Wishing to create their first ladies’ watch, Bart and Tim Grönefeld found inspiration in the Tankenberg, a tiny mountain approximately 2 km from Saint Plechelmus. On the northern slope of the hill sits a gazebo, erected on the site of a former temple where 'Tanfana,' a goddess, once stood. Tanfana is considered a guardian of peace and harmony.
Introducing the Grönefeld 1944 Tanfana in red gold adorned with diamonds
Nestled in the history-laden environs of Oldenzaal, Bart and Tim Grönefeld, affectionately known as ‘The Horological Brothers,’ have unveiled a masterstroke in horological artistry – the 1944 Tanfana. This exquisite timepiece, their inaugural foray into ladies’ watches, is a harmonious symphony of familial tribute and regional inspiration. Drawing from the serene aura of the Tankenberg’s northern slopes, where the echoes of the goddess Tanfana linger, the Grönefeld brothers have manifested their reverence for peace, harmony, and maternal lineage within this watch. The 1944 Tanfana stands as a testament to their impeccable craft, intertwining watchmaking excellence with a profound personal narrative that traces back to their mother, Antoinette, whose birth year the model reverently bears.
The dial of the Grönefeld 1944 Tanfana exhibits an exquisitely feminine allure, crafted from aventurine—a lustrous midnight blue canvas speckled with glinting metallic inclusions that evoke a starry night sky. The geometric motif, known as the ‘Flower of Life,’ not only enhances its visual complexity but also pays homage to Sacred Geometry, an ancient discipline decoding the mystical symphony of shapes and proportions evident in nature.
A harmonious dialogue is orchestrated between extended Lancette hands, sculpted in resplendent red gold, and the applied trapezoidal indexes, both of which conspicuously chronicle the passage of time. Further captivating is the substitution of a conventional seconds display with an animated floral motif at the dial’s base, where the rotational spectacle unfolds an enthralling moiré effect, reminiscent of a ceaselessly blooming flower.
At the heart of the 1944 Tanfana lies the Calibre G-06, a mechanical marvel synonymous with the Grönefelds’ commitment to meticulous hand-finishing and mechanical superiority. Portal views through a sapphire crystal pane at the rear reveal the majestic inner workings of this automatic movement, obviating the necessity for manual winding and ensuring suitability for quotidian usage.
Adorned with a 22-karat red gold oscillating weight, the movement is both a spectacle and a testament to craftsmanship. Its openwork design, pivoting on ceramic ball bearings, is emblazoned with the ‘Tree of Life’ symbol in white gold—a symbol of strength, growth, and familial resilience. Precision is augmented with a free-sprung balance, rendering the timekeeping minimally susceptible to positional variances, epitomizing the brand’s ethos of unwavering perfection.
Encased in the elegance of Red Gold Au750 5N, the 37.5 mm mantle of the 1944 Tanfana displays sophisticated intricacy, with its multifaceted form that marries contoured lines and curves, bestowing an interplay of brilliance and shadow. This gem-set case, adorned with 233 brilliant cut diamonds totaling approximately 2.73 carats, radiates opulence across the bezel and pin buckle, offering an added layer of scintillating allure. The crown, crowned with an aventurine cabochon, mirrors the dial’s celestial elegance, contributing to the watch’s harmonious aesthetic.
In conclusion, the 1944 Tanfana eloquently marks the dawn of a new era for Grönefeld, artfully blending novel design elements with the unwavering standards that have garnered acclaim among watch connoisseurs globally. As the first ladies’ model, it not only heralds a pioneering chapter for Bart and Tim but also pays homage to their rich lineage and the familial bonds they cherish. This instrument of time is more than a watch; it is a narrative vessel through which The Horological Brothers narrate tales of tradition, innovation, and family heritage—a legacy poised to be treasured by future generations of Grönefeld watchmakers.
