The Double Tourbillon Technique 30° Bi-color is a reinterpretation of Greubel Forsey's first invention, the Double Tourbillon 30°, initially built into timepieces of more conventional styling and classic architecture. This new timepiece offers a stunning contrasts between the platinum (or 5N red gold) of the case and the deep black chrome finish of the movement. Each version, platinum or gold, is made in a unique edition of just 22 timepieces.
The version in 5N red gold offers a soft contrast between the red gold of the case and the black chrome movement components.
The synthetic sapphire-crystal is a kind of window looking onto an animated miniature world.
This new timepiece is the expression of Greubel Forsey’s ideals and spirit: transparency above all. Each element of the mechanism is magnified without overwhelming its neighbour, though the centrepiece of this watch remains the Double Tourbillon 30°.
This Double Tourbillon Technique 30° Bi-color is made to be shared. That is what Greubel Forsey commits to in the message engraved in relief on the black ADLC plate on the left side of the case. The text expresses its total devotion to its art with the firm intention of taking it forward, as well as reflecting on the complex structure of the movement. But it is fundamentally a matter of needing to share its boundless enthusiasm for precision timekeeping. On the crown side, a group of key words sum up these fundamental values.
As a tribute to the ancestral craft of the watchmaker, and yet plant it firmly in the 21st century, new mechanisms have been incorporated into this watch, notably quadruple barrels, connected to the power reserve differential, that deliver 120 hours of running time.
When you wind the movement, you can see the barrels rotating over and again. The transparent sapphire-crystal ring, on which the hour markers are inscribed, only takes up the inside rim of the bezel, allowing light to reach into every level of the mechanism. An equal concern for refinement is applied to the hands, which are opened for transparency. The sectorial power-reserve indicator can be found at 3 o'clock, and the circular subdial of the small seconds at 9 o'clock, with their bright red hands.
This philosophical framework gives maximum expression to the decoration of the movement. The sharp internal corners are all bevelled and hand-finished. In keeping with tradition, the mainplate and bridges are in frosted Nickel-silver with a black chrome finish. The Tourbillon bridge remains in steel, bevelled and flat black polished by hand. It contrasts with the gold hands matching the new case in 5N red gold or platinum.
The case measures 47.5mm by 16.84mm, and it is enhanced by side plates in titanium with black Amorphous Diamond Like Carbon (ADLC) coating recounting the story of the inventors. The Greubel Forsey spherical differential can be found at 1:30, here applied to the power-reserve indicator at 3 o'clock, with its swan’s neck bridge and beak hand. The star of the show can be found at 6 o'clock: the Double Tourbillon 30° beating at 21,600v/h. Its first carriage rotates horizontally in four minutes; its second, inclined at 30°, goes around in one minute. Small seconds display at 9 o'clock. Finally at 11 o'clock, fast-rotating, superimposed quadruple barrels with protection against excess tension counterbalance the double tourbillon. They provide 120 hours of precision timekeeping in a total running time of 160 hours. Noticeable in the centre is a special tripod structure that firmly supports the hands. A final glimpse, a similar structure supports the spherical differential for the winding system on the movement side.
