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Lot Essay
Unveiled at SIHH in 2016, Greubel Forsey released the Signature 1 timepiece. The wristwatch was very traditional and unusual for the contemporary brand as it featured a 41.5 mm. symmetrical case without tourbillon. However, the balance bridge was incredibly and beautifully oversized measuring 12.6 mm., and was black mirror-polished to the highest degree. The bridge incredibly takes up approximately 30% of the dial without hinderance, and beats at 18,000 vibrations per hour, allowing for a pleasurable romantic slow beat rate. Greubel Forsey spent 3 years searching for company who could create such an oversized balance but were unable to anyone to meet their standards so they created their own.
66 examples of the the Signature 1 timepiece were created, an already exclusive number, but the present watch was part of the 'Edition Unique' limited edition run. Only 11 watches, distinguished by their grey silvered gold dials and stainless steel cases were created. The watch has been the collaborative design effort of the brand’s founders and Didier J.G. Cretin, a senior watchmaker at Greubel Forsey and part of the team since the brand’s foundation.
Like many Greubel Forsey watches, the brand is known for their second-to-none finishing without compromise and while the present Signature 1 may be one of the most approachable timepieces from the brand, it is no exception. The watch features a myriad of meticulous hand-finishing techniques including Côtes de Genève, anglage, and black mirror-polishing, frosting, and engraving throughout the front and rear. These styles of finishing contrast and complement one another, adding new layers of impressive feats to this mechanical masterpiece.
Greubel Forsey
Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey have been working together for over 20 years in a relationship founded on their shared technical creativity and quest for perfection. The two watchmakers are fabled for their exceptional and avant-garde horology, combining highly complicated mechanical functions with uncompromisingly provocative styling concepts.
The duo became legends in the world of modern, independent watchmaking when they began developing complicated movements for Renaud & Papi in 1992. Greubel and Forsey decided to branch out on their own in 1999, setting up as the independents, CompliTime Greubel, la Neuveville and Bureau d’Etude et Prototype, le Locle, respectively. From this moment forward, they are focused on designing a new generation of tourbillons specifically developed to improve the timekeeping of the mechanical watch.
66 examples of the the Signature 1 timepiece were created, an already exclusive number, but the present watch was part of the 'Edition Unique' limited edition run. Only 11 watches, distinguished by their grey silvered gold dials and stainless steel cases were created. The watch has been the collaborative design effort of the brand’s founders and Didier J.G. Cretin, a senior watchmaker at Greubel Forsey and part of the team since the brand’s foundation.
Like many Greubel Forsey watches, the brand is known for their second-to-none finishing without compromise and while the present Signature 1 may be one of the most approachable timepieces from the brand, it is no exception. The watch features a myriad of meticulous hand-finishing techniques including Côtes de Genève, anglage, and black mirror-polishing, frosting, and engraving throughout the front and rear. These styles of finishing contrast and complement one another, adding new layers of impressive feats to this mechanical masterpiece.
Greubel Forsey
Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey have been working together for over 20 years in a relationship founded on their shared technical creativity and quest for perfection. The two watchmakers are fabled for their exceptional and avant-garde horology, combining highly complicated mechanical functions with uncompromisingly provocative styling concepts.
The duo became legends in the world of modern, independent watchmaking when they began developing complicated movements for Renaud & Papi in 1992. Greubel and Forsey decided to branch out on their own in 1999, setting up as the independents, CompliTime Greubel, la Neuveville and Bureau d’Etude et Prototype, le Locle, respectively. From this moment forward, they are focused on designing a new generation of tourbillons specifically developed to improve the timekeeping of the mechanical watch.