Balancier Contemporain RG

Availability: See the Balancier Contemporain at 430 Park Avenue, NYC

• Case: In 18k 5N red gold with high domed synthetic sapphire crystal
• Size: 39.6mm
• Movement: hand-wound manufacture movement GF09c
• Function: power reserve
• Power Reserve: approximately 72 hours
• Water Resistance: 30m
• Dial: Multi-level in gold, rhodium-coloured, black minute-circle, with a visual opening for the balance wheel, polished bevel
• Caseback: sapphire crystal
• Hands: polished blue steel
• Strap/Bracelet: hand-sewn alligator leather, 18k 5N red gold pin buckle, hand-engraved with the GF logo
• Factory Warranty: three years

Greubel Forsey presents the Balancier Contemporain with a red gold case. The compact dimensions – a diameter of 39.6mm and a height of 12.21mm  was a real challenge, since it involved reducing the size of the movement and the dial all while maintaining well-balanced forms and pleasing proportions, along with clear readability and cutting-edge performance.  The red gold case is enhanced by three-dimensional variable geometry-shaped lugs that create subtle and elegant curves. These unique proportions are accentuated by contrasting finishes: a fully polished bezel and lugs, with a satin-brushed caseband and caseback. Above the bezel, the high-domed sapphire crystal adds further depth to the movement.

The Balancier Contemporain takes us on an architectural voyage several stories high. The journey begins with a black polished gold plate where the balance wheel takes pride of place at 6 o’clock. Higher up, a frosted and beveled bridge reveals the barrel drum with Greubel Forsey engraving. At 8:30, the small seconds hand moves on a slightly higher level. Higher up still, a delicate hand-frosted bridge displays the 72-hour power reserve, which is brought to life by a slender blued steel hand. Further east, at 2 o’clock, the contrasting colours accentuate the temporal indications, and the off-centre position of the hour/minute dial is accentuated by the anthracite finish of the minute circle. Positioned on a raised tripod bridge, the hours and minutes are displayed by two blued steel hands with a hand-polished flat surface and countersinks. The voyage ends with an opening in the dial that allows a glimpse of the large balance wheel, with its beveled and black-polished bridge.

The caseback of this timepiece reveals a true work of art created with all the mastery of traditional artisanal hand finishing of Greubel Forsey timepieces. A circular engraved red gold disc is displayed in the centre, surrounded by a white gold bridge, which features the Atelier’s key values written in engraved and black-polished letters, along with the characteristic olive-domed jewels set in gold chatons.

Greubel-Forsey