Take a look at our newest merchandise
Thank goodness for Tim and Bart Grönefeld. If not for the self-styled “horological brothers” from Oldenzaal within the Netherlands, I’d in all probability neglect the keyboard immediate to generate an umlaut, however I digress. We’re right here to understand the Grönefeld One Hertz Titanium, and there’s extra to it than meets the attention.
Grönefeld One Hertz Basic Titanium on the wrist
Deadbeat seconds is a refined complication, and this machine goes about its enterprise with stealth sophistication. It’s a watch that reveals its allure by charismatic levels.
Traditionally, deadbeat seconds watches had been like knuckleballers in baseball or Sith Lords in Star Wars: all the time a handful however by no means a legion. That modified within the twenty first century because the beforehand area of interest mechanism proliferated throughout a variety of fashions and costs.
Grönefeld One Hertz Basic Titanium
In a market the place a leaping seconds mechanical watch not stands out solely on that foundation, the Grönefelds’ entry excels as a result of it’s a surprising execution on each different foundation.
In different phrases, collectors purchase this look ahead to its rarity, element graces, and mechanical ingenuity; the “one hertz” soar turns into a gap act, not the primary occasion.
No less than, collectors as soon as purchased this look ahead to these causes, as a result of it’s discontinued. As with most Grönefeld fashions – together with present manufacturing – the one approach to discover a One Hertz is to supply one used. Those that do might be happy, however first, they should measure their wrists.
Watches are sensual objects, and bodily match is paramount to a level that turns into a go/no-go for collectors. Previous to launching the 39.5mm “1941” case, Tim and Bart launched their first fashions in a 43mm+ measurement that they most well-liked personally.
Patrons had been enamored of Grönefeld high quality however pleaded for one thing smaller. Because of this, the One Hertz, retroactively the “1896 One Hertz” to suit the model’s present case-size nomenclature, doesn’t work on smaller wrists.
Grönefeld One Hertz Basic Titanium on the creator’s wrist
The creator’s flat 16cm circumference forearm barely accommodated this machine, and something smaller can be hopeless.
That stated, this watch is the products. Beginning on the dial aspect, Grönefeld provides pleasure of place to the dancing seconds hand with the dial’s largest register and that on a collection of pillars.
Grönefeld One Hertz Basic elevated seconds ring
The seconds observe towers over the subservient hours, minutes, and energy reserve indicator. Richard Mille and Audemars Piguet Renaud et Papi followers will respect the crown mode indicator at three o’clock.
Crown selector indication: push to wind, push to set the time
This crown is a pushbutton selector that doesn’t pull out within the pursuits of caliber packaging and avoidance of unintentional displacement of the minute hand as soon as set. Deep inside the mechanism, a crisp column wheel turns the crown operate right into a tactile pleasure.
Strong silver dial of the Grönefeld One Hertz Basic Titanium
Grönefeld’s dial is a stable sterling silver development, however the frosted silver-white fascia disguises the underlying treasured steel. Time and performance indicators sit atop fastidiously brushed and polished steel scales; indices are mirrored with razor-like sides; arms are fired blue with a stunning tempered depth of coloration.
Grönefeld One Hertz Basic Titanium
Simply because the seconds scale elevates the attention, a number of shapely depressions decrease the focal airplane and articulate the dial’s massive barren areas.
Energy reserve indicator of the Grönefeld One Hertz
A galloping (leaping) seconds hand is the spotlight of the dial, however the energy reserve indicator warrants a point out. First, it has migrated considerably from earlier variations of the watch that situated the show within the seconds’ ring. Second, it employs a classical Breguet-style cone-and-follower pushed off of a barrel arbor.
In recent times, Ferdinand Berthoud has been essentially the most distinguished and exhibitionist adherent of this age-old system, however Tim and Bart have hidden theirs deep inside the motion. You may’t see the reserve indicator’s drive system however get pleasure from understanding it’s there.
Grönefeld One Hertz G-02 motion particulars
Not all deadbeat seconds mechanisms are created equal. Conventional star-and-flirt methods execute the soar successfully, however putting these in the identical powertrain because the remaining shows can result in gradual or irregular timekeeping.
The Grönefelds, who dub their setup “useless seconds,” use two impartial drivetrains to make sure that the pump-and-dump power calls for of the seconds hand don’t intervene with the regularity of the steadiness wheel, hours, and minutes.
G-02 motion of the Grönefeld One Hertz Basic Titanium
At 34mm, the caliber G-02 is a big motion, and this type of hand-in-glove match of case to caliber is turning into obligatory in fashionable hi-luxe watchmaking.
However measurement is nothing with out sophistication, and the intricate ornament of the chrome steel bridges reveals that Tim and Bart mirrored deeply on their formative Nineties expertise at Audemars Piguet underneath Robert Greubel.
Metal is an odd materials to decide on for bridges, and it’s right here primarily as a result of ending it’s a flex.
G-02 motion of the Grönefeld One Hertz Basic Titanium
Including a sophisticated bevel, a satin brushed peripheral reduction, and a recessed media blast to every bridge is a triple-flex.
That stated, there are rational causes for utilizing chrome steel. The fabric resists deformation from harsh dealing with, it doesn’t corrode, and it doesn’t require delicate plating of rhodium to keep away from tarnish.
Particular ending selections break up the distinction between the showmanship of utilizing metal and the sensible advantages of reconditioning brushed, blasted, or polished sections that is likely to be marred in service.
Good actions embrace effective end. Nice actions embrace parts of structure – the shapes, proportions, and relative positions of the items for aesthetic affect. Caliber G-02 has each.
he bridges of the Grönefeld One Hertz resemble the “bell gable” roofs of conventional Dutch homes
Bridges are profiled to resemble the “bell gable” roofs of conventional Dutch homes.
The drivetrain, barrels, steadiness cock, keyless works, and useless seconds escapement evenly encircle a middle bridge that assists the winding and hacking capabilities of the crown.
Prepare pivot jewels are embellished with golden chaton cups whose technical relevance is a relic of the pocket watch period, however whose coloration and character enliven this anthracite-toned machine. The maillechort (aka German silver) baseplate receives a darkish rhodium plating to make sure coherence of coloration.
Tim and Bart Grönefeld holding a One Hertz
Small refinements are considerable and significant. Exterior highlights embrace a set of 4 powerfully stepped, softly beveled, and artfully flared lugs. They add broad-shouldered wrist presence with out the stifling conservatism of Lange’s higher recognized however rail-straight step lugs. This crown presents refined nuance in its mix of polished and media blasted particulars.
Mechanical refinements embrace a free-sprung steadiness to raised protect the elite six-position adjustment from shock-induced timing departures. A fastidiously curved overcoil hairspring fortifies the precision timing towards the vicissitudes of gravity.
It’s 2025, and loads of used watches on chrono24 provide deadbeat seconds for underneath $10,000. What was thought of unique in 1956 – and even 1996 – not impresses veteran watch collectors.
The enchantment of the Grönefeld One Hertz Titanium isn’t its parlor trick however its holistic excellence. It’s almost as compelling whereas static as in movement.
Grönefeld One Hertz Basic Titanium
From design to supplies to ornament to engineering, the Grönefeld One Hertz Titanium distinguishes itself as a uncommon pleasure for the observer and a uncommon privilege for the proprietor.
For extra info, please go to www.gronefeld.com/downloads/one-hertz-classic/one-hertz-titanium/
Notice: at time of publication there’s a Grönefeld One Hertz Basic Titanium obtainable at
www.acollectedman.com/collections/recent-arrivals/merchandise/gronefeld-one-hertz-classic-titanium
Fast Info: Grönefeld One Hertz Basic Titanium
Version: Launched in 2011 in 30 items
Capabilities: Hours; minutes; deadbeat seconds; multifunction crown; energy reserve indicator
Dial: Silver-white coloration with effective granular texture; raised observe for deadbeat seconds show; subdial for hours and minute; energy reserve indicator; crown mode indicator; blued metal arms
Case: Grade 5 titanium; 43mm diameter; 13.3mm thick; 51.7mm lug-to-lug; 22mm between lug horns; stepped lugs; 30 meters of water resistance; push button crown is non-extensible set off for setting modes
Strap: Rectangular scale gray alligator leather-based high with small spherical scale gray alligator leather-based lining
Clasp: Titanium pin buckle with Grönefeld branding
Motion: G-02; handbook wind; 72-hour energy reserve; 3Hz beat charge; 39 jewels; free sprung steadiness; twin mainspring barrels; separate barrels and drivetrains for seconds and hour/minute shows; overcoil hairpspring; hacking seconds; chrome steel bridges with golden chaton jewel cups
2024 Preowned Worth: $85,000-$90,000
* Tim Mosso is the media director and watch specialist at The 1916 Firm. You may take a look at their very complete YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@the1916company.
You may additionally get pleasure from:
Why I Purchased It: Grönefeld 1941 Remontoire
Grone Oldenzaal: a New Extra Inexpensive Model by Bart and Tim Gronefeld Launches with the Manueel One ‘Sjef’s One’
Grand Seiko Spring Drive SBGZ003 Reviewed by Tim Mosso: Excessive-Tech Mechanical Masterpieces providing Sensational Hand Ending and Glorious Worth
