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Lot Essay
Combining cutting-edge watchmaking with strong athletic credentials, the titanium 'Balancier S', the 'S' standing for 'Sport', is a remarkable example of the high-precision timepieces that have solidified Greubel Forsey's position as the leading authority on modern horology. The present timepiece with grey dial was made in a limited edition of only 18 examples, presenting an incredibly rare opportunity to acquire a superlative creation by one of the most exciting independent makers of contemporary high watchmaking. Its remarkable 45 mm ergonomic ovoid-shaped titanium case is cleverly crafted: from the front, it appears round, but from other perspectives, its graceful curvature makes it subtly oval, guaranteeing both presence and comfort on the wrist.
What makes the ‘Balancier S’ unique within the Greubel Forsey universe is its departure from the tourbillon. Instead, it features a large-diameter inclined fixed balance, positioned at a 30° angle and held beneath a sculptural bridge. As Stephen Forsey explained: 'When we started, we made it our mission to improve the performance of the wristwatch, the fundamental research we performed in the beginning led to the idea of the double tourbillon for which we have become known. But we also knew even at the early stage that we wanted to explore other avenues, and fixed inclined escapements quickly became important.'
Similar to the tourbillon, the inclined balance is designed to reduce the negative impact of gravity on the regulating organ in different positions. Greubel Forsey aimed to counteract positional errors so that the overall chronometric performance could compete with a tourbillon by precisely aligning the balance with the mainplate at a 30° angle. Additional complications include a power-reserve indicator with a red-arrow hand at the upper right of the dial and a small seconds display to the left of the balance.
What makes the ‘Balancier S’ unique within the Greubel Forsey universe is its departure from the tourbillon. Instead, it features a large-diameter inclined fixed balance, positioned at a 30° angle and held beneath a sculptural bridge. As Stephen Forsey explained: 'When we started, we made it our mission to improve the performance of the wristwatch, the fundamental research we performed in the beginning led to the idea of the double tourbillon for which we have become known. But we also knew even at the early stage that we wanted to explore other avenues, and fixed inclined escapements quickly became important.'
Similar to the tourbillon, the inclined balance is designed to reduce the negative impact of gravity on the regulating organ in different positions. Greubel Forsey aimed to counteract positional errors so that the overall chronometric performance could compete with a tourbillon by precisely aligning the balance with the mainplate at a 30° angle. Additional complications include a power-reserve indicator with a red-arrow hand at the upper right of the dial and a small seconds display to the left of the balance.