Review: The Grönefeld 1941 Principia Automatic In Stainless Steel Case and Turquoise Dial
A daily watch, a contemporary dress watch, a conversation starter: the marvelous creation of the renowned Horological Brothers
At long last, the call arrived from the authorized dealer, concerning a timepiece I ordered 2 years and 4 months ago. This highly sought-after watch was now ready to be shipped from Oldenzaal, a small city located in the eastern Netherlands, a place half a world away from me. The masterful artisans behind this creation were two brothers, representing the third generation of watchmakers in their family from that town.
While I hadn't visited the Netherlands in person, I virtually explored Oldenzaal through Google Maps. The birthplace of my cherished watch revealed a delightful town centered around a historical Catholic church (see picture below). Right next to the church, known as the Basilica of St. Plechelm, stood the brothers' workshop. A tower clock perched atop the church, once maintained by their grandfather and father, had been the brothers' childhood playground. Today, they are renowned as the Horological Brothers, ranking among the finest independent watchmakers worldwide.
The timepiece that has finally arrived is the Grönefeld 1941 Principia automatic in a stainless steel case with a stunning turquoise dial. The year 1941 holds special significance as it marks the birth of the brothers' father. Moreover, the watch's name, Principia, pays homage to Sir Isaac Newton, the great physicist in history, who discovered the energy in actions.
This watch is simply breathtaking, packaged exquisitely! Only 4 to 5 pieces of Principia are meticulously crafted each month due to the time-consuming finishing work. With a strong demand, the wait is inevitably quite long. However, without a doubt, the wait was worthwhile, and I find myself overjoyed with the final product. I am beyond thrilled! Now, here is my review, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I cherish this exceptional timepiece.
A Brief History of the Brand
Grönefeld, an independent Dutch watch brand, was established in 2008 by brothers Bart and Tim Grönefeld, who initially specialized in restoring antique clocks and watches. In the 1990s, they honed their skills at Renaud & Papi, creating intricate watch movements for other brands. However, in 2008, the brothers set out on their own venture, founding the Grönefeld brand with a clear vision: to craft unique wristwatches and movements of their own design.
Early Grönefeld timepieces, like the Parallax Tourbillon, received high praise for their innovative dual mainspring barrels and elegant, minimalist aesthetics. In 2010, they achieved a groundbreaking feat with the One Hertz, featuring an intriguing dead beat seconds complication, showcasing their technical prowess. Further demonstrating their creative brilliance, other remarkable Grönefeld creations include the 1941 Remontoire with constant force and the 1941 Grönograaf, an ingenious chronograph boasting intricate details.
Grönefeld's approach to watchmaking is independent and small-scale, producing limited quantities of their exquisite timepieces. The brand's commitment to top-notch craftsmanship has garnered recognition from industry peers at the prestigious GPHG competitions.
Grönefeld watches boast several key strengths, including their innovative mechanisms, distinct aesthetics, meticulous hand finishing, customizable options, and limited production volume. The brothers forge close collaborations with industry leaders like Mr. Andreas Strehler and Comblémine SA (owned by Mr. Kari Voutilainen), solidifying their position as true insiders in the exclusive high-end watchmaking clubs, despite being based in the Netherlands. The brand has successfully carved out a niche as an innovative watchmaker, captivating the hearts of watch collectors and enthusiasts alike.
1941 Principia
Like many esteemed independent watchmakers, the brothers initially focused on delivering complex and intricate timepieces to showcase their exceptional watchmaking skills, earning them well-deserved recognition. However, they eventually decided to create a simpler, more accessible 3-hand watch. By offering this watch at a lower price point, they aimed to reach a broader group of watch collectors and enthusiasts, while also providing a timepiece that's suitable for daily wear.
In 2018, the brothers introduced their elegant creation, the Principia. For this timepiece, they developed a new in-house automatic movement, marking a significant milestone for the brand. The movement's exquisite hand-finishing and distinctive aesthetics made it an immediate standout. The Principia was presented in various options, including white gold, red gold, and steel cases, five different dial designs, and six unique straps. Clients had the liberty to mix and match these elements, offering a staggering 90 possible combinations to find their ideal watch. As an added bonus, each Principia watch was accompanied by a beautiful winder, making it a fantastic companion for enthusiasts.
Here is a timeline of Principia releases:
October 2018: launch of Principia
September 2019: Finalist in the Men’s category of 2019 GPHG competition
September 2021: Order book closed due to overwhelming demands
Note: I was very lucky to place an order in March 2021
September 2021: Special Edition for Sincere Fine Watches 12 pieces
January 2022: Special Edition for Cellini Jewelers 12 Pieces
August 2022: Special Edition Gröneblue for Sydel and Sydel Jewelry 10 Pieces
June 2023: Principia Mandala announced for 2023 Only Watch
How many pieces of Principia have been produced so far? The estimate is 180 based on available info, which works out to be about 3 pieces per month on average since 2018. Considering the production shutdown during Covid and the addition of new watchmakers, the current monthly output for Principia can be estimated at 4-5 pieces a month, which is still considered a remarkably low volume.
Dial and Case Design
The design of the Principia's dial and case echoes the Grönefeld 1941 Remontoire, a model that received the prestigious GPHG Men’s award in 2016. The 1941 Remontoire, with its limited edition of 188 timepieces, catalyzed the Horological Brothers' ascent to the top echelons of independent watchmakers. As a more affordable model, Principia doesn’t have the remontoire at 9 o’clock. However, it features an automatic movement, fitted in the same case design. The case is named “1941 case” after the year the brothers’ father Sjef was born.
The Principia has been made available in three new dial colors: cream lacquer, turquoise, and light blue, in additional to rhodium and salmon that were available for 1941 Remontoire. Several new straps are offered with fantastic designs, while the inner leather is always orange, a color representing the Netherlands. The distinctive aesthetic of Grönefeld watches is best exemplified by the Principia's dials: modern, simple, and elegant in their design.
Calibre G-06
Bart and Tim Grönefeld, inspired by the success of their 1941 Remontoire, have designed the Calibre G-06 with the goal to again captivate the most discerning of watch collectors. In a nod to their Dutch heritage, the stainless-steel bridges of the watch are designed to mimic the facades of 'bell gables', distinctive architectural features of Dutch houses. Each bridge is hand-bevelled, resulting in an impressive gleam, and the jewels are set in gold chatons, enhancing their brilliance.
The Calibre G-06 is equipped with a 22-karat solid red gold rotor, a feature that is both functional and visually stunning. This hand-decorated oscillating weight rotates on a ceramic ball bearing, a design choice that minimizes wear and eliminates the need for lubrication. The movement also includes a balance wheel with white gold timing screws and is fitted with a reliable free-sprung hairspring for precision timekeeping.
I measured the timing accuracy of my Principia on a time-grapher and the result was -1.3 seconds per day (data at six positions: 0, -1, -6, +6, -7, 0).
Key Specifications
The key specifications of the Principia:
Case diameter: 39.5mm
Thickness: 10.5mm
Movement parts: 226
Number of jewels: 31
Power reserve: 56 hours
Frequency: 21,600 vibrations/hour or 3Hz
Automatic system: Uni-directional winding mechanism. For 24 hours of autonomy, 633 rotations are needed
Water resistance: 30 meters
Prices and Availability
The price of Principia in stainless steel is listed at EUR 36,900 on its website (the price was EUR 29,950 at the 2018 launch). While it might seem like a considerable amount for a steel-cased watch, it is actually the most affordable model by the brand compared to their other offerings, such as the Grönograaf in steel (EUR 155,000) and the Deltaworks (EUR 49,800).
The higher costs of watches from top independent watchmakers are attributed to their meticulous craftsmanship and low production volume. Despite this, I have strived to acquire the most affordable models from renowned brands. This strategy led me to purchase the F.P. Journe Chronomètre Souverain, the De Bethune DB-27 Titan Hawk, the Lang & Heyne Hektor, and the Grönefeld Principia.
Unfortunately, all current models of Grönefeld are unavailable for order, which speaks to the brand's high demand. The order book for the Principia was closed as early as September 2021, but the Grönefeld website does offer a link to join the waitlist, indicating a possibility of reopening the order book once the current orders are fulfilled.
For enthusiasts who are eager to own a Principia, there is some good news. Since March 2022, there has been a significant downtrend in secondary market watch prices. The prices of pre-owned Principia, especially for the salmon dial, have now reached levels close to the list price. This presents a viable option for acquiring a watch from the Horological Brothers without having to wait for new orders to be available.
Overall Assessment
Over the course of waiting for the Principia, I've amassed a wealth of knowledge about it. I had caught a glimpse of it one or two times through fellow watch collectors, heightening my excitement. Once it finally landed in my possession, it certainly did not disappoint. Its dial, a beautiful color that seamlessly transitions from light green to light blue under different lighting, is simply captivating. The watch is lightweight, making it incredibly comfortable to wear, and comes with a soft strap that adds to its appeal.
The movement, or as the Grönefeld brothers like to call it, the "business side" of the watch, is nothing short of stunning and mesmerizing. A friend predicted that my future would be filled with plenty of "louping", and he couldn't have been more accurate. The watch is a striking blend of elegance and functionality. Its precision is commendable, maintaining an accuracy within 2 seconds per day. It truly is a marvelous creation, a testament to the extraordinary craftsmanship of today's leading independent watchmakers.
The Principia stands as a versatile timepiece suitable for daily wear, thanks to its robust build. It serves as an unconventional choice for individuals seeking a dress watch that deviates from classic designs. For watch enthusiasts who frequently rotate their watches, the absence of a date function is a blessing. It is a remarkable conversation piece, with the story of the creator, its rarity, and mesmerizing movement. Above all, the Principia provides an opportunity for wearers to pause their hectic routines and appreciate a beautifully crafted work of art.
I'd like to clarify that the G-06 does not have a hacking feature. This function was once of great importance to me as I used to personally measure timing errors. However, after acquiring a time-grapher, I've found less need for this feature. Moreover, many top watchmakers, such as Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, and F.P. Journe, intentionally exclude a hacking mechanism in order to safeguard the watch movements.
One point of disappointment is that early purchasers of the Principia were gifted with an exclusive Grönefeld-branded gyro-winder upon delivery. Unfortunately, this useful accessory is no longer available for recent buyers. Nevertheless, the same winder can be ordered directly from its manufacturer, Bernard Favre.
The love of watches sure brings folks together. When you're sporting a timepiece that's been handcrafted all the way in Oldenzaal, Netherlands, and keeping tabs on the creators through their Instagram, the world feels a whole lot cozier. Can't wait to shoot out this review to all our newsletter subscribers—I'm stoked to share my joy with you all. Also, I'm totally excited to bring my new watch to the next local watch GTG. Lastly, I hope to have a chance to visit the workshop of Horological Brothers one day, next to a historic church in a charming Dutch town.
What a piece! Enjoy it
Gorgeous and a great article. Congratulations!