Greubel Forsey Unveil $1.1 Million Grande Sonnerie

Greubel Forsey wowed us once again at SIHH 2017 with the $1.4 million Grand Sonnerie — the brand’s first Grande Sonnerie. The remarkable watch, which audibly chimes the time automatically or on demand, was 11 years in the research and development stages. Its elaborate 855-part movement has two patents pending.

It features a specially developed acoustic resonance cage for a pure chiming sound and incorporates cathedral gongs and multiple striking hammers. The watch has multiple striking modes: Grande Sonnerie (strikes the hours, and the quarter hours in passing); Petite Sonnerie (strikes the hours in passing); Silence (to quiet the striking). It also operates as a minute repeater, chiming the hours, quarter hours and minutes on demand.

Also incorporated is the design is the brand’s signature Tourbillon 24 Seconds (an inclined tourbillon escapement to compensate for errors in timekeeping due to the effects of gravity on the watch). To prevent damage to the movement while the watch is in chiming mode, Greubel Forsey master watchmakers have equipped it with 11 security functions. The watch offers 20 hours of power reserve in Grande Sonnerie mode, or 72 hours of chronometric power reserve thanks to two co-axial series-coupled barrels. We invite you in any time to see our collection of superb Greubel Forsey watches.