It takes a lot of effort to understand the logic behind Greubel Forsey’s editions. This version of the Tourbillon 24 Secondes is an “Edition Historique” that marks the end of the series of this particular model. Three versions of the Tourbillon 24 Secondes have been made: Asymétrique, Contemporain and Vision, and the watch illustrated in this article closes the Tourbillon 24 Secondes Asymétrique series. So presumably at some time in the future there will be limited editions dedicated to the other two.
The new Tourbillon 24 Secondes has been redesigned when compared to the original. The most striking feature is the presence of swathes of text, printed of course very small, both on the dial and on the caseband. On the front, the texts are engraved on sapphire glass above a grand feu enamel dial, while on the sides of the watch, the texts are on gold plates screwed to the caseband. The text narrates the history of this timepiece and the Greubel Forsey approach to watchmaking. It’s an interesting and original form of decoration, also seen on this year’s Grande Sonnerie minute repeater. The small seconds subdial and the power reserve indicator, both based on rotating discs, are also new features.
The tourbillon is fast-rotating (24 seconds) and inclined by 25°. There is a window on the caseband to provide another view of the tourbillon. The movement is hand-wound, with two mainspring barrels providing a 72-hour power reserve. The watch is presumably the same size as the original Asymétrique, therefore 43.5 mm in diameter and 16.11 mm thick.
Versions and prices
The watch will be produced in two editions of 11 pieces, in red gold with silver-toned dial, and in platinum with anthracite-colour dial. The price of the watch is 335,000 Swiss francs.