The Final Two Greubel Forsey Balancier Convexe S² Models

Goodbyes are never easy. Nevertheless, after five years in production, Greubel Forsey is removing the Balancier Convexe S² from the catalog. The brand follows this strategy to maintain extreme exclusivity, preserve high secondary-market value, and ensure a focus on innovation and hand-finished quality over mass production. The two farewell creations — one in black ceramic and 5N red gold, the other in white ceramic — will be limited to just 11 pieces each. This makes these convex-cased, 44mm watches (41.5mm excluding the bezel) the most exclusive executions in the series. If you have ever had the pleasure of trying or owning a GF Convexe, you will agree that these “entry-level” sports watches are something else and that the world of watches will be a bit emptier without them.

Is that a bit of an exaggeration? Yeah, maybe. But these curved creations really are something special. Honestly, pictures don’t do the complex cases justice. The flowing shapes make the Balancier Convexe S² “come to life” on the wrist. And while it’s there, not only will the wrist-hugging sensation of the perfectly proportioned, ergonomically shaped case blow you away, but so will the beautiful curved crystal. Another 22 of these ultra-luxurious “wrist-huggers,” each featuring a 301-part, soon-to-be-retired hand-winding movement with a 30°-inclined balance wheel, will give a few lucky and affluent watch fans the chance at a one-of-a-kind experience.

The last two versions of the Greubel Forsey Balancier Convexe S²

When the 2019 Convexe appeared, it had a unique design, sure, but with a 46.5mm bezel diameter, the watch was also very large. While the ergonomic shape made it wearable, it still required a sizable wrist. The 2021 Balancier Convexe S² was a simpler, smaller, more affordable watch, the smallest in the Convexe collection. The “entry-level” sports watch still presented itself in true Greubel Forsey fashion with an open-worked movement. This resulted in what the brand described as a multiple-level “urban landscape” with dramatic depth. That’s what suspended bridges do. The presence of an inclined balance wheel made sure it was immediately clear that the “entry-level” Convexe S² was a full-fledged Greubel Forsey creation.

I write “entry-level” in quotation marks because, although the two latest and final versions might be the most affordable GF timepieces available, at CHF 295,000 before taxes, they are hardly inexpensive. The Convexe S² was part of the brand’s strategy to halve its average price point from around CHF 500,000 to CHF 250,000. The plan of the previous CEO, Antonio Calce, also included increasing annual production from fewer than 100 watches to around 260 in 2023 and up to 500 once the expansion of the La Chaux-de-Fonds atelier was complete. Next time I meet the current CEO, Michel Nydegger, I’ll ask him if those goals remain part of the current strategy. I will also ask him about how the exit of one of the brand’s founders, Stephen Forsey, has affected the brand. For now, though, let’s focus on the farewell models of the Balancier Convexe S².

Night and day

Both the black and the white Balancier Convexe S² watches have a 41.5mm mid-case and a 44mm bezel. Those numbers might look odd, but the watch’s shape makes them work.

Due to the different materials used, the white ceramic version is 12.85mm thick, while the one in black ceramic and red gold model is slightly thicker at 13.25mm. Both feature sapphire crystals on both the front and back, complemented by a sculpted, shape-shifting bezel and contoured lugs secured by visible screws.

Don’t go looking for a dial; the layered movement is the dial. Everything is exposed, and that’s a good thing. Aside from being horologically fascinating on a technical level, the quality of the different finishes is breathtaking. The watch tells time with polished steel hands filled with Super-LumiNova. As you can clearly see, they are mounted on a suspended arch-shaped bridge, a defining feature of the S² design. Each version also has a case-matching rehaut with applied luminous hour markers.

At the heart of the display is the large, 30°-inclined balance wheel in the lower section. Additional indications include a seconds display set beside the balance on a black or silver-colored gold sub-dial. There’s also a sector-style power reserve indicator seamlessly integrated into the movement’s layered structure.

A technical and aesthetic masterpiece

The hand-wound GF09XV caliber contains 301 components. That number includes 68 parts for the escapement platform, which features the brand’s signature 30°-inclined balance system. This carefully chosen angle enhances timekeeping stability by minimizing positional errors. All the necessary energy comes from two fast-rotating coaxial barrels, each completing a rotation every 3.2 hours, providing a 72-hour power reserve. One barrel also has a slipping spring to prevent over-tensioning.

The 12.6mm in-house variable-inertia balance wheel features six gold mean-time screws, a balance spring featuring a Phillips terminal curve, and a Geneva-style stud. It operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour. Not only is the movement a technical masterpiece, but it’s also finished like one. The titanium bridges and mainplates are frosted and meticulously hand-finished, showing polished bevels and countersinks. The multilevel suspended and arched bridge on the dial side is straight-grained and polished.

On the reverse side, you will find frosted bridges with polished edges. To remind you that you’re wearing something special, there’s also a gold plate engraved with the limitation number. And yes, even components that are rarely visible receive the same level of finishing.

The final two versions of the Greubel Forsey Balancier Convexe S² come equipped with case-matching black or white textured rubber straps. Handling the “closing duties” are folding clasps in titanium (white version) or titanium and 5N red gold. There’s also an optional three-row titanium bracelet featuring an integrated fine-adjustment system. That bracelet will set you back an additional CHF 40,000. Impressive, right? Scary even. But I guess that when you’re seriously considering buying a 300k+ watch, the 40k bracelet price won’t be a deal-breaker. What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Watch specifications