Wartburg 311 » Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain

New: Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain in Stainless Steel



The final release of Greubel Forsey’s acclaimed Balancier watch is approaching. This latest model is housed in a stainless steel case with a gorgeous blue dial.

Greubel Forsey is proud to present the final version of the Balancier Contemporain, marking the finalization of this iconic movement. The watch is housed in a 39.6 mm stainless steel case – a material only used twice in Greubel Forsey’s history. This version will be limited to 33 pieces and will be manufactured and delivered exclusively in 2025. Once completed, the Balancier Contemporain movement will be permanently retired from production.

More than just a final version, this stainless steel watch is a statement of purpose – it is the rarest and most exclusive case material in the Atelier collection. Its presence is deliberate: a nod to the pure, restrained, resolute heritage of the Balancier Contemporain collection.

Compact and majestic

When it was launched, the Balancier Contemporain redefined expectations of what a watch could be – offering the full Greubel Forsey experience in a case measuring just 39.6 mm. This final edition is the continuation of that engineering and design heritage. Beneath a high-domed sapphire crystal, the gold dial reveals a rich interweaving of layers, textures and finishes. A sunburst blue hour circle frames the composition, while a deep blue minute circle and a sector-shaped indication for the small seconds and power reserve provide a sharp contrast and legibility. The generous dial draws the eye to the 12.6 mm diameter in-house balance wheel, suspended on a flat, black-polished gold bridge, creating visual depth and dramatic reflections.

The movement consists of 256 parts, each of which is hand-finished to the highest standards. The bridges are made of nickel silver, hand-brushed and embellished, with perfectly polished bevels and countersunk holes, straight-grained sides and a fine blue treatment unique to this watch. The balance bridge is made of flat black polished steel – one of the most demanding finishes in haute horlogerie – with hand-polished bevels that reflect the light beautifully. The balance itself is mounted on a flat black polished gold plate, whose surface is exquisite and both technical and architectural.

On the side of the movement, the black polished gold plate is engraved in relief with Greubel Forsey’s core values ​​– invisible to the wearer, but no less meticulously crafted. The olive-shaped arched gem is set in a gold chaton whose grooves are hand-polished to catch the light at just the right angle. Every component, visible or not, is treated with the same meticulous care – as if each one could be a miniature work of art in its own right.

Ending – A new beginning

This is the last watch to be equipped with the Balancier Contemporain movement, and the first to mark a new direction. With this final edition, Greubel Forsey opens a new chapter focused on small-diameter watches. In the coming years, this creativity will continue to develop, exploring new dimensions of mechanical expression, proportion and elegance without compromise.

The Balancier Contemporain in stainless steel is a clear conclusion and a confident beginning.

Greubel Forsey Balance Contemporain Stainless Steel Specifications
Balancier Contemporain * Made of stainless steel * Limited edition * Manually wound movement * Four-hand timepiece • Hours and minutes • Small seconds • Power reserve • Greubel Forsey balance wheel system • Stop mechanism

Movement

Dimensions of movement • Diameter: 32.40 mm • Thickness: 9.20 mm

Number of parts • Movement: 256 parts

Number of jewels • 33 • Olive-shaped arched jewels set in yellow gold Chronograph power reserve • 72 hours

Barrels • Two fast-rotating barrels in series (3.2 hours per revolution), one of which is equipped with a sliding spring to avoid overstretching • Barrel with relief “Greubel Forsey” inscription

Balance • Internal variable inertia with 6 gold mean time screws (12.60 mm diameter) • Stopping balance activated by crown

Frequency • 21,600 beats/hour

Balance spring• Cross-groove terminal curve • Geneva studs

Bridges and mainplate• Nickel silver, brushed and speckled, with polished bevels and countersunk, straight-grained sides, blued finish • Flat black polished steel balance bridge, polished bevels and countersunk, straight-grained sides • Flat black polished gold plate below the balance

Sides of the movement• Flat black polished gold bridges with embossed text, polished bevels and countersunk, straight-grained sides and visible gold chatons • Central gold bridge, "GF" engraved with limited edition number

Gear train• Involute scalloped teeth

Displays• Hours and minutes • Small seconds • Sector dial 72 hours power reserve

External

Case• Stainless steel with high domed synthetic sapphire crystal • Hand-polished bezel with hand-grained straight-grained case sides • Three-dimensional variable geometry lugs • Transparent caseback with high domed synthetic sapphire crystal • Hand-punched bottom with raised polished engraving of the words “Balancier” and “Greubel Forsey” • Gold safety screws

Case dimensions • Diameter: 39.60 mm • Height: 12.25 mm

Case water resistance • Water-resistant to 3atm – 30m – 100ft (NIHS 92-20/SN ISO 22810:2010)

Crown • Stainless steel with black lacquered GF logo

Dial • Multi-layered gold dial • Sunburst blue-finished hour circle with opening for viewing the balance wheel, dark blue-finished minute circle, engraved and filled with white lacquer, polished bevels • Small seconds, engraved and painted, polished bevels • Power reserve, engraved and painted, hand-finished matte finish

Hands • Hours, minutes, small seconds and power reserve indicators in polished steel with hand-polished countersunk holes

Strap and buckle • Hand-sewn textured rubber • Stainless steel pin buckle, engraved with GF logo