Work progresses on Greubel Forsey's new atelier and offices

[IanS]

The now renovated richly decorated Ancien Manège (old riding school)

When I first visited Greubel Forsey in 2004, they managed to fit comfortably in a few adjoining rooms in the deceptively (from the exterior) beautiful Ancien Manège in La Chaux-de_Fonds.

With each subsequent visit, the company occupied more ever more area on the ground floor, then vertically up the building as space became available.

Due to Greubel Forsey's strong growth year on year, it did not take long before the production machinery spilled out of the Ancien Manège and into a vacant office down the road, and then another, and then the finishing department grew and moved down the road as well.

At present Greubel Forsey is spread over five different sites, all in fairly close proximity, in La Chaux-de-Fonds.

And as the their reputation for crafting, by many criteria are unarguably, the best timepieces in the world grows, the demand for more space continues unabated.

So the decision was made a couple of years ago to find a suitable site and construct their own purpose-built manufacture. And they eventually found an old ruined farm house on the edge of town (direction Le Locle).

Plans were drawn up to renovate the old farm house which will become offices and the reception center and to build a manufacture as architecturally inventive and their watches are horologically inventive.

The new manufacture will also feature both best practice and state of the art environmental credentials.

The new manufacture is expected to open in the first half of 2009 and here is where work is now. We will be following the progress on a regular basis.


Stephen Forsey and Robert Greubel checking on progress.






The farmhouse has quite a bit of history of its own.
























And this is what the farm house should like like inside.


And the present hole in the ground will evolve to this high-tech manufacture.

I'd like to thank Greubel Forsey's Martial Fragnière for the photos.

[pj.m]

wow, that should be an amazing place to visit! the new manufacture obviously takes some of le courbusier's 5 points into account as most ecologically friendly buildings in this era do. I especially like the renovation of the farm house, they have so much potential with such open spaces and antique materials being juxtaposed with the most modern of mechanical timepieces.
looks great!

phil

[IanS]

Phil, I will remind you of those words in the not too distant future.

[pj.m]

i would appreciate it if you do. i need to be reminded that i can take a vacation every once and a while

Great Report about a great brand. For me these people are the best I know.
They have museum quality which the combine with modernity.
I am proud to be one of their collector and want to have the biggest G&F collection in the world

[IanS]

What Greubel Forsey model do you have? Is there a chance you could share a few photos.

Greubel Forsey's watches are as rare as they are superb!

[damien]

always nice to see construction work-in-progress, like a giant version of a movement although not as intricate. looks like a fair bit of work before winter comes. the barn extension is reminiscent of the new vacheron building although in a different language. looks like an inspirational workplace for more inventions - no. 2 to 10...?

[Curtis]

Hi Ian,

Not that I need an excuse to visit Greubel Forsey, as their work is unparalleled and their generosity unmatched, but this new facility will be amazing. I especially want to visit the cutting edge manufacture.

Thanks for the post, buddy!

Cheers,

Curtis

[Meehna]

Thanks, Ian, for the update on GF. It's great to have a privileged view on GF's manufacture plans. I love that they're taking an ecological approach, in resuscitating an old farmhouse and in the modern addition. Looking forward to seeing the progress.
m