Greubel Forsey’s story is an outlier — today more than ever — for its ambition to push every aspect of watchmaking to as far as they can go, including and especially technical watchmaking. From the outset, the company set itself the challenge of reinventing the tourbillon to meaningfully address the various positions a watch assumes on the wrist. It has since pushed many traditional complications in new directions such as the perpetual calendar, grande sonnerie and most recently the chronograph. 

But more than that, this relentless pursuit of chronometric performance and technical innovation has always been matched, part for part, by an equally radical approach to movement architecture and finishing. Remarkably, it was only after 12 years that the company launched its first time-only watch, the Signature 1, in 2016, followed by the Balancier in 2017 and the Balancier Contemporain in 2019. Today, the company is marking the conclusion of this line with a final Balancier Contemporain in stainless steel, limited to 33 pieces.

Notably, the final edition is only the third watch in the history of Greubel Forsey to be produced in steel with the other two being the Signature 1, of which 33 pieces were made in steel in 2016, and the Balancier Asymétrique USA Limited Edition launched in 2017, which was limited to 11 pieces.

Looking back at the Balancier Contemporain

We are all familiar, and frankly, in awe of Greubel Forsey’s ultra-architectural take on watchmaking, especially those with multi-dimensional tourbillons. But some collectors who admire the brand’s exceptional depth in dial and movement design still wish for something they can wear every day. And that calls for a smaller watch. It took Greubel Forsey years, but it did answer the call.

No, the smallest watch from the brand is not the Balancier Convexe S2. Despite its wearable, wrist-hugging case design, that one still measures 41.5 millimetres. The smallest model is the Nano-Foudroyante EWT, at just 37.9mm wide. But in terms of uncomplicated watches, the smallest is the Balancier Contemporain, unveiled at SIHH in 2019. It measures just under 40 millimetres, with a diameter of 39.6 millimetres and a height of 12.25 millimetres which is similar in profile to a Rolex Daytona. It is highly wearable, though perhaps overshadowed by its more complex siblings.

Why it remains one of the lesser-known watches from the brand is hard to pin down. Because it is still, through and through, a Greubel Forsey, despite being a time-only watch. And really, this is where GF shines. How can you surpass a time-only watch in terms of beauty, excitement, and the cleanliness you can find on a dial?

The dial is built on multiple levels, with components like the power reserve, time display, and balance wheel arranged on different planes. Architecture? Absolutely. Every component is beautifully constructed. It’s a watch that looks stunning at first glance and continues to reveal more surprises the closer you look.

Take the power reserve indicator, for example. It is long and slim, like those found on old-school Breguet pocket watches. It is rare to see a modern watch with such classical proportions, and it is simply beautiful. And on the topic of hands, each one has a finely concave dome at the base, which gives it a real sense of presence and refinement.

And the finishing is just as impressive, including a large balance bridge that is entirely black polished. That kind of detail is typically reserved for tourbillons. In fact, not all tourbillon watches on the market receive this level of treatment. Even the frosting is done by hand, not sandblasted.

Because the movement is designed to maximise visuals on the front, there isn’t much to reveal on the back. Still, it is decorated in Greubel Forsey’s signature style, with relief-engraved inscriptions of the brand’s philosophies. Three extra-large gold chatons break up the surface, and together they create a view that is quite pleasing, even if it is not the typical caseback display.

Balancer Contemporain’s swan song is a sole blue-eyed beauty

Now, six years after the model was introduced, the brand is bidding farewell to it. But it is going out with a final edition, and it is a memorable one.

This final version of the Balancier Contemporain is limited to just 33 pieces, but rarity might be the least surprising thing about it. The real story lies in two other details. First, it is made of steel. For a brand known for precious and exotic materials, steel is exceptionally uncommon. Since Greubel Forsey was founded in 2004, only two models have been made in steel. This makes the Balancier Contemporain the third steel model in over two decades, which is a true rarity by any measure.

Second, it is the first and only Balancier Contemporain with a dark-coloured dial. Until now, all versions featured light tones, such as silver. The deep blue dial here changes the look completely. It makes the watch feel more compact and adds a sense of mystery and sporty elegance that fits perfectly with the brand’s ultra-modern yet luxurious style.

This may be the end of the Balancier Contemporain, but it is certainly not the end of small watches for the brand. There will surely be more compact models in the future, though when they will arrive remains to be seen. And for the very watch that started the idea of small Greubel Forsey timepieces, this final edition feels like a fitting farewell.

Tech Specs: Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain

Movement: Manual-winding Balancier Contemporain; 72 hours power reserve
Functions: Hours and minutes; small seconds; power reserve indicator
Case: 39.6 mm x 12.25 mm; stainless steel; water-resistant to 30m
Dial: Multi-level in gold; sunburst blue finish hour-ring; minute-circle with deep blue finish, engraved and white lacquer filled, polished bevel; small seconds, engraved and lacquered with polished bevel; power reserve, engraved and lacquered, hand matt lapped
Strap: Textured rubber strap with steel pin buckle
Limited edition: 33 pieces
Price: CHF 220,000 before taxes