Greubel Forsey: QP à Équation “Millesimé Edition”

After 7 years of research, the assembly of 624 parts, 3 patents, and the combination of 2 inventions, Greubel Forsey unveils the QP à Équation Millésimé, representing a revolution of one of the oldest watchmaking complications – the perpetual calendar – by incorporating an equation of time.

At the heart of the QP à Équation lies the Mechanical Computer, an entirely integrated 25-part component that brings a new interpretation to some of the calendar functions incorporated in age-old astronomical clocks. It is composed of a set of coding wheels super- imposed in a coaxial manner, along with removable fingers. Depending on their rotation speeds and number of teeth, these wheels provide a variety of information. The Mechanical Computer also directly drives a system of sapphire disks that displays the equation of time, i.e. the difference between the “real” solar time and civil time.

All the indications can be corrected by turning the bi-directional crown, so that despite its multiple functions and displays, the QP à Équation Millésimé remains easy to set.

The dial of the timepiece indicates leap years, the 24 hours of the day and night, the hours, the minutes and the seconds, as well as the chronometric 72-hour power reserve. 3 apertures lined up in the sub-dial at 3 o’clock give an indication of the day, date and month.

On the movement side, it displays the equation of time with the months, seasons, solstices and equinoxes, as well as the calendar year.

The timekeeping of this timepiece relies on Greubel Forsey’s Tourbillon 24 Secondes, which uses a fast rotation speed and inclined angle to solve the problem of critical positions of the oscillator in relation to gravity.

This new Millésime’s white gold case measures 43.5 mm by 16 mm thick and provides a simplified linear display: an ultra-complicated timepiece, but as easy to use and adjust as a watch with three hands. (Price CHF 670.000 + Tax)