Greubel Forsey Hand Made 1: Craftsmanship & Future Models

Spangles - Dr. Tabby · 2023-10-25T16:50:13Z

Explore Greubel Forsey's Hand Made 1 and upcoming models. Dr. Tabby's insights and collector debate on design, finishing, and innovation.

Spangles - Dr. Tabby

WPS member · Independents forum

36 replies8306 views8 photos

Dr. Tabby, known as Spangles on the forum, shares an exclusive first look at the Greubel Forsey Hand Made 1 from WatchTime NY. His post not only offers a personal encounter with this exceptional timepiece but also reveals insider information about the upcoming Hand Made 2 and Hand Made 3, along with Greubel Forsey's strategic commitment to elevating traditional watchmaking and finishing standards. This article explores the community's diverse reactions to Greubel Forsey's horological innovations and design philosophy.

What do YOU think of Greubel Forsey watches?

WatchTime NY was last weekend and I got to try on a number of nice things. One of the nicest is the 95% handmade Hand Made 1 by Greubel Forsey. I found out there are two sequels planned!

The Hand Made 2 will have a different design with an interesting power reserve. The Hand Made 3 will be a chronograph, something that Greubel Forsey does not have in its line up.

Yes, all the Hand Made line will be as much handmade as possible, preserving traditional watchmaking skills.

Further, as hand finishing to a high level has become more common, GF will be releasing a watch meant to raise the bar on finishing. That should be very exciting!!!

So, it sounds like GF is trying to keep its quality and finishing chops high as it increases production. That's not easy but I applaud them!

And on the right wrist from when I tried it on two years back:

Plus the Tourbillon Cardan with an exciting multi-axis tourbillon has just been released:

On a personal note: While I don't like Greubel Forsey's design aesthetic at all, it's hard not to like very much their horology!

Key Points from the Discussion

Innovation in watchmaking should remain comprehensible to collectors, allowing for an intuitive understanding of its mechanics and maintaining a 'soulful' connection, unlike innovations that are technically advanced but visually opaque.
While Greubel Forsey represents the pinnacle of finishing, some question if their focus on hand-finishing and multiple tourbillons constitutes true advancement in watchmaking, or if it's a trend driven by market demand for tradition over progress.
Despite the incredible movements and finishing, the design aesthetic of many independent, uber-complicated watches, including Greubel Forsey, often lacks grace and proportion, leading some collectors to prefer simpler, more classic designs for daily wear.
Greubel Forsey deserves significant credit for achieving an unparalleled level of perfection in their 'handmade' watches, setting a higher standard compared to other independent watchmakers whose work may exhibit noticeable imperfections.
Minor imperfections can sometimes add character to a handmade watch, signifying human craftsmanship, but significant 'oopsies' are unacceptable in high-end horology and suggest a lack of pride in the work.
The Hand Made 1's aesthetic is perceived by some as too restrained, lacking the 'weird' Greubel X-factor and distinctive 'crazy' design elements typically associated with the brand.

The Discussion

GuyT

Oct 25, 2023

A brand whose watches I really like but even had I the budget I don't have the wrists to wear the watches. Still, I like looking at them. Thank you.

Cozmopak

Oct 25, 2023

But the watch doesn't work aesthetically for me at all. It somehow lacks that "weird" Greubel X-factor. Almost too restrained, trying too hard to look like a conventional watch. When I see a Greubel, I want it to be crazy.

ArmisT

Oct 25, 2023

but the other GF tourbillon pieces are incomparable.

mdg

Oct 25, 2023

...my only nitpicks other than price, is that every one I've seen (and I've seen some in person) are very large and thick.

Oct 25, 2023

Haven't seen one in-person, but it's a beautiful design and all the video + high res shot I've seen look immaculate. I think GF deserves a ton of credit for these too, they are very perfect compared to other "handmade" guys like Roger Smith whose work is full of pretty big oopsies. They make his stuff look like it was built by a 15 year old with a glue gun.

Spangles - Dr. Tabby

Oct 25, 2023

It will be interesting to see GF shift gears!

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Greubel Forsey Hand Made 1: Craftsmanship & Future Models

Key Points from the Discussion

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