Sure, everyone pays attention when Jay-Z is spotted rocking a Richard Mille, the same way that the new Patek Philippe Nautilus can sell for more than ten times its retail price. However, if you’re looking for the real 800-pound gorilla in the world of traditionally made, ultra-complicated sports watches, Greubel Forsey is a name you should commit to memory. The latest release from the La Chaux-de-Fonds-based watchmaker, in the Greubel Forsey Balancier S², might be their most distilled expression yet.
While Greubel Forsey has been manufacturing some of the worlds finest watches since 2004, it was only two years ago that the brand first released a proper sports watch. The GMT Sport might have been their first timepiece with 100m of water resistance, but Greubel Forsey has shown its adaptability by creating sportier, more robust timepieces that can impress even the most seasoned collectors.
The new Greubel Forsey Balancier S² features a large, but lightweight titanium case, with a matching integrated titanium bracelet. The 46.5mm case is relatively thick, standing 15.7mm tall, but would likely wear significantly smaller thanks to the caseback of the watch being curved to match the contour of your wrist.
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Compared to its predecessor, the Balancier S, the S² is a carefully refined distillation of the same intention, arguably executed more cleanly. The dial is plainer, leaning into the form-following-function aesthetic that all good tool watches embody, simply showing the time, running seconds and power reserve indicator.
Also exposed on the dial side of the watch is the 30° inclined Greubel Forsey balance wheel, which has become something of a signature for the brand. As you would expect from Greubel Forsey, the entire watch, but specifically the movement, has been executed with a genuinely impressive level of finishing.
In what has to be one of the best contemporary examples of traditional watchmaking methods, blended with a design that is both unapologetically modern and distinct, Greubel Forsey continues to slip quietly under the radar of most enthusiasts. However, those who know about the relatively young manufacturer, know it to be one of the heaviest hitters in the game. The Greubel Forsey Balancier S² arrives with an RRP of CHF205,000 on a rubber strap and CHF245,000 on a titanium bracelet.
