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Greubel Forsey: The Art of Invention is a Thames & Hudson illustrated hardcover by watch journalist Michael Clerizo. It tells the story of founders Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey, their approach to watchmaking innovation, and the hand-finishing behind the brand. The publisher’s US and UK listings give different page counts, illustration counts, publication dates, and prices for the same ISBN, so check the listing for your region before ordering.
What is The Art of Invention about?
Thames & Hudson frames the book around the careers and partnership of Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey: their watchmaking training, meeting at Renaud et Papi in Le Locle, and the establishment of Greubel Forsey in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 2004. The publisher also emphasizes the founders’ conviction that watchmaking still had room for invention, alongside their technical work and attention to hand finishing. Its description says they have created thirty unique and original calibers since 2004; that is the publisher’s stated figure, not an independently audited count. Thames & Hudson USA and Thames & Hudson UK identify Michael Clerizo as the author. Their public summaries do not provide a contents page or full text, so they do not establish a chapter-by-chapter structure or the depth allotted to individual watches.
Who is Michael Clerizo?
Michael Clerizo is a watch journalist and author. Thames & Hudson describes his earlier work as covering contemporary watchmaking and George Daniels, and notes his journalism and television work. The book is published by Thames & Hudson.
How the book’s invention theme relates to Greubel Forsey
Greubel Forsey’s own account identifies the Double Tourbillon 30° as its original invention, introduced in 2004. The company says one cage is inclined at 30 degrees and rotates once per minute inside a second cage that rotates once every four minutes; it describes the arrangement as an effort to optimize average timing rate in different positions. These are the brand’s explanations of its mechanism and objective. Greubel Forsey’s history provides its account of the launch.
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- Book Information:
- Page Extent: 304 pages
- Book Format: Hardcover
- Illustrations: 212
The company’s current invention overview says it has filed over 70 patents and developed ten “Fundamental Inventions.” It presents invention as serving chronometric performance, mechanical efficiency, or expressive possibilities, and treats movement architecture as part of design. These are Greubel Forsey’s own claims and framing, useful context for the book’s subject rather than an independent assessment of its contents.
Hand finishing and the Hand Made workshop
Greubel Forsey says its timepieces are hand-finished and require hundreds of hours of manual work per piece. It describes its Hand Made workshop as producing components with hand-operated tools, and says the Hand Made 2 is made at three pieces per year. Those brand-published details help explain the craft context, but the publisher’s public book description does not say how extensively the workshop or each production detail is covered in Clerizo’s book.
Edition details: US and UK publisher listings
The two regional publisher pages list the same ISBN, 9780500024836, but disagree on several specifications. They should be treated as regional listing details, not as proof of separate editions.
| Listing detail | Thames & Hudson USA | Thames & Hudson UK |
|---|---|---|
| Publication date | February 18, 2025 | January 23, 2025 |
| Format | Hardcover | Hardback |
| Page count | 308 pages | 304 pages |
| Illustrations | 300 color illustrations | 212 illustrations |
| Dimensions | 14.3 × 14.9 × 2 inches | 29.5 × 29.5 cm |
| ISBN | 9780500024836 | 9780500024836 |
| Listed price | $150 | £95 |
| Ordering route | Amazon ordering option on publisher page | Bookseller links on publisher page |
Each date, specification, price, and retailer route above comes from the corresponding regional publisher listing: US or UK. Prices and stock can change. The US page says no ebook is available; that statement applies to that listing and may not describe every market or later format availability.
Is this the right book for you?
The publisher’s description makes the strongest case for readers interested in the founders’ story, the development of Greubel Forsey, and the relationship between technical invention and hand finishing. The substantial illustrated hardcover format and the regional price listings also make it a considered physical-book purchase rather than a lightweight reference.
- A likely fit: readers who want a brand-focused account of Greubel and Forsey, and who value illustrated watchmaking books.
- Check before buying: if you need model-by-model coverage, a specific chapter, or a confirmed explanation of a particular complication, the accessible publisher summaries do not establish that level of detail.
- Find the listing: search by ISBN 9780500024836, then compare the relevant regional publisher page and current bookseller availability.
Where to buy it
Start with the publisher listing for your region: Thames & Hudson USA or Thames & Hudson UK. The US listing offers an Amazon ordering option, while the UK page lists booksellers. Confirm current stock, delivery terms, and price with the retailer before purchase.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
