Greubel Forsey launches the Tourbillon 24 Secondes Contemporain , which is characterised by its round case and the emphasis on the technical aspects of the movement, particularly the tourbillon. With the Tourbillon 24 Secondes Contemporain, Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey have once again challenged the frontiers of horological architecture in three-dimensions. The depth of vision is enhanced for the first time at Greubel Forsey by the royal blue finish of the plates and bridges. The Tourbillon 24 Secondes Contemporain is a unique edition of 33 pieces featuring a titanium movement and platinum case.
An Expression of Architecture
The aim from the very start of its development was to offer a three dimensional view within a circular backdrop highlighting the beauty of Greubel Forsey's Tourbillon 24 Secondes mechanism. Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey were guided in their architectural and technological creativity by a desire to achieve aesthetic balance in every dimension. The distinctive 12 o'clock index in relief is an example of the innovative spatial management of the components within this architectural study. A transparent synthetic sapphire tourbillon bridge gives a captivating and hypnotic impression of the regulator floating in mid-air and underlines one of the highly creative challenges which are to be found throughout the timepiece. And what makes it individual to every eye yet brings it a perfect harmony is the marriage of simplicity and complexity.
Royal Blue
The Tourbillon 24 Secondes Contemporain is distinguished by the magical royal blue finish of the titanium movement juxtaposed with the flamboyance of the tourbillon. This unique colour recalls to mind the ocean's abyss and strengthens the depth of architecture of the movement. The purity of this intense blue finish, achieved through a special oxidation process is the fruit of considerable research and testing and, shimmering in an infinite range of hues according to the light, gives the timepiece an unparalleled vivacity.
The Tourbillon 24 Secondes
This timepiece houses Greubel Forsey's third fundamental invention, the Tourbillon 24 Secondes: a highly-efficient fastrotating – 24-second revolution – tourbillon cage inclined at 25 ° which minimises negative effects of gravity on the oscillator, particularly in stable positions.
Technical details
The movement comprises 267 components, 88 for the tourbillon cage which weighs 0.39 grams and is powered by two coaxial mainspring barrels in series that provide a power reserve of 72 hours. The oscillator features a variable inertia balance with Phillips terminal curve beating at 3Hz / 21,600 APH.
The titanium plate and bridges feature a royal blue anodized oxide treatment and are hand finished with straight graining and spotting. Bridges in nickel silver with nickel-palladium finish are frosted and straight-grained with hand polished bevels. The tourbillon bridge is transparent synthetic sapphire while the tourbillon cage is in titanium. The hour and minute dial is in synthetic sapphire while small seconds dial and power reserve indicator are in gold. The platinum case measures 43.5 mm in diameter by 15.2 mm high and features domed synthetic sapphire crystals on the dial side and display back. The blue alligator strap is hand-stitched with a platinum 950 folding clasp.
