Introducing The Last Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain

The Balancier Contemporain is one of Greubel Forsey's most successful models from their more classically designed collection. Like all of GF's offerings, it's wonderfully conceived, immaculately constructed, and incredibly expensive. And now, it's almost gone. The Balancier Contemporain is getting one final ride with a 33-piece stainless steel limited edition before the watch is discontinued forever.

When the Balancier Contemporain was released in 2019, it satisfied many fans (and critics) by taking the high horological and finishing standards of Greubel Forsey and casing it in a smaller 39.6mm by 12.25mm package. That size remains the same, but the watch is now done in the rarest material for GF: stainless steel. The hour and minute displays feature a sunburst blue finish, with deeper blue tracks surrounding each, while the multi-level dial is crafted in gold with a blue finish. The bridges are made of nickel silver, which are frosted and spotted by hand. They are complemented by perfectly polished bevels and countersinks, as well as straight-grained flanks. The large 12.6mm in-house balance wheel has a black-polished stainless steel bridge with hand-polished bevels, and the balance wheel is mounted above a flat black-polished gold plate that acts as a mirror.

The rear of the watch displays less of the movement than most brands would typically show. Instead, there's a black-polished gold plate engraved in relief with the fundamental values of Greubel Forsey. There are also three olive-domed jewels, set in gold chatons, with hand-polished countersinks. The watch is available now, with all examples to be built and delivered exclusively in 2025, for CHF 220,000.

Greubel Forsey has been making a lot of big moves lately, a part of what seems to be a new strategy focusing on more unique and (even further) limited pieces for a brand already making a minimal number of very, very nice watches per year. For example, the brand has discontinued its 43.5mm GMT Balancier Convexe and introduced a new version in a smaller case. They also recently launched (though purposefully without any communication) a new Double Balancier Convexe in a blue sapphire case, limited to three pieces. In the press release for the watch, the brand has stated that releases over the coming years will focus on watches with smaller diameters. So, while it's time to say goodbye to the Balancier Contemporain, there are a bunch of interesting new things in the works.

It seems that feedback on Greubel Forsey is split between those like me who can't afford the watches and those who can. Some people really love the Convexe pieces because of their sporty design, while others, like me, seem to prefer the more traditional line. I think this is really nice and celebrates the watchmaking and finishing that Greubel Forsey is great at. The blue dial is a bit bold for me, but it makes for a good send-off to the watch.

Brand: Greubel Forsey
Model: Balancier Contemporain Final Edition

Diameter: 39.6mm
Thickness: 12.25mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Dial Color: Multi-level in gold with 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
Lume: None
Water Resistance: 30m
Strap/Bracelet: Hand-sewn textured rubber, stainless steel pin buckle, engraved GF logo

Caliber: Balancier Contemporain
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, power reserve
Diameter: 32.4mm
Thickness: 9.2mm
Power Reserve: 72 hours
Winding: Manual
Frequency: 21'600 vibrations/hour
Jewels: 33 olived-domed jewels in gold chatons
Chronometer Certified: No
Additional Details: In-house variable-inertia with six gold mean-time screws (12.60mm diameter); 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

Price: CHF 220,000
Availability: Now
Limited Edition: Yes, 33 pieces, built and delivered exclusively in 2025

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