Greubel Forsey takes a Modern Turn with its latest Double Balancier Convexe
The movement itself in Greubel Forsey’s latest creation, the Double Balancier Convexe is not exactly new. But everything else about the watch is, and that is what is indeed revolutionary about the new timepiece. The look, detailing—the very mood of the watch—is reflective of a new design personality: younger, more active, and frankly, far sexier than before.
The case of the Double Balancier Convexe is an iteration of the massive redesign the brand unveiled with its GMT Sport model. The curved, modernist design maintains the brand’s impressive dimensions, but is far more form fitting and wearable. The polished bezel contrast subtly with areas of brushed and “frosted” metal, the latter being a tip of the hat to the antiquated decoration technique Greubel Forsey famously resurrected on many of its movements. The bracelet version (the watch is also available on a strap) shows this to maximum effect.
The concept behind the watch, the averaging of two separate timekeeping organs to produce a better chronometric result, has been around since the age of the Enlightenment. Greubel Forsey has been tinkering with the idea since at least 1999, giving the idea its own spin by angling the balance wheels to offset positional rate effects and employing a spherical differential to average the two balances. The idea was patented in 2007, with the first commercial model being unveiled in 2013.
While the movement components are much the same as they were in the original, Greubel Forsey has used the valuable experience gained during its journey to create the maximum visual effect in this timepiece. The hand finishing is layered with black coatings applied to bottom plates, graining on mid-level brass components and mirror polishing on the uppermost surfaces, an arrangement designed to produce the maximum perception of depth. It is a three-hand watch, but one which could easily occupy the center of any watch collection.
Contact us at boutique@shsilver.com for more information on Greubel Forsey timepieces, available in the San Francisco Bay Area exclusively at Stephen Silver Fine Jewelry.