Greubel Forsey’s very successful Balancier has come to its final run. And this latest addition is executed in a stainless steel case, with a gorgeous blue dial.
Press Release information with commentary in italics.
New: Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain in Stainless Steel
The Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain in Stainless Steel retails at CHF 220,000.
Commentary
We covered the Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain release in our Live from SIHH 2019. The release was a rather monotone white gold case with a silver/white dial with hints of gold and black printed markers. Here is our detailed hands-on review. The release model was a limited edition of 33 pieces. Then came the version in red gold in 2021, which we covered in this article. The red gold edition was also a limited edition of 69 pieces. Today’s novelty is the latest and last incarnation of the Balancier movement. Now executed with a stainless steel case. This latest addition is also a limited edition of 33 pieces, all to be delivered in 2025.
All aspects of the watch remains unchanged, except for the steel case and dial colour. Speaking of the dial, it deserves special mention of the gorgeous deep blue finish over the multi-level gold dial.
Pricing wise, this remains the least expensive Greubel Forsey. The launch model retailed at CHF 195k in white gold. The red gold model also had a retail price of CHF 195k. And this final edition will see an increase of retail price to CHF 220k.
Release details
GREUBEL FORSEY UNVEILS THE FINAL BALANCIER CONTEMPORAIN – IN STAINLESS STEEL
A Defining Final Edition
Greubel Forsey presents the final edition of the Balancier Contemporain, marking the definitive conclusion of this iconic calibre. This timepiece is housed in a 39.6mm stainless steel case – a material that has only been used twice before in the history of the Atelier. Limited to just 33 timepieces, this edition will be built and delivered exclusively in 2025. Once complete, the Balancier Contemporain calibre will be permanently retired and will never made again.
More than a final edition, this stainless steel interpretation is a statement of purpose – it is the rarest and most exclusive case material in the Atelier’s repertoire. Its presence here is deliberate: to honour the legacy of the Balancier Contemporain with purity, restraint, and resolve.
COMPACT, YET MONUMENTAL
When it was introduced, the Balancier Contemporain redefined expectations – delivering the full Greubel Forsey experience in just 39.6mm. This final edition preserves that feat of engineering and design. Under its high-domed sapphire crystal, the gold dial reveals a rich interplay of levels, textures, and finishes. A sunburst blue hour-ring frames the composition, while a deep blue minute-circle and sectorial indications for the small seconds and power reserve create both contrast and clarity. A large visual opening draws the eye to the in-house 12.6 mm balance wheel, suspended above a flat, black-polished gold plate that provides visual depth and dramatic reflection.
The movement is composed of 256 parts, each hand-finished to the highest standard. The bridges are in nickel silver, frosted and spotted by hand, with perfectly polished bevels and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, and a subtle blue treatment unique to this edition. The balance wheel bridge is flat black polished steel – one of the most demanding finishes in haute horlogerie – with hand-polished bevels that reflect light beautifully. The balance wheel itself is mounted above a flat black-polished gold plate, a surface so refined it becomes both technical and architectural.
On the movement side, a black-polished gold plate is engraved in relief with the fundamental values of Greubel Forsey – invisible to the wearer, yet finished with the same uncompromising care. Olive-domed jewels are set in gold chatons, with hand-polished countersinks that catch the light at just the right angle. Every component, visible or not, is treated with the same reverence – as if each part could stand on its own as a miniature work of art.
A CLOSING STATEMENT – AND A NEW BEGINNING
This is the last timepiece to carry the Balancier Contemporain calibre – but it is also the first to signal a new direction. With this final edition, Greubel Forsey opens a new chapter focused on small-diameter timepieces. Over the coming years, this creative momentum will continue to build, exploring new dimensions of mechanical expression, proportion, and elegance – all without compromise.
The Balancier Contemporain in stainless steel is a definitive conclusion – and a confident beginning.
Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain in Stainless Steel Specifications
Balancier Contemporain * In stainless steel * Limited edition * Hand-wound movement * Timepiece with four hands • hours and minutes • small seconds • power-reserve • Greubel Forsey balance wheel system • stop balance
MOVEMENT
MOVEMENT DIMENSIONS • Diameter: 32.40mm • Thickness: 9.20mm
NUMBER OF PARTS • Movement: 256 parts
NUMBER OF JEWELS • 33 • Olived-domed jewels in gold chatons Chronometric power reserve • 72 hours
BARRELS • 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 • Barrel with relief engraving «Greubel Forsey»
BALANCE WHEEL • In-house variable-inertia with 6 gold mean-time screws (12.60mm diameter) • Stop balance activated by crown
FREQUENCY • 21’600 vibrations/hour
BALANCE SPRING • Phillips terminal curve • Geneva-style stud
BRIDGES AND MAIN PLATES • Nickel silver, frosted and spotted with polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, blue treatment • Flat black polished steel balance wheel bridge, polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks • Flat black polished gold plate under the balance wheel
MOVEMENT SIDE • Flat black polished gold plate with relief engraved text, polished bevelling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks with apparent gold chatons • Central gold plate, «GF» engraved with the limitation number
GEARING • Involute circle profile
DISPLAYS • Hours and minutes • Small seconds • 72-hours power reserve on a sector
EXTERIOR
CASE • Stainless steel with high domed synthetic sapphire crystal • Hand-polished bezel, caseband with hand-finished straight-graining • Three-dimensional, variable geometry-shaped lugs • Transparent back with high domed synthetic sapphire crystal • Raised polished engraving “Balancier” and “Greubel Forsey” on a hand-punched background • Gold security screws
CASE DIMENSIONS • Diameter: 39.60mm • Height: 12.25mm
WATER RESISTANCE OF THE CASE • Water-resistant 3atm – 30m – 100ft (standard NIHS 92-20/SN ISO 22810:2010)
CROWN • Stainless steel with engraved and black lacquered GF logo
DIAL • Multi-level in gold • 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
HANDS • Hours, minutes, small seconds and power-reserve in polished steel, hand-polished countersinks
STRAP AND CLASP • Hand-sewn textured rubber • Stainless steel pin buckle, engraved GF logo
