Greubel Forsey continues to push the boundaries of contemporary haute horlogerie with the Tourbillon 24 Secondes Architecture, a timepiece that treats the movement itself as an architectural sculpture. The creation takes the brand's signature 24-second tourbillon and places it within an unconventional, open and layered construction designed to reveal the mechanism from virtually every angle.
The watch features a distinctive convex, conical case architecture combining titanium and sapphire. Measuring 45.50mm across the bezel and 16.80mm thick, the case uses sapphire extensively, including a crystal ring that surrounds the caseband. This allows the movement to remain visible not only from the dial side and caseback, but also around the sides of the watch.
At the centre of the design is the 25-degree inclined Tourbillon 24 Secondes, positioned at 6 o'clock. Unlike a conventional tourbillon, its cage completes one full rotation every 24 seconds, using rapid rotation and inclination to address the effects of gravity on the regulating organ. Greubel Forsey developed specialised inclined gearing and an ultra-light tourbillon cage to withstand the mechanical demands created by this high-speed system.
The hand-wound movement consists of 354 components, arranged across multiple three-dimensional planes. Rather than hiding the mechanism beneath a traditional dial, Greubel Forsey leaves the architecture exposed, creating a visual composition of bridges, wheels, gears and the suspended tourbillon.
Power comes from three coaxial, fast-rotating barrels connected in series, delivering an impressive 90-hour chronometric power reserve. A power-reserve indicator positioned on the dial side allows the wearer to monitor the remaining operating time. The movement beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour, or 3 Hz.
The watch also features hours, minutes and small seconds, alongside an indication of the tourbillon's rotation. Its openworked titanium components receive extensive hand finishing, including frosting, polished bevels and polished surfaces, reinforcing the architectural character of the movement.
Greubel Forsey originally announced an extremely limited production schedule for the Architecture, with 11 pieces produced initially and further annual production planned for subsequent years. The current official specification lists the model as limited to 11 timepieces.
The Tourbillon 24 Secondes Architecture is therefore less a traditional watch and more a miniature mechanical structure—one where transparency, three-dimensional construction and the rapid movement of the tourbillon become the central elements of the design.
