Greubel Forsey Nano Foudroyante EWT - Wow

[Ichiran]

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/ha...oudroyante-ewt

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"For the 20th Anniversary of Greubel Forsey, the brand is back with their 10th "Fundamental Invention:" the Nano Foudroyante EWT, and it's a doozy of a watch. If you know the brand, you'll know their inventions, and the "Invention Pieces" that have celebrated these achievements have often iterated on the tourbillon, and this is no exception. What all started with the 30º double tourbillon led us to this: an incredibly wearable monopusher chronograph (a flyback, no less, and their first chronograph) and their first-ever flying tourbillon.

This watch, in a 37.9mm by 10.49mm white gold case with tantalum bezel and display caseback ring, also features a constantly-running seconde foudroyante (or lightning seconds) that subdivides each second into six parts based on the 3Hz tourbillon cage. It's also directly tied to the tourbillon, sitting on top of the case that rotates once every 60 seconds while maintaining a vertical orientation. By tying directly to the oscillations of the tourbillon, Greubel Forsey has eliminated the number of extra components for the normal foudroyante drive train, keeping the movement small (31mm in diameter) and relatively low on parts (428 total).

Of course, there are limitations. The watch has a 24-hour power reserve with the chronograph running (they haven't shared the total power reserve without the chronograph activated). The other limitation, no pun intended, is that the incredibly expensive CHF 465,000 Nano Foudroyante EWT will only be made in 11 pieces. However, each piece will get all the hand-finishing that Greubel Forsey has been known for among collectors for a long time."

More of the "nanomechanics" and "nanojoule-scale" energy management in the video below.



My thoughts - this is to me what GF represents - technical prowess and highest hand-finishing, in a much wearable size no less. This is a very impressive watch and maybe one of best releases in 2024. I'm glad GF is moving in the right direction in the finishing department with the Balancier 3, Cadran and now this Nano Foudroyante (I counted at least 21-22 interior angles excluding carved wheels). I would love to own this one.