In an era of automation, Greubel Forsey dares to defy convention—dedicating 5,000 hours to crafting the Hand Made 2 entirely by hand. No shortcuts, no CNC machines—just pure horological artistry.
In a quiet Swiss workshop, hands move with a rhythm honed over centuries. Precision lathes, jig-borers, and pantographs—relics of another era—shape the future. Here, Greubel Forsey conjures its latest marvel: the Hand Made 2, a timepiece born not of automation but of dedication, patience, and unparalleled skill.
It begins with a single component, cut, shaped, and polished entirely by hand—a notion nearly unthinkable in modern watchmaking. 96% of the watch’s 270 components are meticulously crafted by artisans who devote over 5,000 hours to a single timepiece. Only sapphire crystals, case gaskets, spring bars, the mainspring, and most jewels are spared this ritual. Every bridge, wheel, pinion, and screw exists because a master’s hand gave it life.

One of its crowning achievements is a horological first: a handcrafted conical jewel governing the power reserve indicator. It reduces friction, ensuring smoother power reserve function and greater longevity. Its precise shape enhances accuracy by stabilizing movement. The power reserve indicator does not merely measure energy; its index moves, responding to the winding of the watch—a tangible display of mechanical poetry. This was not simply engineered; it was willed into existence through sheer perseverance.

There was a time when watchmaking was nothing but this. Before micron-precise machining, before industrialization dictated the pace of timekeeping, men and women spent their lives crafting timepieces by hand. Abraham-Louis Breguet, a master of the 18th century, revolutionized watchmaking with ingenuity, crafting the first tourbillon and refining timekeeping with meticulous precision. His devotion mirrors that of Greubel Forsey today—not merely an homage but a resurrection of mastery.
The movement of the Hand Made 2 embodies this dedication. The frosted German silver contrasts with the deep enamel of the Grand Feu dials, while blued steel hands hover with effortless grace. Every surface is an exhibition of hand-finishing—frosting, black polishing, straight graining, beveling—all executed to perfection. Light dances along polished chamfers, shifting with each tilt of the wrist. This is not just a timepiece; it is a canvas where artisans leave whispers of their skill.

Yet, tradition alone does not define this watch. It proves that manual craftsmanship can rival the precision of CNC machining. A paradox in metal and sapphire—a watch that looks backward to move forward.
At its heart lies a component few dare to craft by hand: the balance spring. Since 2012, Greubel Forsey has pursued mastery over this element, shaping and adjusting each spring by hand to ensure absolute precision. This craft traces back to Christiaan Huygens’ 17th-century invention of the spiral hairspring, which transformed pocket watches into precise timekeepers. In the Hand Made 2, this centuries-old advancement is not a relic, but a living art form—coiled, cut, and tuned to perfect harmony with the balance wheel.
Encased in white gold, its 40.9mm form is refined yet commanding. A thin bezel grants an unobstructed view into its depths, where each hand-polished screw, bridge, and jewel plays its part in this mechanical ballet. A black suede strap—supple yet firm—secures it to the wrist, ensuring nothing distracts from the artistry within.

Despite its mastery, the Hand Made 2 is not Greubel Forsey’s first venture into this realm. In 2019, the brand unveiled the Hand Made 1, a watch that adhered to the same philosophy of total handcraftsmanship but included a tourbillon, demanding an astounding 6,000 hours to complete. The Hand Made 2 refines this vision, focusing not on complexity but on purity—on an unbroken connection between watchmaker and mechanism. Without a tourbillon, the spotlight remains solely on timekeeping, on the flawless execution of fundamental elements.
For collectors, the Hand Made 2 is not just another high-end watch; it is a statement—proof of what is still possible in horology. Its rarity alone secures its place among the most coveted creations in modern watchmaking. Priced at CHF 620,000, its value transcends mere cost, for no amount of money can buy the sheer time and devotion invested in each individual piece. Those who seek it are not merely acquiring a watch; they are acquiring a piece of human mastery.
At its core, the Hand Made 2 is more than a timepiece—it is a philosophy materialized in metal and sapphire. It deconstructs modern watchmaking, stripping away mechanized conveniences to reveal the artistry beneath. In an age dominated by efficiency, it stands defiantly, proving that the greatest achievements are not produced the fastest but created with patience, intent, and devotion. This is not just a Greubel Forsey watch; this is a masterpiece, forged not by machines but by the hands of those who refuse to let tradition fade.
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