Press release
Stephen Forsey, who received the award on behalf of GreubelForsey, said: “We are very honoured to be awarded this prize for Invention Piece 2. This timepiece pays homage to our second Fundamental Invention, the Quadruple Tourbillon. Its open heart architecture reveals the intricate beauty of its complex mechanism and refined hand-finishing. This prize is independent recognition of Greubel Forsey's constant quest to improve timekeeping performance and pursuit of excellence in horological art.”
Launched at the 2011 SIHH, Invention Piece 2 is Greubel Forsey's third prize-winning timepiece at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie, following the award of the 2009 Best Complicated Watch prize for the Double Tourbillon 30° Technique and the award of the 2010 L'Aiguille d'Or for the Double Tourbillon 30° Edition Historique.
Invention Piece 2: A celebration of the Quadruple Tourbillon
“The Art of Invention” succinctly encapsulates Greubel Forsey's raison d'être and nothing exemplifies both
Art and Invention more than the majestic Invention Piece 2.
Invention Piece 2's Fundamental Invention is the Quadruple Tourbillon, which features two double
tourbillon systems, each incorporating an inclined tourbillon, linked by a spherical differential. This provides
the escapement with the average timing rate of the two regulating systems, thus minimising positional
errors to improve timekeeping precision.
Greubel Forsey's Invention Pieces celebrate the success – both technical and horological – of their
fundamental inventions. The principal role of an Invention Piece is showcasing the fundamental innovation.
Invention Pieces are completely original timepieces with their own highly developed movements,
indications and cases – not 'special editions' of existing models.
Aesthetically, Invention Piece 2 has an ‘open heart' architecture in which virtually all of is intricate
mechanics are not just exposed, but deliberately displayed to their maximum advantage, all in meticulously
balanced harmony.
Visually it is the three curved protuberances that first attract the eye. These provide visual interest and
allow a smaller case diameter (43.50 mm) than would otherwise be possible. However, it isn't long before
the viewer's gaze is drawn into the myriad levels of the layered elements making up the three-dimensional
dial.
A clockwise tour of the three-dimensional layout reveals the hours and minutes concealing the three mainspring barrels at 5 o'clock, with the hours indicated by a large red triangle and the minutes by a small blue triangle on a rotating disc. An open inverted double tourbillon at 8 o'clock offers panoptic views of the rotating double tourbillon 30° system from above, below and sideways through its curved window. The opening for the tourbillon system also allows visual access to the central spherical differential. A small dial at 9 o'clock provides the seconds, while a blued hand at 11 o'clock indicates the 56-hour power reserve. A second (non-inverted) double tourbillon system at 1 o'clock allows appreciation of the top of the second double tourbillon system. A four-pointed, red-tipped sapphire star displays the four-minute rotation of the outer tourbillon. The inner tourbillons of both systems are inclined 30° and rotate in 60 seconds.
As with all GreubelForsey timepieces, the level of hand-finishing and decoration throughout Invention Piece 2 is second to none. Scintillating mirror-polished steel on flat and curved surfaces as well as the stunning bevels, frosted plates, mirror-polished and bevelled screws provide evidence of the extremely high quality that pervades every aspect of this superlative timepiece.
Turning over Invention Piece 2 reveals an engraved, hand-finished personal message from Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey chronicling the history of the invention of the quadruple tourbillon. Invention Piece2 is a unique edition of 22 pieces: 11 in red gold and 11 in platinum.
