“The need achieved is good to the soul” – Proverbs 13:19
Mine finally: the Greubel Forsey Invention Piece 1 in purple gold
Appears it wasn’t that way back (however in actuality, it was near a 12 months in the past) that I wrote my first “Objects of Want” article right here at Quill & Pad on the subject of the watches of Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey (learn Objects Of Want: Greubel Forsey.)
In that article, I set out my main causes for admiring these two males and their work, but additionally bemoaned the “truth” that given the costs of their watches I used to be unlikely to have the ability to purchase any of those I actually lusted after anytime quickly.
My commentary on the time was: “Go huge or go house . . . in my case, we’re speaking Invention Piece, Double Tourbillon Approach, or GMT, any of which might require a number of years of hardcore saving or the liquidation of a lot of my present assortment.”
Motion element: The Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon, Invention Quantity One
Why I Purchased It (Now)
So why and the way do I now personal the Greubel Forsey Invention Piece 1 you see right here?
- The ingredient of shock: final August, I used to be in Monterey for the annual automotive “holy week” (learn Pebble Seashore Basic Automotive Week 2014: The Fanatic Collector Goes To Automotive Heaven) and occurred to run into my pleasant pre-owned watch seller, close to the ocean at twilight. He solely had a minute to speak, however throughout that point pulled up his sleeve to disclose the watch you see pictured right here. As soon as I noticed it within the stunning pink mild of the Pacific sundown, I used to be hooked.
Greubel Forsey Invention Piece 1 on the wrist in pure mild
- Analysis issues: for the reason that time of the Objects of Want article, I had been doing my studying and had discovered that the Invention Piece 1 is each Robert Greubel’s each day wearer and Stephen Forsey’s favourite watch. Ok for them, adequate for me!
- Possible suspect: had the piece in query been considered one of GF’s “less complicated” watches (if there’s such a factor) I may need handed. However the Invention Piece 1 ticked all the packing containers that I used to be in search of in a GF watch, from deep dimensionality to multi-axis tourbillon expertise to limited-edition rarity.
Love at first sight: Greubel Forsey Invention Piece 1
Falling in love was simple; attending to the altar required some sacrifices, together with deciding to promote three core items from my assortment to lift the majority of the wanted funds. Quill & Pad’s editor-in-chief Elizabeth Doerr even went as far as to name one of many gross sales a “tragedy!” I do should say that each time that watch’s new proprietor (a private good friend and famous watch man) Instagrams a photograph of it I really feel a bit of twinge; however promoting to purchase is a part of the amassing life.
Well worth the sacrifice: Greubel Forsey Invention Piece 1
Why I adore it
The place to start? Slightly than trying a complete technical assessment, I’ll merely point out a couple of issues about this watch that basically make me adore it.
- Power in quantity. Superficial? Maybe, however I don’t care. This watch relies on the primary invention that put Greubel Forsey on the map. The primary of the Invention Items, my private watch is no 1 of the eleven made in purple gold.
We’re primary: Greubel Forsey Invention Piece 1
- That bridge: the lengthy, black polished tourbillon bridge spanning the left aspect of the face of the watch is spectacular in pictures and jaw-dropping in particular person. The bridge itself is completed by the watchmaker who assembles the watch from A to Z; as you’ll be able to think about, getting a bit that lengthy to be each completely flat and completely polished is a fragile operation certainly.
Motion element highlighting the black polished tourbillon bridge
- These phrases. I notice that not everyone seems to be a fan of the relief-engraved “message to the proprietor” that Greubel Forsey incorporates into lots of its watch designs, however I don’t assume I’d wish to personal one of many model’s watches that didn’t have this function. Exhibiting it to you is a little bit of a fragile factor, as Stephen routinely asks that the inscriptions not be reproduced in full on-line, so I gained’t present all (and even most) of it, however right here’s a pattern.
Motion element of the Greubel Forsey Invention Piece 1 highlighting the black polished tourbillon bridge
You’ll hear Stephen Forsey say that every ending alternative is “utterly integral with the entire of the timepiece” and that with particular reference to the Invention Piece 1, every alternative was thought out “from the very starting.”
And it reveals. One instance that Stephen identified to me once we not too long ago met was the pair of concentric white gold rings that include the hour and minute numerals – numerous ending choices had been tried, however finally solely the easy frosting we see on the completed product proved efficient in permitting us to concentrate on the “invention” that’s centered inside the rings.
Each little factor simply so: layers, shapes, and textures of the Greubel Forsey Invention Piece 1
- Meet the maker, need the watch, I usually say. Or on this case, meet the finisher, love the watch! Throughout my go to to Greubel Forsey in January of this 12 months, I had the pleasant expertise of assembly Séverine Vitali, the ending division chief and technician who personally completed my watch. The pure emotion of her reunion with “her” watch was one thing I’ll keep in mind for a while to return.
Coming house: assembly Greubel Forsey grasp finisher Séverine Vitali
- Go straight to the supply: there’s nothing fairly like seeing the place your watch was made, and a go to to the Greubel Forsey atelier is like no different with open entry to the folks and strategies behind the watches. And for me, an extra deal with was the big mural of the No 1 Invention Piece 1 on the finish of the atrium.
The creator, his Invention Piece No 1, and the mural within the Greubel Forsey workshop
- The brand, sure, the brand! Not the big, stylized “GF” of most of the home’s different items; merely the names of the 2 creators in a easy font. Little issues do matter.
Simply the names, ma’am: refined model brand on the Greubel Forsey Invention Piece 1
- Pure Greubel Forsey: deep dimensionality, multi-axis tourbillon, engraved inscription, audacious feats of ending – I cringe each time I see the phrases “DNA” or “iconic” in a watch assessment, however I’ll say that for me this watch represents the easiest of all issues Greubel Forsey expressing the sentiment of these two phrases.
It’s robust to mistake the attribute Greubel Forsey look on the Invention Piece 1
Any enhancements?
As for the watch itself, I’m loath to provide you with any important adjustments, and even massive nits, to name out. My specific instance has a couple of beauty blemishes that you simply’d anticipate on a seven-year-old watch, however my expectation is that these will vanish when I’ve it serviced someday quickly.
Within the excellent world, this watch would have include the uber-cool technical butterfly folding buckle that’s customary with the Double Tourbillon Approach. And if I’ve to nitpick, the darkest brown customary GF strap continues to be too mild in colour for me. However these are minor issues certainly (and par for the course for obsessive sorts like myself).
One last item, although: I’ve mentioned it earlier than, and I’ll say it once more – they’ve gotta work on these names for the completely different watch fashions!
If (like Stephen and Robert) your focus is on the sequence of innovations they designed to enhance timekeeping, it makes excellent sense to arrange the product line and title the watches primarily based on the related improvements.
For anybody besides devotees, nevertheless, it will probably get very complicated in a short time. Attempt to clarify to somebody that Invention Piece 1 is a double tourbillon; Invention Piece 2 is a quadruple tourbillon however was truly launched third, not second; and Invention Piece 3, which was truly launched second, has a single tourbillon.
Don’t fear in regards to the names: simply take pleasure in Greubel Forsey’s Invention Piece 1
Is it for you?
I purchased it, however is that this one best for you? You would possibly wish to contemplate it if:
- The design language of Greubel Forsey watches actually speaks to you.
- You perceive why the Greubel Forsey philosophy of ending perfection mixed with modern expertise, when utilized to extraordinarily small manufacturing numbers, would possibly simply justify the excessive costs concerned.
- You recognize the Invention Piece strategy to highlighting the technical developments that in different watches within the line are extra behind the scenes.
- Not unimportantly, you’ll be able to dedicate the wanted funds with out taking undue dangers along with your funds, or are keen to promote different treasured items to remain inside your watch funds.
Particulars that rely: sinuous lugs and engraved crown on the Greubel Forsey Invention Piece 1
However, it is best to most likely move if:
- You simply don’t see what all of the fuss is about with these watches or the worth/value equation doesn’t make sense for you.
- You might have extra conventional tastes for watch look or don’t like dial-side asymmetry.
- Your amassing mode is extra oriented towards proudly owning a broad number of items slightly than consolidating to a smaller variety of extra worthwhile watches.
- You wouldn’t put on the look ahead to worry of dinging it (do have a look at Why You Can’t Afford To Purchase Your Watch If You Can’t Afford To Break It).
Whereas I’m hoping this gained’t be my solely alternative to purchase a watch of this worth, it might be; by which case I couldn’t be extra happy with my alternative!
Parting shot: the primary basic invention writ massive
Fast Info Greubel Forsey Invention Piece 1
Case: purple gold, white gold, or platinum; 43.5 x 16.6 mm
Motion: handbook winding Caliber GF02N with inside one-minute tourbillon inclined at 30 levels and outer four-minute tourbillon; 72-hour energy reserve from two mainspring barrels; frequency 21,600 vibrations per hour
Limitation: 11 items every in rose and white gold and platinum
Capabilities: hours, minutes, seconds; energy reserve show
Worth: $595,000 unique retail value; most up-to-date out there public sale value $331,000 (2010)
* This text was first printed June 10, 2015 at Why I Purchased It: Greubel Forsey Invention Piece 1.
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