In an industry shaped by legacy and dominated by large luxury groups, Greubel Forsey’s CEO, Michel Nydegger, shares how the brand’s relentless innovation, from groundbreaking tourbillons to nano-mechanics, continues to elevate the art of haute horlogerie.
Greubel Forsey’s journey in watchmaking began not with the goal of becoming a luxury brand, but with a passion for redefining horology through innovation. Founded in 2004 by Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey, the brand has consistently pushed the limits of mechanical watchmaking. Its approach to watchmaking is one of complete creative freedom and technical excellence. Despite an industry dominated by large luxury groups, Greubel Forsey has maintained its independence, focusing on quality and maintaining control over its vision and artistry.
We met with Michel Nydegger, CEO of Greubel Forsey.
Ticino Management: Could you share the origins of Greubel Forsey? What motivated Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey to create the brand in 2004?
Michel Nydegger: Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey did not initially set out to create a luxury watch brand. Their primary motivation was to contribute something significant to horology. They wanted to develop innovations that would push traditional watchmaking forward, particularly through the tourbillon mechanism. Their first invention, the Double Tourbillon 30°, aimed to revolutionize the precision of mechanical watches. However, no brand showed interest. Once they realized no one understood the potential of their invention, they decided to establish Greubel Forsey and produce the watch under their own name. This led to the launch of the brand at Baselworld 2004, where their Double Tourbillon 30° gained critical acclaim. The positive reception propelled them to continue creating watches.