More than likely, you’ve already read about the Gruebel Forsey GMT Tourbillon and its rotating universal time globe, but chances are you haven’t read about Greubel Forsey’s other big SIHH introduction, the Tourbillon 24 Seconds Contemporain.
The case of the Contemporain is in 950 platinum and measures 43.5 mm by 15.2 mm. Unlike many GF timepieces, there is only one tourbillon, and accordingly the case is round, with no protrusions to accommodate additional tourbillons. This makes for a more traditional looking and comfortable timepiece. A convex sapphire crystal protects the dial with a flat sapphire crystal case back. The crown is platinum with an engraved black lacquered GF logo. Water-resistance is 30 meters.
Powering the Contemporain is caliber GF01C, a manually wound manufacture movement with 40 jewels, 267 parts, a frequency of 21,600 vph (3Hz) and a 72-hour power reserve.
The mainplate is made from spotted titanium, with polished beveling, frosted, royal blue treatment. Free sprung variable-inertia balance with gold mean-time screws (10 mm diameter). Balance spring with Phillips terminal curve and Geneva-style stud. Two coaxial series-coupled fast rotating barrels (1 turn in 3.2 hours), one of which is equipped with a slipping spring to avoid excess tension. Bridges in nickel silver, frosted and spotted, with a nickel-palladium treatment with polished bevelling and 1 gold plate engraved with the individual number, 1 titanium plate engraved with the individual number.
The tourbillon cage consists of 88 parts and weighs 0.39 grams. It is inclined at a 25° angle, with a 24-second rotation, Avional cage pillars, titanium cage bridges and gold counterweight. Sapphire crystal tourbillon bridge.
Functions include hours, minutes, small seconds, power reserve indicator and 24-second tourbillon rotation indicator. Sapphire crystal hour and minute ring. The hour and minute hands are in polished gold with SuperLuminova, small seconds (red triangle), power-reserve in polished gold, 24-second double-tipped hand and black anodized aluminum.
Raised polished engraving “Tourbillon 24 Secondes Incliné” on a hand-punched background, three-dimensional, variable geometry-shaped lugs, gold security screws, 2 platinum plates, engraved, hand-finished with texts, screwed to the caseband. Hand-sewn dark blue alligator strap with platinum 950 folding clasp, hand-engraved with the Greubel Forsey logo. Limited edition of 33 pieces.
On top of having only one tourbillon and a very comfortable traditional round case – the Contemporain departs from typical Greubel Forsey timepieces with a contemporary aesthetic and a killer multi-level dial. Furthermore, the depth of the dial allows the wearer to enjoy each of the different functions of the timepiece – the tourbillon, hour/minute ring, hour/minute hands, power reserve indicator and small seconds dial – each on their own level.
