Singapore, September 2021 — Sincere Fine Watches unveils the new Grönefeld 1941 Principia Special Edition, the first of its kind worldwide in the award-winning Grönefeld Principia line of haute horlogerie watches. Limited to 12 handmade pieces globally, the 1941 Principia Special Edition for Sincere is available exclusively at Sincere Fine Watches.

The Grönefeld 1941 Principia Special Edition for Sincere features a vivid frosted two-tone rose gold and khaki dial in a stainless steel case. This timepiece is reminiscent of the special 1941 Remontoire, which was a once-off creation by Grönefeld for the 8th edition of the biennial charity auction Only Watch.

Apart from being the very first special edition of a Principia, the Grönefeld 1941 Principia Special Edition for Sincere also features several firsts for the lineup:

1. Applied arabic-numeral hour markers in gloss black
2. Applied ‘12’ arabic-numeral hour marker in mirror polish
3. The words ‘Grönefeld Special Edition’ printed on the dial
4. A limited-edition plate denoting ‘1 of 12’ in rose gold affixed on the movement

About the Grönefeld 1941 Principia

The Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica, often simply referred to as the Principia, is a body of work by Sir Isaac Newton. Written in Latin and presented in three books, the Principia expounded the laws of motion and universal gravitation. This scientific study by Newton laid the foundation of classical mechanics, and it led the Horological Brothers to select the ‘Principia’ name for their first watch with automatic winding mechanism.

In the sphere of watchmaking, gravity can be a friend or foe. The slightest motion of the wearer’s wrist causes an oscillating weight to rotate under gravity. It is this rotation which imparts energy to the mainspring, obviating the need for the wearer to wind the watch. In this instance, the benefit of gravity is harvested, making the 1941 Principia Special Edition for Sincere ideal for daily wear.

However, gravity can also be problematic, exerting undue influence on the rate keeping of a watch. When a timepiece is held in various positions, it can either run fast or slow. To mitigate the influence of such positional errors, the 1941 Principia Special Edition for Sincere is fitted with a free-sprung hairspring. Superior to a simple index-adjuster, this specification detail necessitates additional expense and effort, exemplifying the uniqueness of the timepiece.

The Sculpted 1941 Case

The 1941 Principia Special Edition for Sincere is housed in Gronefeld’s iconic 1941 case. Named after the year when Sjef, the father of the Horological Brothers, was born, the 1941 case exudes grace from every angle. The sculpted case is executed using specially shaped cutters to create the characteristic hollowed, concave recesses and convex surfaces. In between each additional cutting phase, the case is polished prior to the next stage of milling, ensuring that the precisely defined contours of the case are retained. The process is incredibly time-consuming, but the outcome is testament to the effort required. Each lug is retained with two hidden titanium screws, positioned inside the case. The lugs can be detached for remedial polishing. In the event that they have been subjected to excessive trauma, they can also be replaced. Measuring 39.5mm in diameter, with a restrained height of 10.5mm, the 1941 case is the epitome of elegance and grace.

A Movement for Connoisseurs

Apart from the ease of use, an automatic movement also ensures the mainspring is optimally wound, ensuring less variation of the amplitude of the balance wheel, resulting in better performance. In normal use, the wearer does not need to operate the crown, mitigating the risk of harm to the crown stem. The 1941 Principia Special
Edition for Sincere confers convenience, making it ideal for daily use.

The stainless-steel bridges replicate the facades of the Dutch houses, also known as ‘bell gables’, referencing the homeland of the Horological Brothers. The bridges are hand-bevelled, evincing a brilliant gleam. The centres deliver a sublime contrast with their micro-blasted surfaces and are adorned with relief engraving. The 1941 Principia Special Edition for Sincere is fitted with a 22-karat solid red gold monobloc rotor. The eye-catching oscillating weight is extensively decorated by hand and turns on a ceramic ball bearing, preventing wear and eliminating the need for lubrication.

The Grönefeld 5-arm, double spoke gear train wheels exhibit a contemporary character, whereas their circular grained surfaces pay due reverence to fine watchmaking tradition. The design together with the bevelled escape wheel teeth prevents oil dissipating, thereby mitigating wear. The movement includes a balance wheel, with white gold timing screws, and is equipped with a free-sprung hairspring. The escapement is adjusted to heat-cold, isochronism and six positions.

Gold chatons stand testament to the no-compromise specification of this movement. In addition, the mirror polished screws feature chamfered rims and slots. Numerous surfaces gleam, courtesy of the mirror-polishing which has been patiently executed by time-served hands. The inventory of different decorations includes snailed, grained, spotted and frosted surfaces, thereby indulging the desires of purists. With so much beauty harnessed within the Grönefeld 1941 Principia, a sapphire case back has been fitted to confer a spectacular view.

The Grönefeld 1941 Principia Special Edition, with its self-winding movement, successfully harnesses gravity, making it ideal for daily wear. The Horological Brothers have overcome the detrimental effects of gravity and delivered a highly precise watch for the delectation of purists.

Limited to 12 handmade pieces worldwide, the Grönefeld 1941 Principia Special Edition for Sincere is priced at SGD $61,890 (including taxes), and available exclusively at Sincere Fine Watches. Fulfilment of the watch runs from September through December 2021.