New Greubel Balancier 3

Dec 07, 2023,16:30 PM
 

Their more affordable version of the Balancier. I had the chance to try a few of the Balancier models at an AD in CDMX recently and was really wowed by them in person. The curved crystals are very very cool and they wear nicely.


When I did a bit more research on WPS and some other places though, it seems like they've cut back on a lot of the super high level details that they are known for with this series. 

Any thoughts? 

Honestly if these end up settling low enough 2nd hand I think I might grab one anyways. I really love the curved crystal + how they wear.




Pic is from Monochrome


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Having spoken to a person at GF,

 
By: Spangles - Dr. Tabby : December 7th, 2023-16:58
They said that GF is very careful to maintain its standards of finishing. As m2 says, maybe the set up is simpler, but I think we'll see what's done is kept to a high level. We'll evaluate as pieces become available, should be fun!

Haha valid. Well, not $400k+ like the other watches

 
By: m2 : December 7th, 2023-17:12
They lose quite a bit of value second hand too. I’m sure these will be like 100 - 120 2nd hand. Still not cheap by any means though lol

I'm waiting for the bubble to burst...

 
By: mdg : December 7th, 2023-18:35
...so I can buy something halfway decent for a 'mere' $50k (peanuts, I know) : )

Fashion. Trend.

 
By: Jay (Eire) : December 8th, 2023-06:49
And probably still some element of them being a very easy means of avoiding currency controls.

Looks good in the picture

 
By: cazalea : December 7th, 2023-17:48
I like the simpler design and that big arm reaching down to the second hand looks cool. However, my first impression when seeing the picture was not GF but Grönefeld. Cazalea

On one hand I like the look of this one better then the previous versions.

 
By: als1678 : December 7th, 2023-17:50
On the other hand - there are way too many variations which spells trouble - the first balancier with the engraved bezel, then the smoothe bezel version, then various materials, then smaller sizes, now this ... Also despite the simplifications the price i... 

Greubel is losing its soul

 
By: Cozmopak : December 7th, 2023-18:20
The inclined balance was the one thing that made this watch special. Now, it's just a very overpriced time-only watch, with questionable aesthetics. This is a huge miss in my book. The original balancier already trades well below retail for this new one, ... 

Not all of the older models have the engraving

 
By: Cozmopak : December 8th, 2023-14:23
But yeah, that’s just part of the aesthetics. Polarizing for sure. You either like it or you don’t. As for the size, the older ones packed in so much into the movements, the sizes really are explainable.

Size...OK...

 
By: mdg : December 8th, 2023-17:41
...if there is a lot going on. But even with my reasonably large wrist, the one I saw in person was just too much.

They look incredible in person...

 
By: mdg : December 8th, 2023-22:47
...and have whatever that special something is that make you notice them from afar...

I have medium-sized wrists, tried on 'inclined' balancier

 
By: chk : October 7th, 2024-11:58
With smooth bezel, and thought the level of comfort afforded to the wearer is brilliant. That piece changed my view of GF in a positive direction. I think tt was the S2 Convexe, but don't remember anymore. Chk

Agreed and with the limited outputs early on I see safe investments of those fortunate to get.

 
By: doubleup : December 23rd, 2023-02:42
Have seen other brands constantly say “the early pieces” when constituting superior quality or good old days. GF is the king in my book.. at leas the early pieces back in the good old days

I haven't seen any GF in person yet, but initially I like this one from the pictures

 
By: 1WatchMan : December 7th, 2023-19:07
Totally out of my range for a time-only and don't really love the "lugs" (from the pictures), but I'm sure that it looks good on the wrist.

If I want to pay top dollars for a watch, finishing and time-only, even plus power reserve is not enough. I love to have some grander complications.

 
By: Clueless_Collector : December 7th, 2023-19:49
I know some collectors are treating finishings like picasso / van gogh paint brushes, not me....I still feel if I hire an experienced watch maker, just to focus, do nothing else, just to polish, I can get similar end results.

Could handle some modern GFs and also these «entry level» ones. Was underwhelmed

 
By: hora12reborn : December 7th, 2023-19:55
by the finishing, the lack of visibility of the movement but overwhelmed by the price and the size. There are so many incredibly qualitative watches out there at much lower price points.

IMHO these are like Porsche SUVs, not for me but great if it helps GF survive

 
By: Fastwong : December 7th, 2023-19:57
A Cayenne turbo is a monster of an SUV, I'd happily daily one of those but probably not with my own money and it won't ever be as special to me as a Porsche sports car. The GF sports watches are awesome but the pice is challenging and I think the classic ... 

Thanks again for your post in the other thread I had made

 
By: m2 : December 7th, 2023-20:07
Really helpful and killed my want for the watch unless secondary prices drop a ton. Now I know who to PM when my finger is itchy

Lol, I don't want to step on anyone's watch wants!

 
By: Fastwong : December 7th, 2023-21:25
But yeah, they are screwing the collectors with so much supply. I can't believe after all the other convexe watches they announced this year and haven't delivered they dropped ANOTHER 176 watches. With the bubble bursting this is going to hurt. I still pr... 

Funny, I was just in the Dubai Mall and it is almost like claiming I saw bigfoot since I didn't take a picture but I could swear I saw a sapphire double balancier convexe at Seddiqi.

 
By: Fastwong : January 15th, 2024-19:37
Limited run of like 7 or 11 I think. I think all the convexe watches are also carrying "1 of XX" numbers plates instead of individually numbered watches which seems shady since then they can pull a Ferrari and really produce whatever they feel like withou... 

I prefer the older “original” Greubel Forsey timepieces.

 
By: Chicolini : December 7th, 2023-20:22
The level of finishing is superb AND the level of INTRIGUE is very high. I think the new management is clearly going a new direction. I believe Stephen Forsey now has less of a role and I miss him being there. ...  

I could not agree with you more

 
By: Cozmopak : December 7th, 2023-20:28
And now these older Greubels can be had for increasingly attractive prices. The new stuff just leaves me so cold

100%

 
By: m2 : December 7th, 2023-21:06
My favorite is the invention piece. Pic from Gary G. I am a couple hundred thousand short though lol. 😆 ...  

Sounds like Robert and Stephen are OUT 😢 Was just watching a WB interview from Dubai WW and when asked about Robert's and Stephen's roles in the new Tourbillon Cardan Calce made a yuge dodge

 
By: Fastwong : December 9th, 2023-19:13
I was wondering if the Tourbillon Cardon might be a last work from the OG Greubel and Forsey since it was an actual new movement unlike all the other releases post Calce which have been repackaging but this is a product from the "management team" that has... 

First comment - hi everyone!

 
By: Unbalancewheel : December 8th, 2023-13:28
I was recently invited to visit the GF manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds. I too was concerned about a potential decline in quality of their decoration. I was insured by the account managers leading the tour and reassured by watching the decoration team wor...  

Scenery

 
By: Artago : April 13th, 2024-08:43
Like a country house, the property/estate is a combination of the houses, the interior, the gardens/park and the scenery, and removing either element could change your experience dramatically regardless of the quality of what remains unchanged. Place the ... 

Bump

 
By: m2 : October 1st, 2024-12:50
Anyone handle the balancier 3 yet? I don’t like that they got rid of the inclined balance but one of my favorite dealers has two that are used in stock and I think his pricing will be a lot more reasonable than sticker. Kinda tempted
By: MDT : October 3rd, 2024-14:21
I think your fav dealer is my same fav dealer too, as have seen photos of one that looked great. Hope you wind up with it.