To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first watch produced, the celebrated Swiss brand Greubel Forsey has unveiled an extraordinary model: the Nano Foudroyante EWT. This masterpiece not only embodies the philosophy of the maison, but introduces one of the most significant technical innovations in the history of watchmaking: the tenth patented invention using nanojoule-scale energy management. A project that combines traditional craftsmanship and technological innovation, taking Greubel Forsey once again to the pinnacle of haute horlogerie.
A brand that embodies innovation
Founded in the late 1990s, Greubel Forsey immediately established itself as a benchmark for haute horlogerie, thanks to a visionary and uncompromising approach. The house is known for its maniacal attention to detail, combined with its ability to innovate in an industry that bases its prestige on technical and craftsmanship excellence. From its first patent in 2004 to the present, the brand has developed ten fundamental inventions that have redefined the concept of mechanical complication, achieving milestones never seen before.
Each Greubel Forsey watch is a unique piece: made and finished entirely by hand, it reflects the ultimate in personalization and exclusivity. This process, which takes months of work for each individual piece, is a guarantee of uniqueness and absolute quality, confirming the maison as a benchmark in the luxury watchmaking niche.
The compact design of the Nano Foudroyante EWT
The Nano Foudroyante EWT is an emblematic example of Greubel Forsey’s ability to combine aesthetics, technical precision and innovation. Despite its numerous complications such as flyback chronograph, flying tourbillon and Foudroyante seconds, the case, made of tantalum and white gold, has surprisingly small dimensions for a watch with so many features: the diameter is only 37.9 mm, while the thickness stands at 10.49 mm. These numbers are extraordinary considering the complexity of the movement and the amount of integrated functions.
The watch is also a masterpiece in terms of its dial, which balances elegance and functionality to perfection. At 6 o’clock we find a large flying tourbillon, the distinctive symbol of the model, above which is housed a small dial displaying the Foudroyante complication. On the left side, at 8 o’clock, we notice an indicator showing the small seconds, while at 9 o’clock finds space for the chronograph minute counter.
The EWT Nano Foudroyante complication: tradition and innovation
Among the most fascinating watchmaking complications is surely the Foudroyante system, which allows fractions of a second to be measured. Traditionally, this function is found only in the most complex chronographs, where a hand moves rapidly across the dial, stopping at regular intervals (1/10th or 1/8th of a second).
In the Nano Foudroyante EWT, this complication is taken to a whole new level through miniaturization and optimized energy management. The small Foudroyante hand makes one complete revolution every second, stopping 6 times per revolution, thanks to a balance wheel that oscillates at 3 Hz and produces 2 beats per second. This extreme precision not only enhances the beauty of the movement, but also demonstrates the house’s commitment to technical innovation.
The maison’s first flying tourbillon above the Nano Foudroyante EWT
The flying tourbillon, strategically placed at 6 o’clock, is the beating heart of the watch. This tourbillon is not only a functional element, but also an aesthetic one: it is designed to capture and reflect light, creating a spectacular visual effect. The Foudroyante complication, positioned above the tourbillon, is a perfect example of technical and artistic integration: while the tourbillon rotates slowly to compensate for the effects of gravity, the Foudroyante seconds hand moves rapidly, creating a dynamic contrast.
The nanomechanics of Nano Foudroyante EWT: less is more
The real secret of the Nano Foudroyante EWT lies in its hand-wound movement and its energy management. Through the application of nanomechanics, Greubel Forsey has managed to drastically reduce the energy consumption of the Foudroyante mechanism. Traditionally, this complication consumes about 30 microjoules per jump, but in the Nano Foudroyante the consumption has been reduced to only 16 microjoules. This means a reduction of a factor of 1,800 compared to traditional models.
This was achieved through a completely new approach: the balance wheel is directly connected to low-inertia wheels, eliminating the need for a complex gear train. The consequence is a 90% reduction in the volume of the mechanism, while maintaining the same precision and reliability.
Despite the numerous complications, mentioned at the beginning of the article, the movement consists of 428 components, a surprisingly low number for a watch of this complexity. This optimization demonstrates Greubel Forsey’s commitment to pushing the limits of traditional watchmaking.
Price and availability
This masterpiece of art and precision is available in 11 examples, with a price tag of CHF 465,000. Unfortunately, all the examples produced have already been delivered, so you can only admire this masterpiece in photos, unless you are among the lucky eleven to have already purchased it.
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