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

OCTOBER 16 2025    |    Novelties

Moritz Grossmann Unveils TOURBILLON Titanium and TOURBILLON Tremblage: Tradition Meets Modernity

The tourbillon has long been regarded as one of the most fascinating complications in the history of watchmaking. Moritz Grossmann now reinterprets this horological icon with two extraordinary creations: TOURBILLON Titanium and TOURBILLON Tremblage. These timepieces embody the manufactory’s philosophy of blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics.

The TOURBILLON Titanium combines the technical sophistication of a flying three-minute tourbillon with the modern appeal of a titanium case. Its solid silver dial, adorned with a fine grain d’orge guilloche pattern, reflects the artistry of hand-guided engraving techniques. The result is a watch that is both lightweight and visually striking, offering a perfect balance of durability and elegance.

The TOURBILLON Tremblage, on the other hand, celebrates the beauty of historical handcraft. Its warm rose-toned dial is meticulously engraved using the traditional tremblage technique, creating a unique matte texture that softens light and enhances depth. Paired with a white gold case, this model exudes timeless sophistication while showcasing the manufactory’s dedication to artisanal excellence.

Both models are powered by the hand-wound calibre 103.0, featuring a flying three-minute tourbillon and patented innovations for precision timekeeping. Every component is finished by hand, from the engraved plates to the polished screws set in gold chatons, reflecting the highest standards of Glashütte watchmaking. These creations are more than timepieces—they are works of art that unite heritage and modernity in perfect harmony.

View Watch Gallery
Image 1 Image 2Image 3 Image 4Image 5
View More
APRIL 08 2026    |    Watches and Wonders 2026

Tinkler 1958: Precision at a Quarter Turn

A faithful tribute to the original model, the Tinkler 1958 repeater celebrates Angelus’s rich heritage of striking watches. Driven by a self-winding quarter-repeater movement, this double limited edition, available in gold or steel, continues the tradition of measuring instruments that built the manufacture’s reputation. From its establishment in 1891, the name Angelus has been synonymous with the chiming of a bell, a legacy reinforced by one of the Maison's first patents for a silent strike governor in 1896. Since then, repeater mechanisms have remained at the heart of Angelus collections, even being adapted into Braille-repeating watches for blinded soldiers during the First World War.

Inspired by this glorious history, Angelus is reissuing one of its rarest and most refined models: the Tinkler, based on the original 1958 edition. In 1958, Angelus filed a patent for a striking wristwatch, which was immediately followed by the original Tinkler—a pioneer of water-resistant, self-winding quarter-repeater watches. The new 38-mm case charms with a decidedly 1950s aesthetic that is clean, understated, and elegant. At 9 o’clock, the crown is balanced by a pusher that activates the quarter repeater, serving as a functional and historical hallmark of this legendary model.

The Tinkler 1958 edition is driven by the new Angelus A600 calibre, a mechanical self-winding movement that beats at 4Hz and offers a 70-hour power reserve. On request, the pusher at 9 o’clock triggers a sequence where each hour is marked by a clear strike on the first gong, followed by a double strike on two gongs to signal each quarter hour. The movement's finishing demonstrates the watchmaker's extreme attention to detail, featuring a snail-finished main plate, palladium-plated bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève, and a tungsten sunburst oscillating weight.

This new release is part of the La Fabrique line, where Angelus continues its legacy as a maker of specialty watches designed for specific activities or professional uses. The Tinkler 1958 is limited to 15 pieces in 18-carat yellow gold and 25 pieces in stainless steel, each paired with an alligator flank leather strap—ink blue for the gold version and saddle brown for the steel. Combining a modernist-style numeral 12 with exclamation-shaped hour markers at the quarter positions, the watch serves as a modern embodiment of a daring yet functional tradition.

View Watch Gallery  
Image 1  Image 2 Image 3  Image 4       
View More
MARCH 25 2026    |    Novelties

SÄNTIS BY STREHLER - The world on your wrist

Three years ago, independent watchmaker Andreas Strehler launched his new brand, Strehler, to present his philosophy and craftsmanship in a more accessible form. The first model, Sirna, was designed as an essential time‑only watch that distilled his precision, expertise, and uncompromising finishing. The second model, Säntis, takes the brand naturally into the realm of complications. Like Sirna, which was named after the town Sirnach, Säntis draws its name from the mountain near Strehler’s workshop, the highest peak of the Appenzell Alps.

World Time Concept & Crown Operation
Responding to a collector’s request and inspired by his earlier Sauterelle Heure Mondiale, Strehler created a world time watch that remains elegant, intuitive, and deeply personal. Säntis uses a Cottier‑style world time display operated entirely by a single three‑position crown—preserving design purity and simplicity. The 40 mm medical‑grade stainless‑steel case blends refinement with ergonomics and stays below 10 mm thick even with the added mechanism.

Titanium Dial & Time Zone Display
The titanium dial features a sculptural three‑dimensional texture, individually machined, engraved, and hand‑polished. Its pattern is adapted from a design created with Eric Giroud for Sirna. Surrounding it, the 24‑hour ring marks day and night and rotates once per day, aligning with a fixed city ring listing 24 time zones. Central European Time is indicated by “Strehler” rather than a city, and DST‑observing cities are marked with a sun symbol. Both the city disc and 24‑hour disc use luminous printing, with additional luminous dots along the minute track.

Colour Options, Hands & Movement
The titanium dial features a sculptural three‑dimensional texture, individually machined, engraved, and hand‑polished. Its pattern is adapted from a design created with Eric Giroud for Sirna. Surrounding it, the 24‑hour ring marks day and night and rotates once per day, aligning with a fixed city ring listing 24 time zones. Central European Time is indicated by “Strehler” rather than a city, and DST‑observing cities are marked with a sun symbol. Both the city disc and 24‑hour disc use luminous printing, with additional luminous dots along the minute track.

Strap, Presentation & Limited Production
The Säntis comes with a subtly grained brown calfskin strap with contrasting off‑white stitching, and other colours are available upon request. Its steel pin buckle is crafted in‑house, echoing the case’s lines. The watch is delivered in a beechwood box with a cognac leather travel pouch. While not limited, production is naturally restricted due to the fully in‑house manufacturing of cases, dials, hands, and movements, resulting in only 30–50 watches per year shared between Sirna and Säntis.

View Watch Gallery  
  Image 1 Image 3  Image 4  Image 5    
View More
MARCH 26 2026    |    Watches and Wonders 2026

Born of Tradition: Moritz Grossmann Unveils the HAMATIC Silver-Plated by Friction Anniversary Edition

The year 2026 marks a historic milestone for the Moritz Grossmann manufactory in Glashütte, as it celebrates the 200th birthday of its visionary founder and namesake, born on March 27, 1826. A genius watchmaker, scientist, author, and initiator of the German Watchmaking School, Grossmann profoundly shaped the craft of horology and the fate of his hometown. Rather than merely imitating historical concepts, the modern manufactory honors his legacy by blending his cutting-edge philosophy with modern engineering. This dedication to technological perfection and exceptional aesthetics cements its place among the world's elite elite watchmakers.

To commemorate this bicentennial occasion, the brand has unveiled the HAMATIC Silver-Plated by Friction anniversary edition. This special timepiece introduces exclusive design details that pay tribute to the brand's origins, including an "1826" engraving on the balance cock and a vintage 1875 "M. GROSSMANN" logo on the dial. For the first time on a Hamatic model, clean Arabic numerals represent the hours, gracefully stepping in to replace the Roman numerals traditionally favored in previous iterations.

At the heart of the watch lies the exquisite manufactory calibre 106.0, which features a highly effective automatic winding system driven by a pendulum-style hammer weight. This "hammer automatic" mechanism masterfully reinterprets a historical concept with contemporary engineering, incorporating custom features like stop seconds for precise time setting and hand-finished decorations. The movement also proudly mirrors Grossmann’s original ingenuity through traditional hallmarks, such as a large balance wheel, raised screws, and fine handcrafted hands made of blue annealed steel.

The standout aesthetic achievement of this anniversary edition is its rare "silver-plated by friction" dial finish. This painstaking, entirely manual technique requires a master artisan to delicately brush the dial surface with specialized pastes and powders to achieve a fine-grained, velvet-like texture that softly diffuses light. Set in an elegant white gold case paired with a blue kudu leather strap, the HAMATIC Silver-Plated by Friction will be released on March 26, 2026, and is strictly limited to just 18 pieces worldwide.

View Watch Gallery  
Image 1  Image 2 Image 3  Image 4       
View More
MAY 16 2025    |    Novelties

Chronoswiss presents the ReSec Snake: A Venomous Twist on Modern Mechanical

Known for bold evolutions of mechanical wristwatches and daring designs, Chronoswiss unveils its latest creature: the ReSec Snake. Slithering between heritage and rebellion, this timepiece is a hypnotic blend of color, contrast, and kinetic energy — proof that modern mechanical watchmaking still has a few fangs to bear.

The Snake’s Bite

The ReSec Snake coils into view within a 42mm titanium case, coated with a mesmerizing color-changing PVD-coating that shifts from emerald green to turquoise, depending on the light. It’s not just a case — it’s iridescent armor, capturing the reptilian allure of a serpent in motion. Paired with a contrasting white rubber strap, the Snake wraps around the wrist with smooth, tactile elegance.

But the true venom lies beneath the sapphire crystal. A green CVD-coated dial, hand-guillochéd in the Lucerne Atelier, pulses with depth and hypnotic texture. It’s a dial that doesn’t just tell time — it seduces it.

Take a closer look, and the architecture reveals itself: the iconic 3D regulator layout of the ReSec series slithers across the dial, framed by green hour and minute rings and a retrograde second display, like the flick of a serpent’s tongue. Underneath, the exposed gear train glimmers in contrasting tones — a mechanical exoskeleton that moves with silent precision.

Fangs Beneath the Surface

Powering this cold-blooded beauty is the Chronoswiss Manufacture Caliber C.6005, featuring a 55-hour power reserve, ruthenium-plated finishing, and a radial Côtes de Genève motif. It’s mechanical watchmaking at its sharpest: sleek, silent, and engineered to strike.

Limited. Lethal.

Only 100 pieces of the ReSec Snake will ever exist — a rare breed for collectors with a taste for the untamed. The ReSec Snake is a statement: of daring, of detail, and of defiance — proving once again that at Chronoswiss, we don’t follow rules. We shed them.
 

View Watch Gallery
Image 1 Image 2 Image 3 Image 4
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.