Showing at WatchTime New York 2024: Greubel Forsey Tourbillon Cardan

Greubel Forsey, a watchmaker known for pushing the boundaries of haute horlogerie, is set to showcase its latest innovation, the Tourbillon Cardan, at WatchTime New York 2024. Taking place from October 18 to 20 at Manhattan’s Gotham Hall, the event will bring together over thirty-five of the world’s top watchmakers, with Greubel Forsey revealing its 8th Fundamental Invention— an achievement aimed at reaching new heights of chronometric precision. 

The Tourbillon Cardan represents a departure from traditional tourbillon designs, offering a novel combination of three elements: a rapid 16-second rotation, a 30° inclined plane, and two constantly tilting rings. These innovations are housed in a bold 45.5mm titanium case, offering both lightness and durability while maintaining the brand’s commitment to avant-garde watchmaking aesthetics. A high domed sapphire crystal covers the intricate dial and movement within, allowing for an unobstructed view of the impressive mechanics, while an exhibition caseback adds to the intrigue.

The dial of the Tourbillon Cardan is where the intricate work of the watchmaker is best on display. Multi-level white gold components are complemented by openworked pillars, creating a layered effect. Gold hour markers and a lacquered minute ring add to the intricate detail, while small seconds and power reserve indicators are also finished in gold, maintaining a consistent, refined look. The tourbillon itself is suspended within two arched cardan rings, giving it a flying appearance that is visually captivating. The tourbillon’s 16-second rotation ensures more frequent positional changes, with the result to provide superior chronometric performance. 

Inside the watch is Greubel Forsey’s hand-wound movement, referred to simply as the Cardan Tourbillon. Featuring 389 parts and 49 jewels, the movement is powered by four coaxial fast-rotating barrels, providing an impressive 80-hour chronometric power reserve. Notably, the 12.6mm in-house balance wheel is designed for variable-inertia, with six gold mean-time screws adding to its look and efficacy. The movement’s architecture is just as impressive as its technical feats, with bridges and mainplates finished in titanium and nickel silver, frosted, spotted, and polished to an incredible degree. 

Greubel Forsey will produce a maximum of 11 pieces of the Tourbillon Cardan per year, with only 55 total pieces planned for production over the next five years. Pricing is marked at CHF 470,000, or about $548,000 USD at the time of writing.

To learn more, visit Greubel Forsey, here. 

And to secure your tickets to WatchTime New York 2024, click here.