time-keeper


Greubel Forsey unveils Hand Made 2

January 2025


Greubel Forsey unveils Hand Made 2

The ultimate expression of artisanal watchmaking, this 40.9mm timepiece requires over 5,000 hours to complete its 270 components, whether visible or hidden, 96% of which are entirely handmade. With this level of rigour and craftsmanship, only two to three pieces can be produced each year.

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n a highly mechanised industry where the concept of “hand made” is often opaque, Greubel Forsey stands out with a transparent and very strict definition, showcasing exactly what “hand made” truly means to reach its standards.

For Greubel Forsey, “hand made” entails:
1. All components, except five – sapphire crystals, case gaskets, spring bars, mainspring, and most jewels – are crafted by hand using traditional tools such as a precision lathe, a jig-borer, or a pantograph. A major milestone of the Hand Made 2 is the creation of a handcrafted conical jewel for the power reserve indicator, advancing hand-craftsmanship even further.
2. Each component is manually machined with tolerances of just a few microns, achieving a precision comparable to modern CNC machines.
3. Every component, whether visible or hidden, is meticulously finished by hand.
4. Each timepiece is assembled entirely by hand by a single watchmaker.

Greubel Forsey unveils Hand Made 2

Distinctly Greubel Forsey yet revolutionary, Hand Made 2 pushes technical and aesthetic boundaries. Its large conical jewel symbolises this pursuit. In its workshop, Greubel Forsey preserves rare skills, develops unique expertise, and passes it on to future generations with an inexhaustible passion for innovation.

Since 2012, Greubel Forsey has been rediscovering traditional techniques for crafting balance springs, a key component for timekeeping precision. Each spring is made from a carefully selected alloy for its unique properties and individually adjusted by an expert watchmaker. This complex process, including coiling, cutting, and manually adjusting terminal curves, ensures perfect synchronisation with the balance wheel.

Greubel Forsey unveils Hand Made 2

Hand Made 2 combines 18th-century elegance with Greubel Forsey’s signature modern innovation. The barrel and balance bridges create remarkable harmony, each enhanced by five artisanal finishes: frosted, black-polished, straight-grained, polished flanks and bevels, and the polished chamfers accented by olive-domed jewels set in gold chatons.

The hand-frosted German silver contrasts beautifully with the Grand Feu enamel dials for the hours, small seconds, and power reserve. Blued steel hands, deep red rubies, golden reflections of wheels and barrels, and the bright edges of polished steel bridges bring a vibrant chromatic depth to every component. Beneath a thin bezel, the architectural movement opens up to the observer, offering a unique perspective throughout the timepiece.

Greubel Forsey unveils Hand Made 2

The case back extends this harmony, revealing a perfectly coherent mechanism where every detail reflects extraordinary hand-craftsmanship. The Hand Made 2 is not merely a watch; it is an invitation to admire excellence through a mechanical work of art.

Each year, Greubel Forsey’s Hand Made workshop can complete only two to three Hand Made 2 timepieces, making it one of the rarest and most exclusive creations from the Greubel Forsey Atelier.

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