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

JUNE 24 2025    |    Novelties

Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold – Cliff Grey Edition

Arnold & Son unveils the Perpetual Moon 41.5 Cliff Grey Edition, a poetic tribute to the cliffs of Cornwall and the legacy of John Arnold, the renowned marine chronometer-maker. This limited edition of 28 pieces in 18-carat red gold reflects the brand’s deep connection to celestial navigation and English heritage.

The dial is adorned with the exclusive Stellar Rays motif, a textured pattern that plays with light through layered transparent lacquer. Its Cliff Grey tone evokes the misty British coastline, while the moon phase display—among the largest in watchmaking—glows in mother-of-pearl enhanced with Super-LumiNova. Set against a midnight-blue sky, the moon is surrounded by hand-painted constellations, Ursa Major and Cassiopeia, symbols of guidance and exploration.

The case, measuring 41.5 mm in diameter, is sculpted with refined lugs and a slim bezel that opens up the dial to its full celestial display. On the reverse, a secondary moon-phase indicator allows for precise adjustment of the moon’s age.

Inside, the manually wound A&S1512 calibre offers a 90-hour power reserve and tracks lunar cycles with remarkable precision. So accurate is its mechanism that it would take 122 years of continuous operation to accumulate a single day’s deviation from the actual lunar cycle.

Crafted entirely in-house in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the movement is finished with Geneva stripes, blued screws, and circular graining. The watch is completed with a warm grey alligator leather strap and a matching red gold pin buckle.

The Cliff Grey Edition is a refined expression of Arnold & Son’s dedication to craftsmanship, astronomy, and timeless design.

 

View Watch Gallery
Image 1 Image 2
View More
JANUARY 19 2026    |    Novelties

gérald genta unveils the Geneva Time Only — sculptural elegance distilled into a 38 mm cushion‑case

The Maison gérald genta expands the Geneva collection with the Geneva Time Only, a new 38 mm creation in warm rose gold 4N and cool white gold, translating the line’s sculptural language and “l’esprit de Genève” into an essential, everyday expression.

“I wanted to capture the intuitive, instinctive genius and artistry of Mr. Genta,” says Matthieu Hegi, Artistic Director at La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, who leads the Geneva collection’s creative direction.

The updated cushion case—neither round nor square—features softened contours, a refined gadroon and a new single, broader lug on each side, striking a rare balance of daring and discretion. Light plays across polished and satin surfaces, while the collection’s signature two‑segment minute track forms a subtle optical illusion as the outer track follows the cushion silhouette and the inner ring remains perfectly circular. The grained brass dial carries a gentle fumé gradient—lighter at the center, darker at the edge—for tonal depth.

At just 8.15 mm thick, the 38 mm case slips neatly under a cuff; both models are fitted with rounded, mirror‑polished solid‑gold hands and applied indexes and tone‑on‑tone calfskin straps. Under the dial, the GG‑005P automatic calibre—Zenith Elite–based with redesigned bridges and a reworked oscillating mass—beats at 4 Hz with a 50‑hour power reserve (158 components, 27 jewels), visible through the sapphire caseback. Water‑resistance is 30 m.

View Watch Gallery
Image 1 Image 2Image 3 Image 4Image 4Image 4
View More
JUNE 25 2025    |    Novelties

Introducing the Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire Blue

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire Blue, a masterpiece of Swiss horology that combines technical innovation with glacial elegance.

Design & Aesthetics

The watch features a 41 mm stainless steel case and an off-center transparent sapphire crystal dial with a subdial. The main plate, crafted by Kari Voutilainen, showcases a stunning glacial blue guilloché pattern. The color palette of silvery greys and soft blues is inspired by the serene beauty of Swiss glacial lakes. The watch is completed with a blue nubuck leather strap with ice blue stitching.

Movement & Mechanics

Powered by the proprietary Caliber ASB19, the Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire Blue is the world’s first automatic movement with a patented stop-work declutch mechanism and Geneva cross. This ensures consistent torque and precision across a 72-hour power reserve. The movement is visible through both the front and back sapphire crystals, and features hand-finished components with perlage, Geneva stripes, and circular graining.

Craftsmanship

Each watch is assembled twice to ensure reliability and refinement. Every component is hand-finished in Biel/Bienne, emphasizing traditional techniques and an open-worked design.

Brand Philosophy

Armin Strom celebrates Swiss horological tradition and innovation. Founded in 1967 and revitalized in 2009 by Claude Greisler and Serge Michel, the brand is known for exposing movement mechanics on the dial side. Their motto, “The Science of Movement,” reflects their dedication to precision and craftsmanship.

Limited Edition

The Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire Blue is limited to just 25 pieces per year, making it a truly exclusive timepiece.
 

View Watch Gallery
Image 1 Image 2  
View More
JUNE 18 2025    |    Novelties

Armin Strom Unveils the Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire Rose Gold — A Masterpiece of Mechanics and Elegance

Independent Swiss watchmaker Armin Strom proudly presents the Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire Rose Gold, a timepiece that exemplifies the brand’s commitment to horological innovation, artisanal craftsmanship, and visual harmony.

Encased in 18K rose gold, this limited-edition watch features a sculptural movement architecture that plays with tone and texture. A brown guilloché mainplate, rose gold-colored bridges, and a floating off-centre sapphire dial create a refined and coherent composition. The watch is paired with a matte brown nubuck leather strap, adding an earthy elegance to the overall aesthetic.

At the heart of the timepiece is the Caliber ASB19, Armin Strom’s groundbreaking automatic movement. It incorporates a patented stop-work declutch mechanism and Geneva cross within the barrel, ensuring consistent torque delivery throughout its 72-hour power reserve. A micro-rotor enables efficient winding while preserving the symmetry and visibility of the movement — a hallmark of Armin Strom’s design philosophy.

Every component, visible or hidden, is hand-finished to haute horology standards. Techniques such as beveling, straight-graining, perlage, Geneva stripes, and black-polished screws are applied with precision and care. The mainplate features a “grain d’orge” guilloché pattern, crafted by master artisan Kari Voutilainen using a traditional hand-operated machine.

This exceptional timepiece is limited to just 25 pieces per year, making it a rare and radiant statement in the world of independent watchmaking. It is a testament to Armin Strom’s philosophy: Mechanics First. Always.

This exceptional timepiece is limited to just 25 pieces per year, making it a rare and radiant statement in the world of independent watchmaking. Priced at CHF 39,400, it is a testament to Armin Strom’s philosophy: Mechanics First. Always.

View Watch Gallery
Image 1 Image 2  
View More
NOVEMBER 19 2025    |    Novelties

A Deeper Cut: Armin Strom One Week Skeleton Rose Gold

   

Armin Strom extends its golden era with the One Week Skeleton Rose Gold, a new interpretation of its architectural One Week design. This fully skeletonised masterpiece reveals the depths of its mechanics, paying tribute to Mr. Armin Strom’s pioneering artistry in skeletonisation—a craft at the heart of the brand’s philosophy and heritage.

For the first time, the in-house calibre appears in a solid 18K rose gold case, enriching the collection with a warmer character. Rose gold-coloured finger bridges, hands, and applied indexes mirror the tone of the case, while a sleek black textile strap provides a refined modern contrast. Measuring 41 mm in diameter, the case remains compact and ergonomic, while its skeletonised architecture gives the watch a distinctive presence—a harmonious balance of technical craftsmanship and precious metal elegance.

Seven Days of Precision
At its heart lies the hand-wound Calibre ARM21-S, a reinterpretation of Armin Strom’s first in-house calibre. Two mainspring barrels work in series to deliver a steady flow of energy for seven days, wound by two ratchet wheels visible on the dial side—a distinctive Armin Strom signature. Operating at 3.5 Hz, the calibre ensures consistent precision and stability in daily wear.

Inspired by historical pocket watches, the conical power reserve mechanism is complemented by a 3D power reserve indicator, displaying remaining energy with exceptional clarity. Central hours and minutes keep the display symmetrical, while a skeletonised small seconds at 9 o’clock adds an engaging sense of motion.

Transparency in Gold
Every component of the Calibre ARM21-S is decorated by hand, reflecting Armin Strom’s dedication to traditional craftsmanship. Hand-polished bevels, Geneva stripes, circular graining, and finely finished screw sinks demonstrate uncompromising attention to detail. Each One Week is assembled twice—a hallmark of the brand’s commitment to mechanical precision and aesthetic integrity.

Limited to just 50 pieces worldwide, the One Week Skeleton Rose Gold continues Armin Strom’s modern gold chapter—a celebration of mechanical transparency, precision, and craft.

View Watch Gallery
Image 1  Image 2  Image 3 
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.