The Grnefeld 1941 Remontoire*, in many ways, is the embodiment of artisanal, independent watchmaking. Designed by the Grnefeld brothers in the Netherlands, they took inspiration from a remontoire clock their grandfather, and father, used to maintain. When combined with a guilloch dial created by Kari Voutilainen, the result is esoteric, uncompromising in quality and steeped in romanticism.

The Grnefeld brothers upbringing in a small town in the Eastern part of the Netherlands was permeated in horology. Bart and Tim Grnefeld both trained in horology, cutting their teeth at famed complications specialist Renaud et Papi, alongside notable contemporaries such as Stephen Forsey and Stepan Sarpaneva. Producing no more than a few dozen watches a year, the Grnefeld brothers create extremely high-quality pieces, having commanded the admiration and respect of none other than Philippe Dufour, amongst others.

The inspiration for the 1941 Remontoire harkens back to the brothers childhood, and the memories of the clock their grandfather and father used to maintain. The clock in question belonged to a nearby church and dated back to 1240. It featured a seldom seen, and highly technical form of power distribution: a remontoire. Providing a more constant delivery of energy to the escapement, in theory, a remontoire should offer greater precision. In tribute to their father, the brothers commemorated his date of birth in the name of the 1941 Remontoire.

From a technical perspective, the watch features an eight-second remontoire, which serves to deliver a constant amount of power to the escapement using a secondary wheel, visible through the dial at 9 oclock. Consisting of 258 individual components, the calibre features over a dozen different finishing techniques, from snailing to frosting. The bridges, shaped like the bell gable roofs of Dutch houses, are fashioned out of steel, which is much more difficult and costly to work with than brass or silver.

The dial of this piece is no less exceptional, as this ice-blue, guilloch dial was made by none other than Kari Voutilainen. An independent watchmaker famed for his intricate and expertly finished dials, we see different styles featured throughout the dial, while the remontoire is exposed at 9 oclock. The combination of a rose-gold case with an ice-blue dial is certainly very visually striking, and this is supplemented by the charismatic, assertive structure of the case, creating a remarkable impression on the wrist.

If sold within the United Kingdom, this 1941 Remontoire will be subject to 20% VAT.

Closer look

This Grnefeld 1941 Remontoire is in very good condition overall, with a few superficial marks throughout consistent with minimal wear. The watch comes with a two-year warranty from A Collected Man, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.