Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces
Hong Kong, May 31, 2025
LOT 349
GREUBEL FORSEY, PHILIPPE DUFOUR AND MICHEL BOULANGER, PIÈCE D’ECOLE SCHOOL WATCH PROTOTYPE, 18K WHITE GOLD
HKD 8,000,000 - 18,000,000
EUR 920,000 - 2,060,000 / CHF 860,000 - 1,930,000 / USD 1,030,000 - 2,320,000
An unique and very fine, 18K white gold prototype wristwatch with openworked dial and tourbillon. A hand-made prototype created by the “Le Garde-Temps, Naissance d’une Montre” project. Dial signed Greubel Forsey and Philippe Dufour. Movement signed Michel Boulanger
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: |
|
Case: 1 |
As new |
Movement: 1* |
As new Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 1-01 |
As new HANDS Original |
Brand GREUBEL FORSEY, PHILIPPE DUFOUR AND MICHEL BOULANGER
Model PIÈCE D’ECOLE school watch prototype
Year circa 2016
Movement No. signed Michel Boulang
Case No. signed Montre École and Naissance d’une Montre
Bracelet leather strap with 18K white gold pin buckle signed Naissance d’une Montre
Diameter Ø 45mm.
Weight 142 gr. (approx.)
Signature dial, case and movement
Accessories booklet issued by Greubel Forsey
Notes
The privileged new connoisseur of this Unique School Watch shall receive a service rights certificate from Greubel Forsey,
of fering comprehensive maintenance services. This certificate remains valid for six months following the date of acquisition at Antiquorum. We are delighted to present the new connoisseur with a business class return air ticket to Switzerland, Greubel Forsey shall arrange a manufacture visit reception and provide one night’s complimentary accommodation in the renowned watchmaking capital of La Chaux-de-Fonds, as a gesture of esteem. This remarkable timepiece is accompanied by the precious‘‘Naissance d’une Montre’’ (‘Birth of a Watch’) booklet, graced with the handwritten signatures of Master Watchmakers, alongside an exquisite watch presentation case.
The Guardians of Horological Heritage:
A handmade “Pièce d’Ecole” by Master Horologists
In the 1980s, as quartz technology threatened traditional watchmaking, visionary horologists Svend Andersen and Vincent Calabrese founded the AHCI to preserve artisanal craftsmanship. Independent watchmakers emerged as cultural guardians, creating intricate timepieces that transcend mere timekeeping.
In 2006, masters Stephen Forsey, Robert Greubel, and Philippe Dufour established Time Æon Foundation to safeguard traditional skills. Their landmark «Le Garde Temps» project, launched in 2007, successfully transmitted generations of watchmaking expertise to Michel Boulanger, culminating in a handmade tourbillon that symbolizes the enduring spirit of independent horology.
GREUBEL FORSEY – ‘FATHERS OF THE TOURBILLON ESCAPEMENT’
Greubel Forsey is a Swiss watchmaking company specializing in high-end complicated timepieces. The La Chaux-de-Fonds based company is launched in Baselworld 2004 with the Double Tourbillon 30° watch by the 2 passionate
watchmasters, Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey. Greubel and Forsey feel that ‘the culture of watchmaking is being endangered’. Thus, through the Naissance d’une Montre project, Stephen Forsey believes that it shall «slow-down the loss of know-how’.
Mastering Time: A Nine-Year Journey in the Art of Watchmaking
2007
Launch of the «Le Garde Temps – Naissance d’une montre» project
2009
Robert, Stephen and Philippe chose Michel Boulanger as the ‘Apprentice’
2009-2012
Transmission of Skills, Knowledge and Philosophy
It took several months for Robert, Stephen, Philippe and Michel to reach anagreement and to precisely define the rules of the game. The adventure is setto last several years. Michel must gather the knowledge and gestures to createa timepiece by hand, with only antique tools. Michel worked on his creation inhis south-west of Paris. While doing so, he would pay a visit on monthly basis,to Robert Greubel, Stephen Forsey, and Philippe Dufour, as well as to learn from
other specialists at the Greubel Forsey manufacture.
2012
Conceptualization of the entire movement
2013
Hand-made movement parts and assembly
2014 Jan
Movement presented in SIHH 2014
2014
Continuous modification, review, and correction
2015
The fonctionnel tourbillon Naissance d’une Montre was presented in its case at SIHH 2015 for the first time
2016
Production of the project’s 11 timepieces began after SIHH 2016
2016 May
On 30 May 2016, the Montre École (the current example), the first watch to be created as partof the Naissance d’une Montre project, sold for USD1,461,507 at the Christie’s auction in Hong Kong.
of fering comprehensive maintenance services. This certificate remains valid for six months following the date of acquisition at Antiquorum. We are delighted to present the new connoisseur with a business class return air ticket to Switzerland, Greubel Forsey shall arrange a manufacture visit reception and provide one night’s complimentary accommodation in the renowned watchmaking capital of La Chaux-de-Fonds, as a gesture of esteem. This remarkable timepiece is accompanied by the precious‘‘Naissance d’une Montre’’ (‘Birth of a Watch’) booklet, graced with the handwritten signatures of Master Watchmakers, alongside an exquisite watch presentation case.
The Guardians of Horological Heritage:
A handmade “Pièce d’Ecole” by Master Horologists
In the 1980s, as quartz technology threatened traditional watchmaking, visionary horologists Svend Andersen and Vincent Calabrese founded the AHCI to preserve artisanal craftsmanship. Independent watchmakers emerged as cultural guardians, creating intricate timepieces that transcend mere timekeeping.
In 2006, masters Stephen Forsey, Robert Greubel, and Philippe Dufour established Time Æon Foundation to safeguard traditional skills. Their landmark «Le Garde Temps» project, launched in 2007, successfully transmitted generations of watchmaking expertise to Michel Boulanger, culminating in a handmade tourbillon that symbolizes the enduring spirit of independent horology.
GREUBEL FORSEY – ‘FATHERS OF THE TOURBILLON ESCAPEMENT’
Greubel Forsey is a Swiss watchmaking company specializing in high-end complicated timepieces. The La Chaux-de-Fonds based company is launched in Baselworld 2004 with the Double Tourbillon 30° watch by the 2 passionate
watchmasters, Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey. Greubel and Forsey feel that ‘the culture of watchmaking is being endangered’. Thus, through the Naissance d’une Montre project, Stephen Forsey believes that it shall «slow-down the loss of know-how’.
Mastering Time: A Nine-Year Journey in the Art of Watchmaking
2007
Launch of the «Le Garde Temps – Naissance d’une montre» project
2009
Robert, Stephen and Philippe chose Michel Boulanger as the ‘Apprentice’
2009-2012
Transmission of Skills, Knowledge and Philosophy
It took several months for Robert, Stephen, Philippe and Michel to reach anagreement and to precisely define the rules of the game. The adventure is setto last several years. Michel must gather the knowledge and gestures to createa timepiece by hand, with only antique tools. Michel worked on his creation inhis south-west of Paris. While doing so, he would pay a visit on monthly basis,to Robert Greubel, Stephen Forsey, and Philippe Dufour, as well as to learn from
other specialists at the Greubel Forsey manufacture.
2012
Conceptualization of the entire movement
2013
Hand-made movement parts and assembly
2014 Jan
Movement presented in SIHH 2014
2014
Continuous modification, review, and correction
2015
The fonctionnel tourbillon Naissance d’une Montre was presented in its case at SIHH 2015 for the first time
2016
Production of the project’s 11 timepieces began after SIHH 2016
2016 May
On 30 May 2016, the Montre École (the current example), the first watch to be created as partof the Naissance d’une Montre project, sold for USD1,461,507 at the Christie’s auction in Hong Kong.
Biography
REUBEL FORSEY – ‘FATHERS OF THE TOURBILLON ESCAPEMENT’
Greubel Forsey is a Swiss watchmaking company specializing in high-end complicated timepieces. The La Chaux-de-Fonds based company is launched in Baselworld 2004 with the Double Tourbillon 30° watch by the 2 passionate
watchmasters, Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey. Greubel and Forsey feel that ‘the culture of watchmaking is being endangered’. Thus, through the Naissance d’une Montre project, Stephen Forsey believes that it shall «slow-down the loss of know-how’.
PHILIPPE DUFOUR – ‘THE LIVING WATCHMAKER LEGEND’
Known as the Master of Modern Watchmaking, Philippe Dufour started his horological journey as an antique pocket watch restorer. In the 1970s, he set up his own business and was fully committed to restoring antique watches and
high-value complications. Philippe Dufour finishes all his watches by hand. Thus, his clients have to patiently wait years for his creations. His 2 recognizable works are the Simplicity and the Duality. The highly respected watchmaker’s philosophy, «We are here today; we must be here tomorrow”, echoing a continuity of blending modern watchmaking vs.
traditional know- how.
MICHEL BOULANGER – ‘THE TEACHER WHO BECAME AN APPRENTICE AGAIN’
A French watchmaking teacher at the Diederot Vocational Training College in Paris and a graduate of the WOSTEP program in Switzerland. Upon selected, Michel Boulanger decided to produce a round wristwatch driven by a manually
wound movement with three-hands time display and equipped with a tourbillon mechanism respectful of the 19th century watchmakers, particularly Jacques-Frédéric Houriet and Abraham-Louis Breguet.
Greubel Forsey is a Swiss watchmaking company specializing in high-end complicated timepieces. The La Chaux-de-Fonds based company is launched in Baselworld 2004 with the Double Tourbillon 30° watch by the 2 passionate
watchmasters, Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey. Greubel and Forsey feel that ‘the culture of watchmaking is being endangered’. Thus, through the Naissance d’une Montre project, Stephen Forsey believes that it shall «slow-down the loss of know-how’.
PHILIPPE DUFOUR – ‘THE LIVING WATCHMAKER LEGEND’
Known as the Master of Modern Watchmaking, Philippe Dufour started his horological journey as an antique pocket watch restorer. In the 1970s, he set up his own business and was fully committed to restoring antique watches and
high-value complications. Philippe Dufour finishes all his watches by hand. Thus, his clients have to patiently wait years for his creations. His 2 recognizable works are the Simplicity and the Duality. The highly respected watchmaker’s philosophy, «We are here today; we must be here tomorrow”, echoing a continuity of blending modern watchmaking vs.
traditional know- how.
MICHEL BOULANGER – ‘THE TEACHER WHO BECAME AN APPRENTICE AGAIN’
A French watchmaking teacher at the Diederot Vocational Training College in Paris and a graduate of the WOSTEP program in Switzerland. Upon selected, Michel Boulanger decided to produce a round wristwatch driven by a manually
wound movement with three-hands time display and equipped with a tourbillon mechanism respectful of the 19th century watchmakers, particularly Jacques-Frédéric Houriet and Abraham-Louis Breguet.