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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Tourbillon wristwatch

Naissance d’Une Montre 1, No. 1 tourbillon wristwatch

Partially verified

This handmade tourbillon wristwatch represents the first production piece from the Naissance d'Une Montre 1 project, organized under the Time Æon Foundation. Numbered 1 of 11, its movement was entirely hand-crafted and assembled by French watchmaker Michel Boulanger during an intensive six-year apprenticeship with Philippe Dufour and Greubel Forsey in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Constructed using traditional manual tools rather than automated machinery, it features an asymmetrical dial layout with an offset silver time subdial, a small seconds display inscribed 'No 01/11', and an exposed tourbillon mechanism. Unlike other examples, it is cased in custom handmade 18k white gold.

Front view of Naissance d'Une Montre 1, No. 1 in 18k white gold on leather strap
Front view of Naissance d'Une Montre 1, No. 1 in 18k white gold on leather strap — Phillips. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.phillips.com
Category
Wristwatch · Tourbillon wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Michel Boulanger / Time Æon Foundation
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
65
Source-reported date
circa 2016
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
No. 01/11

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Identity and Project Context

This timepiece is identified as the first of the production pieces from the 'Naissance d’Une Montre 1' project, numbered 'No 01/11'. Organized under the Time Æon Foundation, the project involved a six-year apprenticeship where Michel Boulanger worked under Philippe Dufour and the Greubel Forsey team.

The subject is noted as the only example in the series where the movement was entirely made and assembled by Boulanger. It was finished with a handmade 18k white gold case at the request of the original owner, a feature reported as unique among the examples in the series.

Evidence for this section
  • “Numbered 1 of 11, it is the first of the production pieces and the only example whose movement was entirely made and assembled by Michel Boulanger himself.”
  • “At the request of its original owner, the watch was fitted with a fully handmade 18k white gold case. No other example of Naissance d’une Montre 1 shares this feature”

Dial and Visual Observations

The watch exhibits an asymmetrical dial layout with an offset time display intended to reveal the tourbillon mechanism. The subdial includes the inscriptions 'GREUBEL FORSEY' and 'PHILIPPE DUFOUR' with blued hands.

A subsidiary dial marked 'No 01/11' is positioned at approximately 9 o'clock. The watch is presented on a leather strap.

Evidence for this section
  • “The dial is asymmetrical, with the time display offset to allow a clear view of the tourbillon mechanism beneath.”
  • “White off-centered time dial bearing inscriptions 'GREUBEL FORSEY' and 'PHILIPPE DUFOUR' with blued hands.”
  • “Subsidiary dial positioned at approximately 9 o'clock marked 'No 01/11'.”

Construction and Technical Details

Dating to circa 2016, the timepiece was constructed using manual machines and traditional methods. The movement features hand-executed anglage, straight-grained steel components, and black-polished surfaces.

The project's stated objective was to use tools and methods accessible to 18th- and 19th-century watchmakers to prove traditional techniques remain achievable.

Evidence for this section
  • “The circa 2016 handmade Naissance d'Une Montre 1, No. 1”
  • “Every component of the movement was produced on manual machines. Every surface was finished by hand.”
  • “Hand-executed anglage , straight-grained steel components, and black-polished surfaces”

Open research questions

  • What are the specific hallmarks or signature locations present on the white gold case?
  • How does the manual production process for this 18k white gold case differ from the construction of the standard series cases?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Naissance d’Une Montre 1, No. 1 tourbillon wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Lot Number65“Lot 65: The circa 2016 handmade Naissance d'Une Montre 1, No. 1, in 18k white gold”
Case Material18k white gold“fitted with a fully handmade 18k white gold case”
Number in Series1 of 11“Numbered 1 of 11, it is the first of the production pieces and the only example whose movement was entirely made and assembled by Michel Boulanger himself.”
Project TypeHandmade tourbillon wristwatch“The result was Naissance d’une Montre 1, a handmade tourbillon wristwatch”
Apprenticeship Start2009“Beginning in 2009, Boulanger embarked on what became a six-year apprenticeship”
Total Production12“Eleven additional pieces followed, bringing the total production of Naissance d’une Montre 1 to twelve watches.”

Visible details

  • White off-centered time dial bearing inscriptions 'GREUBEL FORSEY' and 'PHILIPPE DUFOUR' with blued hands.
  • Subsidiary dial positioned at approximately 9 o'clock marked 'No 01/11'.
  • Prominently visible exposed tourbillon cage with curved balance bridge.
  • Fitted to a light brown leather strap with contrast white stitching.

Research qualifications

  • Movement side and case back are not visible in the provided photographs.
  • Country attribution to Switzerland relies on manufacture under Greubel Forsey in La Chaux-de-Fonds, though Boulanger is a French educator.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

The First Naissance d’Une Montre: A Watch Built The Old Way

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 8ea260aed8

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other tourbillon wristwatch records