Here is the pinnacle of haute horlogerie: a watch with 95% of its components crafted using hand tools. Creating a single unit requires 6,000 work hours (about three years!). This Greubel Forsey timepiece elevates traditional watchmaking to an entirely new level. It’s awe-inspiring. It stands unique in the history of elite timepieces due to a monumental human and technological journey.
All 272 components of the caliber and the 36 parts that make up the case were entirely handmade. This demanded an extremely high level of precision and meticulousness from the team, far beyond what is typical in mechanized production, necessitating an overhaul of the entire manufacturing process. Each craftsman had to be physically present and involved in various production stages and the nuances of each step.
And of course, there’s the tourbillon. It contains 69 components, with each screw requiring eight hours of labor to produce. The gold case measures 43.5 mm in diameter, and aside from a chapter ring for the small seconds hand, the watch has no dial, showcasing the magnificent caliber instead.
Only two units of this watch will be produced each year, and the traditional “Swiss Made” inscription is replaced with “Hand Made,” as it should be.
Bottom line: Three years for two watches per year.
Price: $800,000
