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The History of the Tourbillon, by Stephen Forsey

  • HSNY at the General Society Library 20 West 44th Street New York, NY, 10036 United States (map)

Stephen Forsey, co-founder of Greubel Forsey and CompliTime SA

Watchmakers have always sought to improve the precision of mechanical timekeepers, and the tourbillon has been a significant invention in this adventure. At the June 2017 meeting of the Horological Society of New York, Stephen Forsey will retrace the historical origins of the tourbillon from the pocket watch to the wristwatch. In addition, a selection of Greubel Forsey timepieces will be on display.

Robert Greubel & Stephen Forsey

Robert Greubel & Stephen Forsey began working together in 1999 on a new generation of tourbillons for the wristwatch, culminating with the launch in 2004 of their Double Tourbillon 30°. Today, Greubel Forsey continues to innovate with a wide range of complicated timepieces, including their newly announced Grande Sonnerie.

Stephen Forsey

About Stephen Forsey
Stephen Forsey was born in St. Albans, England, where he inherited his father’s passion for the intricacies of mechanics. From 1987 he specialized in antique watch restoration, and he subsequently became the head of Asprey of London’s prestigious watch restoration department; he then furthered his horological education at WOSTEP (Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Educational Program). After moving to Switzerland in 1992, Stephen met Robert Greubel and started working on the most complicated mechanical movements. In 1999, he left to work independently and in 2001 he co-founded CompliTime with Robert Greubel. Together, they then launched Greubel Forsey in 2004.