If you recall the GMT Black introduced by Greubel Forsey four years ago, you have some idea where Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey started when the pair envisioned what their first sports watch would look like. Today, Greubel Forsey presents that watch: the GMT Sport, a multiple timezone watch with a tourbillon, all protected by an ultra-strong titanium case and framed by an unusual – and quite distinctive– ovoid bezel.
Round when viewed from above, the GMT Sport's completely new titanium case reveals an exaggerated arch and ovoid shape when viewed from the side or the front.
And while many aspects of the GMT Sport movement housed within the lightweight case are familiar, including the Tourbillon 24 Secondes and the eye-catching, three-dimensional titanium GMT globe, the movement itself is new.
Most prominently, two suspended arched bridges now hold the hours and minutes hands in a central location over the multi-level timekeeping functions below. The 2015 GMT Black, you might remember, echoed most Greubel Forsey designs with an off-center dial displaying its hour and minute hands.
Case and Bezel
But perhaps the most notable feature of the GMT Sport at first glance is the new 45mm case architecture.
The GMT Sport's undulating bezel is satin-finished and set with Greubel Forsey’s familiar engraved ‘values’ text.
Round when viewed from above, the completely new titanium case reveals an exaggerated arch and ovoid shape when viewed from the side or the front. The watch’s undulating bezel, which admittedly might take some getting used to, is satin-finished and set with Greubel Forsey’s familiar engraved ‘values’ text. Also striking are the lugs, which Greubel Forsey has now fully integrated within the case in a nod to the enhanced ergonomics required of a sportier watch.
Bridges and Hands
Directly between the two spans of the suspended arch bridge the wearer can observe the stepped gear train, seen below it, which follows the bridge’s curve. In the dial between 10 o’clock and 11 o’clock Greubel Forsey places the small seconds on a rotating disc. A red hand points to the second time zone on this display while another red arrow at 3 o’clock keeps the wearer abreast of the state of the 72-hour chronometric power reserve ensured by two coaxial barrels in series.
Greubel Forsey on this watch moves the famed 24 Seconds tourbillon from the 5 o’clock position (its location on the earlier GMT Black) to the 1 o’clock spot, secured by a smaller bridge finished to match the larger bridge. As a reminder, this third, hyper-precise Fundamental Invention by Greubel Forsey features a cage inclined at 25 ° completing one full rotation in 24 seconds.
The Globe
The GMT globe here, first seen in 2011 and used within the GMT Black in 2015, displays the second time zone (as seen on the auxiliary dial just above at 11 o’clock). When the wearer combines this with the globe’s universal time display, he or she can read the current time anywhere in the world.
Greubel Forsey has adapted the globe to this new, sportier case with a somewhat bolder sapphire crystal ring with 24-hour divisions and, most notably, without the now-familiar case bulge to encompass the globe. Instead, the globe here is fully placed within the round case.
To set the globe, the wearer will find two pushers located on the left side of the case. One is used to select the second time zone and the other is used to sync the local time with the globe. On the caseback, the wearer can read local time for all longitudes.
With its unusual bezel, the GMT Sport will draw second glances from even the most seasoned Greubel Forsey admirer. In time however, this mildly idiosyncratic case and bezel will become yet another indication (among many over the years) that this brand bows to no predetermined design definitions. Thus, while the new Greubel Forsey titanium case is undoubtedly tough enough for active wearers, the brand has redefined the traditional ‘sports watch’ to bend toward its own ideals – and to fit perfectly within its collections.
For the equally individualistic collectors drawn to the new Greubel Forsey GMT Sport, the watchmaker will offer it as a limited edition of eleven pieces with a black or blue rubber strap and a titanium folding clasp. Price: $500,000.
Specifications: Greubel Forsey GMT Sport
Functions: GMT, 2nd time zone, rotating globe with universal time and day-and-night, universal time on 24 time zones, summer and winter time, summer time, GMT and Earth pushers, tourbillon 24 Secondes, hours and minutes, small seconds, power-reserve
Displays: Small seconds on disc, 72-hours power reserve on a sector, 24-seconds tourbillon rotation, rotating titanium globe with universal time, day and night, and time zone GMT. Back: 24 time zones, Summer time.
Case: 42mm x 15.7mm titanium, three-dimensional, variable geometry-shaped bezel with raised engraved text, profiled lugs, screwed fixing, engraved pushers, transparent back with high domed synthetic sapphire crystal, titanium security screws. Bezel 45mm, titanium and rubber crown with logo, 100 meters of water resistance.
Dial side: Three-dimensional, variable geometry hour-ring, with luminescent hours and minutes indexes, GMT indicator with raised engraving, power-reserve indicator, engraved and lacquered, tourbillon rotation indicator in gold, rotating globe with fixed day-and-night UTC indicator in synthetic sapphire, engraved and lacquered
Movement: Hand wound by Greubel Forsey with three pending patents, two coaxial series-coupled fast-rotating barrels (1 turn in 3.2 hours), one of which is equipped with a slipping spring to avoid excess tension, 21,600 bph. On dial side, titanium bridges are frosted and spotted with polished beveling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, black treatment. Multi-level, suspended-arch bridge, polished with black treatment in relief, polished beveling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks. Tourbillon bridge is flat black polished with black treatment in relief, spotted, polished beveling and countersinks, straight-grained flanks.
Strap: Black or blue rubber with relief text and titanium folding clasp engraved with GF logo.