Greubel Forsey’s Nano Foudroyante EWT epitomizes the brand’s relentless pursuit of horological innovation. Launched to celebrate the brand’s 20th anniversary, this timepiece integrates the 10th Fundamental Invention in Greubel Forsey‘s repertoire, combining cutting-edge nanomechanical advancements with elegant craftsmanship. Limited to just 11 pieces, this watch is a beacon of advanced mechanics, merging Greubel Forsey’s first flying tourbillon, perpetual Nano Foudroyante, and manual wind flyback in a white gold and tantalum case, offering a technological marvel that’s as captivating as it is unique.
A Brief History of Greubel Forsey and Its Innovations
Founded in 2004 by Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey, Greubel Forsey has been a leader in pushing the boundaries of watchmaking. From their first Fundamental Invention, they have dedicated themselves to refining the intricacies of timekeeping. Over the past two decades, Greubel Forsey has introduced groundbreaking inventions that not only reshape mechanics but also elevate the perception of horology. Their developments range from the Double Tourbillon 30° to the Quadruple Tourbillon, showcasing their commitment to refining and redefining timekeeping mechanisms. With the Nano Foudroyante EWT, the brand steps into nanomechanics—a new frontier that reimagines energy management on a nanojoule scale, drastically reducing both energy consumption and component count.
Greubel Forsey Nano Foudroyante EWT
The Nano Foudroyante EWT case is a remarkable example of Greubel Forsey’s dedication to high-quality materials and refined finishes. Measuring a compact 37.9mm in diameter and 10.49mm in height, the case is crafted from white gold with a tantalum bezel and case back. Tantalum, a material rarely used in watchmaking due to its high melting point and machining complexity, adds a subtle grey-blue hue that exudes sophistication and technical prowess. The case’s bezel is hand-polished, while the white gold caseband is meticulously hand-finished with straight-graining, reinforcing Greubel Forsey’s commitment to artisanal excellence. The high-domed synthetic sapphire crystal enhances visibility and emphasizes the watch’s dimensional aesthetics. The case is water-resistant up to 3 ATM, ensuring both durability and elegance.
Simplicity, yet complication
The multi-level dial reflects Greubel Forsey’s signature layering, presenting depth and a play of textures. Crafted from gold and treated with rhodium, the dial features an engraved and black-lacquered hour ring and minute circle, lending both readability and refined artistry. The tourbillon, with its constant rotation, is displayed through a visual opening on the dial, revealing the intricate mechanics beneath. The Nano Foudroyante mechanism is prominently displayed, with a frosted and engraved dial section that captures fractions of a second—a subtle yet striking reminder of the watch’s precise timekeeping. The small seconds and chronograph minutes counter further emphasize the dial’s layered structure, each encased in gold with polished bevels to enhance the watch’s luxurious aesthetic.
Movement and Finishes – perfection as a signature
At the heart of the Nano Foudroyante EWT lies a groundbreaking movement that integrates the Nano Foudroyante with a flying tourbillon and a manual-wind flyback. This calibre consists of 428 meticulously crafted parts, a testimony to Greubel Forsey’s engineering prowess. The movement operates at a frequency of 3Hz, or 21,600 vibrations per hour, allowing the foudroyant hand to complete a full revolution per second, subdivided into six segments for remarkable precision. The Nano Foudroyante, with its unique design, consumes only 16 nanojoules per jump, compared to the 30 microjoules in traditional mechanisms. This immense reduction in energy consumption exemplifies Greubel Forsey’s commitment to innovation.
The movement features titanium cage bridges adorned with circular graining and polished beveling, embodying Greubel Forsey’s attention to detail. The 42 jewels, each set in gold chatons, reduce friction while enhancing the movement’s visual appeal. The flying tourbillon, with its platinum counterweight, rotates consistently, ensuring accuracy while preserving energy. The brand’s focus on architecture is evident in the movement’s layout, which features a monobloc 3D design around the column wheel—viewable through the transparent case back. The flyback complication is controlled by a column wheel, housed in an architectural design that underscores the structural brilliance of the independent brand’s creations.
Happy Birthday Greubel Forsey
The Nano Foudroyante EWT is a milestone in both Greubel Forsey’s history and the broader realm of watchmaking. It introduces a new paradigm with nanomechanics, significantly reducing energy consumption and component count. Limited to 11 pieces, this watch symbolizes the ultimate fusion of aesthetic refinement and technical sophistication. With its white gold and tantalum case, layered dial, and revolutionary movement, the Nano Foudroyante EWT is a testament to Greubel Forsey’s unparalleled dedication to innovation and craft. This watch is more than just a 20th-anniversary celebration; it’s a demonstration of what’s possible when tradition and technology converge at the highest level.
Greubel Forsey Nano Foudroyante EWT Technical Specifications
Nano Foudroyante EWT in white gold and tantalum with hand-wound movement with 2 patents
Movement
- Movement: 428 parts
- Tourbillon cage: 142 parts
- Jewels 42 (Olived-domed jewels in gold chatons)
- Chronometric power reserve: One full day, with chronograph engaged
- 21’600 vibrations/hour
- Flying Tourbillon with embedded Nano Foudroyante mechanism
- Foudroyante dial, constant vertical indication
- Titanium cage bridges, circlar-grained, polished bevelling, straight-grained flands with engraved GF logo
- Platinum counterweight
Case
- Tantalum and white gold with high domed synthetic sapphire crystal
- Tantalum hand-polished bezel, transparent tantalum back
- White gold caseband with hand-finished straight-graining
- Diameter: 37,90mm
- Height: 10,49mm
- Water-resistant 3atm – 30m – 100ft (standard NIHS 92-20/SN ISO 22810:2010)
Dial
- Multi-level in gold, rhodium-coloured, engraved and black lacquered hour-ring and minute-circle with a visual opening for the tourbillon
- Small seconds and chronograph minutes counter in gold, polished bevel
- Foudroyante, frosted, fractions of seconds engraved and black lacquered
Strap & Buckle
- Non-animal material, hand-sewn
- White gold pin buckle, hand-engraved GF logo
