Greubel Forsey Tourbillon Universal Wheel
Greubel Forsey introduces the brand’s eighth major invention with the Tourbillon Gimbal watch.
Greubel Forsey has been developing new tourbillons for many years. Over the past three years, this tourbillon has moved from concept to reality and now debuts as the studio’s eighth major invention.
Tourbillon universal wheel: a new level of timing precision
In order to achieve a new level of timing precision, the tourbillon universal wheel relies on three pillars: a rapidly rotating tourbillon, a 30° bevel and two rings that constantly swing back and forth.
For twenty years Greubel Forsey has argued that modern watchmaking has not yet exhausted all the technical possibilities of fine watchmaking. The studio has now proven this with seven ground-breaking inventions that approach the fundamentals of watch movement regulation and other important complications from a completely new perspective.
This effort focused on chronometric performance now continues with the launch of its eighth major invention: the universal tourbillon.
An unprecedented tourbillon: Cardan Tourbillon
The Tourbillon Universal Wheel takes its name from its complexity and is designed to achieve a new level of chronometric performance. It combines three principles. First: tourbillon. Patented by Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1801, this device was designed to compensate for rate deviations in vertical position. For Greubel Forsey, this is not the end of the story, just the beginning.
A high-speed tourbillon that rotates once every 16 seconds
While most tourbillons make one revolution every 60 seconds, Greubel Forsey's eighth major invention spun almost four times as fast. It only takes 16 seconds. This is the fastest rotation time of a Greubel Forsey tourbillon to date. It can complete more positions in less time and therefore provides significantly higher average performance.
In addition, this tourbillon is equipped for the first time with a large balance wheel developed and manufactured by Greubel Forsey. It takes full advantage of an excellent balance between mass, size (12.6mm) and optimized vibration. Their high inertia also makes them less sensitive to vibrations and velocity fluctuations.
The second principle: 30° angle. The tourbillon – as it was conceived more than two hundred years ago – was designed for pocket watches to be worn vertically. For watches, the concept had to be completely rethought and optimized for everyday use in the 21st century.
Third Principle: A high-speed tourbillon inclined at 30° is guided by two movable rings interconnected by two 90° axes. The rings tilted back and forth in 48 seconds. While the design is reminiscent of a gimbal, it is significantly different in that the two rings are free to move and their role is to keep the object they are holding level. On the tourbillon universal wheel, the inclination of the ring is controlled between +30° and -30°, while the inclination of the tourbillon is also 30°, but it never changes. This improves the relationship between angular velocity and timing performance.
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Universal tourbillon and its chronometric power reserve
The tourbillon universal wheel has four barrels. This is an extraordinary design that has only appeared once in 20 years from Greubel Forsey. They are stacked coaxially and have a sliding mainspring to prevent excessive tension when winding. The chronograph power reserve is 80 hours. From this point on, the timepiece still runs very well, but its accuracy may no longer meet Greubel Forsey's tight tolerances.
Universal tourbillon and its innovative aesthetics
Since the tourbillon cannot be held in place by a fixed uppear bridge, this function is performed by two universal joints. With its eighth major invention, the Manufacture Greubel Forsey has created a new tourbillon that not only looks like it is flying, but is also original and patent-protected, without retaining traditional construction. The deceptively complex structure with minimal components provides an open, airy aesthetic that draws attention to the admirable mechanics.
Certain components of the tourbillon cardan require only up to three days of work to achieve final hand finishing. A variety of unique finishes have been developed specifically for this watch. The work plate is made of matte nickel silver with polished bevels and ruled sides, while the titanium main plate has large polished angles as a backdrop for the suspension. But that’s not all: the upper bridge of the tourbillon cage is made of matte titanium with straight grain texture on the sides and polished bevels on the top and bottom. The bow has been polished. This component alone took over 30 hours to complete.
The hanging rings have a matte finish, with polished bevels and ruled sides, while the lower plate is hand-brushed – a task that requires special expertise from the studio. Finally, there are two dials (hours, minutes and seconds): one with circular texture, polished sides and a very large highlight angle, and the other with polished outer sides.
The light aesthetics of the tourbillon universal joint
Greubel Forsey also developed a high-domed sapphire crystal for this watch. It fully protects the tourbillon and its suspension and provides a highly architectural, technical look. As a result, the majestic oscillation of the balance wheel with a diameter of 12.6 mm and the two universal joints surrounding it are clearly visible.
The Tourbillon Gimbal watch will be equipped with a 45.5 mm titanium case. This metal was chosen for its modernity and lightness, perfectly in line with the light aesthetic of the tourbillon’s gimbal.
Technical characteristics of tourbillon universal wheel
Case: Titanium with high domed synthetic sapphire crystal. Transparent case back with high-domed synthetic sapphire crystal. The bezel is hand-polished and the middle of the case is hand-grained with straight grain. • Titanium safety screws. Embossed and polished "Tourbillon Cardan" and "Greubel Forsey" text on a hand-stamped background. Waterproof to 3 ATM – 30 m – 100 ft (standard NIHS 92-20/SN ISO 22810:2010)
Dimensions: Case middle diameter: 45.50 mm / Bezel diameter: 46.00 mm / Case height 13.81 mm / Synthetic sapphire crystal height: 18.15 mm. Polished titanium crown with GF logo
Dial side: multi-level gold dial, hollow columnar, circular texture, engraved minute circle, polished side, gold hour markers. The small seconds hand and power reserve indicator are made of gold, engraved and painted. Engraved and painted GF logo
Hands: Polished steel hour and minute hands with Super-LumiNova, polished steel small seconds and power reserve hand, hand-polished countersunk, flat, black, polished tips
Manually wound movement with patented Gimbal Tourbillon: Gimbal Tourbillon • Hours and minutes • Small seconds • Power reserve
Movement dimensions: diameter 39.60 mm, height 13.53 mm. Number of components: Movement: 389 components, Gimbal Tourbillon cage: 98 components, Frame weight: 0.92 g. Observatory power reserve 80 hours. 49 olive-shaped dome bearing gemstones set in gold sleeves
Barrels: Four coaxial, standard-coupled, fast-rotating barrels (one revolution in 2.7 hours), one of which is equipped with a sliding spring to prevent excessive tension
Relief, circular texture, black coating, polished bevel
Balance: Internal balance with variable moment of inertia and six golden center time screws (diameter 12.60 mm), frequency 21,600 vibrations per hour
Hairspring: cross-end curve, Geneva pin
Bridges and Baseboard: Titanium and Nickel Silver, Matte and Speckled, Polished Bevels and Countersinks, Ruled Side Flaps, Handmade Bevels and Skeleton Cage Pillars
Movement sides: Black flat tourbillon bridge, polished steel, polished chamfers and countersunk holes, engraved gold plate, individually numbered, circular texture, polished chamfers, ruled flanks
Gimbal Tourbillon: The extremely fast-rotating inner tourbillon cage (one revolution every 16 seconds) is made of titanium, polished and hand-chamfered, tilted at a 30° angle, and equipped with gold counterweights. External flying gimbal cage, 48 second cycle, 30° dual variable tilt, polished and hand chamfered, ruled sides.
Gear train: involute circular profile, bevel gear with profile teeth
Display: hours and minutes, small seconds, power reserve display area
Bracelet: non-animal derived material, hand-sewn, titanium folding clasp, engraved with GF logo
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