Dutch watchmakers Bart and Tim Grönefeld have presented the 1941 Quadrivium, a new complicated timepiece that brings together a 7.5-second remontoire, a one-minute flying tourbillon, central jumping seconds and a power-reserve indicator in a newly developed movement.
The name Quadrivium refers to the four disciplines of classical scholarship—arithmetic, geometry, music and astronomy—which were traditionally regarded as interconnected fields of study.
Here, the term is applied to the four mechanical complications brought together in the watch, drawing on technical concepts associated with several of Grönefeld’s earlier creations, including the One Hertz, Parallax Tourbillon and Remontoire.
The 1941 Quadrivium is housed in the brand’s 1941 case design, first introduced in 2016 and subsequently used for watches including the Remontoire, Principia, Decennium and Grönograaf.
The case measures 40.0 mm in diameter and 11.3 mm in height.
The dial is structured around the four complications. A raised one-minute flying tourbillon occupies the 6 o’clock position, while an exposed governor at 9 o’clock rotates once every 7.5 seconds as part of the remontoire mechanism.
Central jumping seconds provide a direct indication of the seconds, while the 50-hour power-reserve indicator is positioned at 10 o’clock. Hours and minutes are displayed at 2 o’clock.
The dial combines a finely frosted main surface with hand-bevelled stainless steel elements and polished, multi-faceted white gold hour markers.
Blued steel hands complete the design. Five base colours will be offered for the dial, with the specific colours to be announced by Grönefeld at a later date.
The movement has been developed specifically for the 1941 Quadrivium and comprises 473 components.
Its energy is supplied by two concentric barrels connected in series, providing the power required to drive the four complications.
The movement architecture is visible through a sapphire exhibition case back, with its finishing forming an integral part of the watch’s visual presentation.
The remontoire operates at 7.5-second intervals, while the central seconds hand advances in one-second jumps.
The watch also incorporates a hacking-seconds function, with the tourbillon stopping when it reaches the 60-second position to allow the time to be set precisely.
The 1941 Quadrivium will be produced in two limited editions of 28 pieces each.
The Première Edition features a tantalum case and matching buckle, while the second edition uses platinum for both components.
The Grönefeld 1941 Quadrivium retails at €280,000 in tantalum and €310,000 in platinum, excluding taxes. Deliveries of the tantalum Première Edition are scheduled to begin in 2027. gronefeld.com
