Greubel Forsey NANO FOUDROYANTE EWT

Greubel Forsey’s latest masterpiece, the Nano Foudroyante EWT, marks its 10th fundamental invention and its 20th anniversary. This limited edition watch is limited to 11 pieces and represents an approach to energy management and mechanical miniaturization. It was “Experimental Watch Technology”, hence the name EWT, and it featured a foudroyante seconds hand, a tourbillon and a chronograph.

In 2004, Greubel Forsey launched its first fundamental invention, aiming to completely rethink horology. The Nano Foudroyante is no exception, operating at the nanojoule level, significantly reducing the energy required per jump to just 16 nanojoules compared to the conventional Foudroyante’s 30 microjoules. This leap reduces component volume by 90%, demonstrating Greubel Forsey’s commitment to functional micro-mechanisms without sacrificing performance. If this sounds a little too technical, let’s see if we can make it a little simpler.

What is foudroyante?
In watchmaking, a “foudroyante” (French for “strike” or “lightning”) refers to a complication in which a secondary hand moves rapidly to indicate fractions of a second. This complication is usually found in chronographs and allows for a more precise reading of elapsed time, usually with the hands rotating around a dedicated sub-dial, completing one complete revolution in one second. Each moment of the hand represents a fraction of a second, usually expressed in increments of 1/6 second, 1/8 second, or 1/10 second, depending on the movement of the high quality cheap watches.

Greubel Forsey Nano Foudroyante EWT has an accuracy of 1/6 second. The Foudroyante function is particularly prized in high-precision watches, which require movements capable of high frequencies, often exceeding the standard 28,800 vibrations per hour (vph). However, the GF’s movement vibrates 21,600 times per hour at a frequency of 3 Hz. It’s more technical, showcasing the movement’s ability to measure and display time with impressive precision.

Nanoscale tolerances
We try to use plain language as much as possible because it is becoming increasingly difficult to explain technical complexities. The movement of a watch requires energy, which is why it runs on a winding spring that slowly releases. Quartz watches require batteries. Today, the more complex a watch is, the more gears and other moving parts it has, and the more energy it uses.

As a result, extremely sophisticated and complex complication functions require large amounts of energy. And it also requires space, unless you can make extremely precise small parts. This is mechanical miniaturization. With the Greubel Forsey Nano Foudroyante EWT, it becomes an extremely precise part that consumes as little energy as possible.

Compact tantalum case
All this forms a compact white gold case with a diameter of 37.9 mm and a height of 10.49 mm. The bezel and case back are made of tantalum (Ta), a very hard and corrosion-resistant metal that is blue-gray in color. Watches like the FP Journe Chronomètre Bleu Furtif for Only Watch 2023 even come with a tantalum case. It is also a very scarce material. Bugatti Chiron replica watches

The dial has a multi-layered layout and is made of rhodium-colored gold, with black lacquer hour and minute circles and a visible opening for the tourbillon. The layout includes different areas for the small seconds and chronograph minute counters. The frosted and engraved seconds display is aligned with the one-minute flying tourbillon. Despite its technical nature, the dial remains uncluttered and oriented toward 12 o’clock for clear legibility.

The Greubel Forsey Nano Foudroyante EWT has a power reserve of 24 hours
This watch features Greubel Forsey’s flying tourbillon with Nano Foudroyante mechanism and platinum counterweight. It also features a flyback column wheel chronograph. The movement of the Nano Foudroyante EWT is a manual winding flyback movement that provides a full day of power when the chronograph is started.

Through the transparent case back, the movement’s column wheel design and three-dimensional structure are clearly visible, highlighting Greubel Forsey’s signature finish. The case back is also embossed on a hand-hammered background, adding another layer to the visual craftsmanship. Each tourbillon component is carefully treated, with straight-grain grinding and polished bevels that highlight the mechanical depth of this watch.

Price of Nano Foudroyante EWT
For the strap, Greubel Forsey chose an animal-free, hand-stitched strap with a white gold pin buckle engraved with the GF logo.

This model is available in limited quantities and is extremely technically complex and has unique features, making it very expensive. The first thing that comes to our mind is the Greubel Forsey Grande Sonnerie. replica Breitling Cockpit B50 Watches

Technical data and specifications of Greubel Forsey Nano Foudroyante EWT

Movement:
Greubel Forsey Movement (not specified) | Hand-wound | Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz) | Number of parts: 428 (movement) / 142 (tourbillon cage) | Number of jewels: 42 | Hours, minutes, small seconds, Retrograde column wheel chronograph with foudroyante seconds hand, one-minute flying tourbillon | Power reserve: 24 hours after starting chronograph
Case and dial:
37.9 mm | White gold | Thickness: 10.49 mm | Domed sapphire crystal | Hand-polished tantalum bezel | Rhodium-toned gold dial with black lacquered hour and minute markers | Black hour and minute hands | Red foudroyante seconds hand | Crown fitted Integrated chronograph pushers | Tantalum sapphire crystal case back | Water resistance: 3 ATM / 3 bar / 30 meters / 100 feet
Strap:
Animal-free hand-sewn watch strap | White gold pin buckle