New Release: Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain in Stainless Steel, the Final Edition
by Ian Skellern
I’ve been a Greubel Forsey fan boy since the brand launched back in 2004, but my appreciation for the brand’s beautifully executed complications was always purely platonic.
It wasn’t just that the prices were way out of my league – I could always dream I won the Lotto – but that even if money was no object, Greublel Forsey’s watches were just too big for my small wrists.
Until the Balancier Contemporain, the most wearable Greublel Forsey was the Signature 1, coming in at a svelte (for Greublel Forsey) 41.4 mm. That was a better size for me, but still a bit too big. The Balancier Contemporain on the other hand came in sub-40 mm (39.6 mm) and fit like a dream.
Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain in Stainless Steel on the wrist
Now with this final edition of 33 pieces in stainless steel, it’s not just the size that is perfect, the deep blue dials and top movement plate are sensational.
From the press release:
A defining final edition
Greubel Forsey presents the final edition of the Balancier Contemporain, marking the definitive conclusion of this iconic caliber. This timepiece is housed in a 39.6 mm stainless steel case – a material that has only been used twice before in the history of the Atelier.
Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain in Stainless Steel
Limited to just 33 timepieces, this edition will be built and delivered exclusively in 2025. Once complete, the Balancier Contemporain caliber will be permanently retired and will never made again.
More than a final edition, this stainless steel interpretation is a statement of purpose – it is the rarest and most exclusive case material in the Atelier’s repertoire. Its presence here is deliberate: to honor the legacy of the Balancier.
Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain in Stainless Steel on the wrist
Compact, yet monumental
When it was introduced, the Balancier Contemporain redefined expectations – delivering the full Greubel Forsey experience in just 39.6mm. This final edition preserves that feat of engineering and design. Under its high-domed sapphire crystal, the gold dial reveals a rich interplay of levels, textures, and finishes.
Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain in Stainless Steel
A sunburst blue hour-ring frames the composition, while a deep blue minute-circle and sectorial indications for the small seconds and power reserve create both contrast and clarity.
Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain in Stainless Steel dial close-up
A large visual opening draws the eye to the in-house 12.6mm balance wheel, suspended above a flat, black-polished gold plate that provides visual depth and dramatic reflection.
Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain in Stainless Steel
The movement is composed of 256 parts, each hand-finished to the highest standard. The bridges are in nickel silver, frosted and spotted by hand, with perfectly polished bevels and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, and a subtle blue treatment unique to this edition.
Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain in Stainless Steel dial close-up
The balance wheel bridge is flat black polished steel – one of the most demanding finishes in haute horlogerie – with hand-polished bevels that reflect light beautifully.
The balance wheel itself is mounted above a flat black-polished gold plate, a surface so refined it becomes both technical and architectural.
Back of the Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain in Stainless Steel
On the movement side, a black-polished gold plate is engraved in relief with the fundamental values of Greubel Forsey – invisible to the wearer, yet finished with the same uncompromising care. Olive-domed jewels are set in gold chatons, with hand-polished countersinks that catch the light at just the right angle.
Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain in Stainless Steel
Every component, visible or not, is treated with the same reverence – as if each part could stand on its own as a miniature work of art.
A closing statement – and a new beginning
This is the last timepiece to carry the Balancier Contemporain caliber – but it is also the first to signal a new direction. With this final edition, Greubel Forsey opens a new chapter focused on small-diameter timepieces.
Over the coming years, this creative momentum will continue to build, exploring new dimensions of mechanical expression, proportion, and elegance – all without compromise.
Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain in Stainless Steel on the wrist
The Balancier Contemporain in stainless steel is a definitive conclusion – and a confident beginning.
For more information, please visit https://greubelforsey.com/en/watches/balancier-contemporain
Quick facts: Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain in stainless steel
Key features: limited edition of 33 pieces; hand-wound movement; hours minutes, small seconds, power-reserve; Greubel Forsey balance wheel system with stop balance, 39.6 mm diameter
Movement
Dimensions: 32.40mm diameter x 9.20mm high
Number of parts: 256 parts (movement only)
Number of jewels: 33, olive-domed jewels in gold chatons
Chronometric power reserve: 72 hours
Barrels: two series-coupled fast rotating barrels (1 turn in 3.2 hours), one of which is equipped with a slipping spring to avoid excess tension, barrel with relief engraving “Greubel Forsey”
Balance wheel: in-house variable-inertia with 6 gold mean-time screws (12.60mm diameter), stop balance activated by crown
Frequency: 3 Hz/ 21’600 VpH
Balance spring: Phillips terminal curve, Geneva-style stud
Bridges and main plates: nickel silver, frosted and spotted with polished beveling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, blue treatment, flat black polished steel balance wheel bridge, polished beveling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, flat black polished gold plate under the balance wheel
Movement side: flat black polished gold plate with relief engraved text, polished beveling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks with apparent gold chatons, central gold plate, “GF” engraved with the limitation number
Gearing: involute circle profile
Displays: hours and minutes, small seconds, 72-hours power reserve on a sector dial
Exterior case: stainless steel with high domed synthetic sapphire crystal, hand-polished bezel, caseband with hand-finished straight-graining, three-dimensional, variable geometry-shaped lugs, transparent back with high domed synthetic sapphire crystal, raised polished engraving “Balancier” and “Greubel Forsey” on a hand-punched background, gold security screws
Case dimensions: 39.60 mm diameter x 12.25 mm high
Water resistance: 3atm – 30m – 100ft (standard NIHS 92-20/SN ISO 22810:2010)
Crown: stainless steel with engraved and black lacquered GF logo
Dial: multi-level in gold, sunburst blue finish hour-ring with a visual opening for the balance wheel, 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
Hands: hours, minutes, small seconds and power-reserve in polished steel, hand-polished countersinks
Strap and clasp: hand-sewn textured rubber, stainless steel pin buckle, engraved GF logo
Limitation: 33 pieces
Price: 220,000 Swiss francs (excluding taxes)
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