. Its presence here is deliberate: to honour the legacy of the Balancier Contemporain with purity, restraint, and resolve.

Compact, Yet Monumental

When it was introduced, the Balancier Contemporain redefined expectations – delivering the full Greubel Forsey experience in just 39.6mm. This final edition preserves that feat of engineering and design. Under its high-domed sapphire crystal, the gold dial reveals a rich interplay of levels, textures, and finishes. A sunburst blue hour-ring frames the composition, while a deep blue minute-circle and sectorial indications for the small seconds and power reserve create both contrast and clarity. A large visual opening draws the eye to the in-house 12.6mm balance wheel, suspended above a flat, black-polished gold plate that provides visual depth and dramatic reflection.

The movement is composed of 256 parts, each hand-finished to the highest standard. The bridges are in nickel silver, frosted and spotted by hand, with perfectly polished bevels and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, and a subtle blue treatment unique to this edition. The balance wheel bridge is flat black polished steel – one of the most demanding finishes in haute horlogerie – with hand-polished bevels that reflect light beautifully. The balance wheel itself is mounted above a flat black-polished gold plate, a surface so refined it becomes both technical and architectural.

On the movement side, a black-polished gold plate is engraved in relief with the fundamental values of Greubel Forsey – invisible to the wearer, yet finished with the same uncompromising care. Olive-domed jewels are set in gold chatons, with hand-polished countersinks that catch the light at just the right angle. Every component, visible or not, is treated with the same reverence – as if each part could stand on its own as a miniature work of art.

A Closing Statement – and a New Beginning

This is the last timepiece to carry the Balancier Contemporain calibre – but it is also the first to signal a new direction. With this final edition, Greubel Forsey opens a new chapter focused on small-diameter timepieces. Over the coming years, this creative momentum will continue to build, exploring new dimensions of mechanical expression, proportion, and elegance – all without compromise.

The Balancier Contemporain in stainless steel is a definitive conclusion – and a confident beginning.
 

View Watch Gallery
Image 1 Image 2Image 3 Image 4  
View More
ENDLESS DISCOVERY IN YOUR INBOX
Join our mailing list to receive insider updates on our latest collections, invites to private events, and other personalized offerings.