The watchmaker Stephen Forsey is the joint founder of the brand Greubel Forsey. Stephen, originating in the UK, studied at WOSTEP in Neuchâtel, worked in Asprey's in London folllowed by Renaud & Papi in Le Locle prior to developing the brand carrying his name.
L'horloger Stephen Forsey est un des fondateur de la marque Greubel Forsey. Stephen, originaire du Royaume-Uni, a étudié à WOSTEP à Neuchâtel, a travaillé dans Asprey's à Londres, suivi de Renaud & Papi au Locle avant de développer la marque portant son nom.
1) What were your parent’s professions? Describe your childhood.
My father was an industrial chemist, my mother was an art teacher.
My parents took me to visit many museums and historic houses, which l later realised had taught me to appreciate tradition and heritage. I was fascinated by anything mechanical, cars, trains, planes. Whenever l could I was often building meccano or scale models.
2) As a child did you have any driving ambition? What did you want to be?
Yes, once I discovered cars I wanted to be a Rally Driver.
3) What is your first memory as a child?
A pedal car.
4) Have you ever had another profession? What did you do?
No, only a Watchmaker, l first specialized in antique watch restoration.
5) What made you choose to become a watchmaker? Who have you worked for in the past? What made you decide to go it alone?
I was fascinated by the notion of time and measuring it. The precision and fine work required on such a small scale as the mechanical watch was a whole new world to discover and it still holds surprises and challenges today.
I’ve worked for Asprey in London, in the prestigious watch restoration department. I also furthered my horological education at WOSTEP (Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Educational Program, as well as in the 1990’s for Audemars Piguet.
During my studies and early career in Horology l was told many times that nothing was left to be invented in mechanical watch-making. So being rather stubborn and contrary to the common belief l was convinced that we could go further through research and development aiming at increasing performance. So, with Robert we set out on our own. From the beginning, we really wanted to focus our energy on the very difficult elements, such as innovation and generally bringing back a level of excellence to mechanical watchmaking, we then completed this by exploring new levels of hand-finishing to each of our creations
6) What’s the worst job you’ve had to do?
I am not sure l ever had a bad job as such, it’s all a question of perspective and each experience teaches you something.
7) What’s been the hardest moment in your life so far, how did you overcome it?
In some ways, leaving London and my family to come to Switzerland 25 years ago to work when l could barely speak any French was probably the hardest time. However, principally through hard work to really contribute something positive and by being open to embrace a new culture and language l was able to integrate with the local community and gradually make it my home.
8) Who has had the strongest influence on you? Who are your inspirations.?
My Grandfather (an engineer in Automotive and aviation industries) and father (an industrial chemist and historic car enthusiast). Influences then also came of course from experience with historical watchmaking and the past masters of horology from the 17th to 19th centuries.
9) What are you most proud of?
Professionally our team at Greubel Forsey and Complitime. This also extends around the world through our exclusive retail partners, the friends we have made with journalists and collectors the relationships that developed to share our passion for fine watchmaking. Personally, my family, we are lucky to have two healthy but challenging children.
10) What advice would you give to a 20 something someone thinking of taking a similar path as you?
You have unique access to information today with the expanding internet as a source, if you have the passion and energy to do something different and new, go out there, inquire, practice, persevere and above all enjoy the adventure. If it’s your passion you will pursue and live it to the full. Slowly you can make a difference and help define the future by being an active part of it.
11) Name three things on your bucket list.
This is a tough one, with the completion of the Greubel Forsey Grande Sonnerie in 2017 and following the revolutionary QP à Equation, Perpetual Calendar in 2014, l realise l will have to update the list but l would still like to complete the Peking to Paris historic rally in a 1920’s W.O. Bentley motor car.
12) Where do you think the industry is going to be in 10 years
The industry will have to change and adapt to continue to capture the attention of a new audience to the unique wonders of the mechanical watch while today’s new market of wristwear technology will need to evolve to be able to co-exist with a mechanical watch because we have already seen that it is not a real substitute. The Internet should mature to be a great tool but at the same time it will be hard ultimately to replace a truly personal service such as independent watchmakers can offer to the collectors and watch enthusiasts. As human beings, we still enjoy our various senses being awakened.
We also have our own significant and groundbreaking projects with Mechanical Nano and Greubel Forsey which will already lead to new and exciting inventions innovations and discoveries for the next decades.
You can learn more about Greubel Forsey at www.greubelforsey.com