Wandering back to the Hall 2.0 across the sunny plaza and right next door to the AHCI, is where the Grönefeld Bros. show their wares. Sharing a booth with Kari Voutilainen and Stepan Sarpaneva, they featured several of their One Hertz models in the window.
Tim & Bart are the second pair of brothers I work with that design and create their own watches. It is unusual to have such a close working relationship as brothers and still love being around one's sibling. At least I think so, as much as I love my two brothers, I don't think I could work with them day in and day out. Bart & Tim's families live 10 minutes apart, so there obviously is something quite special in their relationship.
There is something stunning in their watches for sure! The first watch to come from these two several years ago now, was a stunning Minute Repeater Tourbillon in their case that features hollow lugs in order to amplify the sound. Trained in Switzerland and having worked at the famous Renaud & Papi complications establishment, their specialty for tourbillons and minute repeaters was shown off in this watch. They started with a Claret designed ebauche and finished it to a superb standard.
Their second watch, which was wholly conceived by Tim & Bart, debuted a couple of years ago and was initially released in a series of 12 pieces in steel, the amazing One Hertz. It features an independent Dead Seconds with a unique design as it is powered by it's own gear train completely independent from the hours and minutes gear train. They designed a clever crown system that by pushing it in, changes from time setting to winding operations. No pulling out the crown and having to find the correct position to change the time. It also features a power reserve indicator and the time is in a small dial at 2 o'clock. I loved the blue dialed platinum model from last years Baselworld show, and this year they previewed an open dialed Techniek model in a Titanium case.
Lighting makes a big difference as to how this watch appears.
Another view of the wonderful stainless steel hand finished bridges,
Superb hand finishing of the bevelling.
The pictures of the watch I saw prior to Basel, didn't quite seem to reveal a compelling watch. As is quite common, in person it works very well and for the technical guys out there, this will be a great watch. I still happen to prefer the standard dial options, but still a fun watch to be able to offer clients. Here are a few on the wrist in different lighting:
Indoors shaded lighting.
Outside in bright sunlight.
Outside indirect lighting.
The lovely 18K RG execution of the One Hertz, The Dune. Lighting is tricky in the stand, but here are a couple of shots of it:
The back is great with the contrasting steel bridges and 18K RG case!
I had a rather special moment as I was present when a client of Tim & Bart's received his unique piece from the lads at Basel. It was a Titanium One Hertz Techniek with a matt finish DLC treatment that sported orange hands for the Jumping Seconds, power reserve indicator and Winding/Setting indicator. It came on a black croco strap with orange stitching!
Again, seeing this lucky guy receive his watch from the watchmakers directly was pretty amazing!
The unique One Hertz Techniek Nocturne in Grade 5 titanium with black DLC.
I spent a fun hour with Tim & Bart after the show closed in their stand, enjoying a Dutch beer or two that they had brought with them. Keen on their beer and not keen on paying the Swiss show prices, they had their own cooler and tap! Ultimately, brilliant watchmakers and great guys to boot.