Originally founded in 1831, the company Henri Grandjean & Cie bears the name of the famous Swiss watchmaker Henri Grandjean, who played a key role in the development of marine chronometers and contributed to the creation of the Neuchatel Observatory and the Le Locle School of Watchmaking.
After more than a century-long hiatus, the brand has been revived. Instead of restoring archival models - mainly automata and pocket watches - the renewed company aims to continue the spirit of its founder through the lens of modern high watchmaking. The Henri Grandjean & Cie Magician collection includes six variants, representing the debut of the independent Swiss brand in the wristwatch segment, and showcases a "mysterious triple-axis tourbillon" that appears to float inside the case.
Variety of Configurations and Case Materials
At launch, the Henri Grandjean & Cie Magician is offered in six different variants:
- Three models in 18-carat rose gold;
- Two models in 18-carat white gold;
- One model with a polished Grade 5 titanium case.
Among the rose gold, one version stands out with a bright blue tourbillon cage and a 5N rose gold dial, while the other two feature rose gold tourbillon cages and black onyx dials. The main difference between the two onyx dial models is the presence of exquisite hand engraving on the case, crown, tourbillon bridge, and even the gold buckle of the black leather strap.
Luxury of White Gold and Unique Decorations
The pair of Henri Grandjean & Cie Magician watches in white gold are the most luxurious in the collection. The first combines intricate hand engraving with a blue aventurine dial, similar to the most refined rose gold model. The second white gold model takes luxury to new heights - the case is fully adorned with baguette-cut diamonds, and the dial is made of alternating diamonds and blue sapphires. Compared to the gold versions, the titanium watch looks restrained, focusing attention on the internal structure thanks to the aventurine dial and bright blue tourbillon cage.
Technical Specifications of the Movement
All Henri Grandjean & Cie Magician watches have a diameter of 45 mm and a thickness of 16 mm. They are powered by manual movements, fully developed and manufactured in-house. The movement consists of 218 parts and is equipped with 29 jewels. It operates at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz) and has a power reserve of about 42 hours. The construction uses a variable inertia balance and a double mainspring barrel to provide sufficient power to the triple-axis tourbillon. The movement's dimensions are 38.5 mm in diameter and an impressive 12.1 mm in thickness. The top and sides of the case are covered with box-shaped sapphire crystal, providing a full view of the floating three-dimensional tourbillon.
Mysterious Triple Tourbillon: Design and Features
The "mysterious triple tourbillon" in the Henri Grandjean & Cie Magician watches is presented as a skeletonized sphere that appears to float in a round window to the right of the dial. Each of the three tourbillon cages rotates at a different speed:
- The first completes a full revolution in 10 seconds;
- The second in 18 seconds;
- The third rotates at a classic speed - in 60 seconds.
The cages are nested within each other, and their different speeds and angles of rotation create a miniature mechanical ballet, which is impressively displayed next to the offset dial.
Innovations in Motion Transmission and Visual Effect
The motion of the triple tourbillon is mesmerizing on its own, but Henri Grandjean & Cie enhances the effect by using a system of transparent sapphire disks to transmit the tourbillon's rotation to the rest of the movement. A similar principle can be seen in the Rotonde de Cartier Skeleton Mysterious Double Tourbillon model from 2017, but the Henri Grandjean & Cie Magician's triple-axis tourbillon expands this concept into three dimensions, creating the illusion that the skeletonized sphere freely orbits inside the case without visible attachment points.
Comparison with Other Models and Finishing Details
Unlike the Cartier Masse Mystérieuse, which turns the entire movement into a floating rotor, the Henri Grandjean & Cie Magician maintains the aesthetic of high-end contemporary wristwatches. Upon closer inspection, you can see the fine space surrounding the tourbillon, and its "mysterious" effect is enhanced by the rotation of the cages along different axes. Visually, the tourbillon resembles alien technology, but the movement's finishing is done using classic watchmaking techniques: Geneva stripes, straight graining of surfaces, and hand beveling.
Dial Design and Additional Features
The Henri Grandjean & Cie Magician's dial is partially overlapped by the tourbillon window, with the remaining space under the glass occupied by the movement's bridges. The dial is ring-shaped with Arabic hour indices, and in the center, there is a smaller concentric ring disk with a date indicator. Above the dial, there is a day and night indicator in blue and gold colors. The only text on the dial is the Henri Grandjean & Cie logo, which is applied to one of the bridges under the ring dial.
Brand Legacy and Revival Philosophy
Since Henri Grandjean & Cie ceased operations long before the widespread adoption of wristwatches, the revived brand does not seek to leverage the well-known name by reissuing popular models. Instead, the company pays tribute to Henri Grandjean by applying his pioneering spirit to the modern luxury watch market. Magician is a significant departure from the brand's historical archives. Equipping the debut model with a mysterious triple tourbillon indicates that Henri Grandjean & Cie is not merely another retro brand focused on heritage, and complex complications are expected to play a significant role in future collections.
Pricing and Market Positioning
As expected, the titanium Henri Grandjean & Cie Magician watch is the most affordable - its official retail price is 350,000 Swiss francs (approximately 430,000 USD at the time of writing). The models in 18-carat white and rose gold start from 380,000 francs for versions with matte and polished cases, while models with hand engraving cost 480,000 francs.
The most luxurious version with gemstone inlays is the most expensive, although the exact price is not publicly disclosed. Despite the high prices, comparable to supercars and small homes, the Magician is an objectively impressive model, showcasing a powerful debut for the modern brand Henri Grandjean & Cie.