For their first watch of 2021 Greubel Forsey is releasing their Balancier Contemporain in 5N red gold. The Balancier Contemporain was first released in 2019, however this was released with a case made of white gold and also were quite limited in terms of how many were available. I will go through the watch specifications as well as what is so special about 5N red gold.
For Swiss watch manufacturers there is a sort of a common rule where watches cannot be under 18K gold, this paired to make red gold is made by adding copper to change the hue of the gold. With red gold and specifically the 18K 5N red gold used for this watch it is made of 75% gold and 25% copper. When it comes to rose gold or pink gold silver is added in a small percentage with copper to get those iconic rose or pink gold hue. With red gold there is no silver used and especially with the 18K red gold. This red gold gives it a very distinct look compared to normal gold, or rose gold and for some people it is their favourite colour of gold as to them it shows the most elegance out of all the colours.
It has a manual watch movement that has a power reserve of 72 hours and the dial of the watch has a power reserve indicator. The dial of the watch also has a small seconds dial and also has a partial skeleton look that shows an opening for the balance wheel of the movement. It has a case size of 39.6mm which is one of the smallest case sizes that are sold by Greubel Forsey and this is paired with sapphire crystal as well as sapphire crystal caseback that shows an engraved red gold disc which is surrounded by a white gold bridge. It has a water resistance of 30m and the watch comes with a hand-sewn black alligator strap and also has a white gold pin buckle which has a hand-engraved Greubel Forsey logo.
It is very cool to see red gold being used more frequently on watches as the hue is not that popular, and it would be nice to see what other watches could benefit or look even better with the addition of it being made in red gold. The only issue would be the price that the watches will be as it will definitely reach into a territory where most people would not be able to afford some of these watches. Speaking of price, the Gruebel Forsey Balancier Contemporain in 18K 5N red gold will be released for 195,000 CHF or $218,815.
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