Bob L. shares an intimate look at two exceptional Greubel Forsey timepieces, the 39mm Balancier Contemporaine and the 42.5mm Double Balancier Convexe. His post delves into the wearability and intricate finishing of these haute horlogerie creations, offering a collector's perspective on what makes them truly special. This article explores Bob L.'s personal appreciation and the community's insights into these remarkable independent watches.
This picture captures two pieces that I consider to be very special. One is the 39mm Balancier Contemporaine, perhaps the easiest Greubel Forsey to wear on a daily basis. The other is the 42.5mm Double Balancier Convexe, a much more casual watch given its size and design, but a true fireworks display of a wonderfully complex movement.
Both watches are a pleasure to wear—they are comfortable on the wrist and not overly huge (though the Double Balancier is certainly a bit on the thicker side), even on a modest wrist size below 7 inches. Both watches provide a great distraction from the events of the day whenever I have a chance to look down. And, both, despite their varying degrees of complexity, satisfy the basic function of letting me know what time it is at a quick glance. In other words, they’re not hard to read.
What I enjoy most about the watches, perhaps, is when I have time to sit down and examine them with a loupe. I am far from an expert on finishing techniques and quality, but even to my eye, the finishing is top-notch. Every element, from the prominent balance wheel bridges to the nearly hidden details between the base of the hands, is just fantastic.
I’m sharing simply because I enjoy them so much. GF really makes special pieces, and these ones are no exception to that general rule.
Bob
