Oztimelord
234
Masters of Precision - Greubel Forsey
As part of our global holiday we had arranged to have a visit to the manufacture of Greubel Forsey (‘GF’). Having met Stephen on several occasions we contacted him to see if we could have a tour while we were in Switzerland. In the end it ended up being more than a tour of the workshop as we were invited to lunch and a tour of Musée d'Horlogerie du Locle, Château des Monts with our super tour guide, Phoebe Forsey. After a two hour drive through the towns and mountains between Zurich and La Chaux-de-Fonds, we pulled in to the drive way of Greubel Forsey, and who should be departing but Mr Philippe Dufour.
Had I been quicker getting out of the car I would have had a chance to say, “Hello”. Stephen came down to meet us and after a quick chat, guided us up the entrance of the manufacture which is located in a restored barn. We were introduced to Chantel Graff who looks after sales and marketing at GF. Also located in therestored barn is the bespoke workshop for special orders, the kitchen, the staff lunch room, amenities and a private dining room. Down a few steps and through a sealed door, you are in the heart of the manufacture.
Designed to be environmentally friendly, the modern part of the building is constructed with a double “skin” of glass which allows light and heat from the sun to be utilised to the fullest and controlled to heat and cool the building. The central atrium also floods light in to the centre of the building. The inner shell has doors that can be opened to allow air to circulate.
Watching a professional do the ‘perlage’ treatment before I had a go. A ‘daylight’ lamp is used along with natural light so there is no shadow as the work is being carried out. Let’s just say that I am glad the piece I was practicing on was a sample baseplate, my inadequate attempt resulted in even greater admiration of the skilled people who carry out this amazing technical feat.
The metal that has been cut away is caught in the liquid that is used to both lubricate and cool the metal and then collected to be recycled. Below are some of the components that come off the lathes. After all the parts are manufactured they go off to polishing and clean up and are then packaged into the little blue boxes, which have all the components for 1 watch, to await assembly. This enables watches to be built without having to wait for the parts to be manufactured.
Prior to lunch Stephen and Chantel showed us some of the amazing pieces that are produced by Greubel Forsey…..
The one that started it all, the Double Tourbillon 30 Degrees.
A breathtaking Quadruple Tourbillion
Tourbillon 24 secondes Contemporain
My favourite is the Double Tourbillon 30 Degrees Technique.
Regards
Oztimelord
Masters of Precision - Greubel Forsey
This is a short version of the original
