Grönefeld Releases its First Ladies’ Watch, the 1944 Tanfana

Accomplished third-generation Dutch watchmakers Tim and Bart Grönefeld released their first watch in 2008, a complex minute repeater and tourbillon that set the tone for the brand’s trajectory. Trained in Switzerland, the Horological Brothers set up their atelier in their hometown, Oldenzaal, and are renowned for their reduced but horologically rich offering of exquisite handmade watches. Marking a first for the brand, Grönefeld releases its first ladies’ watch, an automatic three-hand model: the 1944 Tanfana. Named after a local pagan goddess whose temple once stood close to Oldenzaal, the 1944 reference honours the year of their mother’s birth. Presented in a red gold case set with diamonds and a scintillating blue aventurine dial, the three-hand automatic 1944 Tanfana features materials never before featured on a Grönefeld timepiece.

The compact and feminine 37.5mm red gold case has a thickness of 10.5mm and is set with 233 brilliant-cut diamonds (2.73 carats) with an aventurine cabochon in the crown. Tracing the elegant contours of the polished case, different-size diamonds have been set in the lugs, the lower part of the case middle, the bezel and the buckle. Viewed from the side, you can see how the diamonds emphasise the profile of the hollowed-out lugs and case middle. Fans of Grönefeld will recognise the case as a more compact version of the 1941 Principia released in 2018, the brand’s first automatic three-hand model.

The sparkling blue aventurine dial is decorated with a series of interconnected ‘flower of life’ motifs, adding texture and depth. The elegant trapezoid hour indices are crafted in red gold, matching the material of the extended lance-shaped hands. Framed in red gold, the small seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock replaces the traditional seconds hand with an animated blue floral motif that rotates, creating a mesmerising moiré effect.

The automatic movement powering this watch, calibre G-06, is similar to the one powering the Principia, an adaptation of a base movement made by Andreas Strehler’s UhrTeil AG manufacture. While it might be the ‘simplest’ movement in Grönefeld’s repertory, it comes with sophisticated solutions like a variable-inertia balance wheel and a free-sprung balance spring. The openworked 22k red gold rotor that winds the mainspring for a 56-hour power reserve bears a round white gold medallion engraved with the Tree of Life and the words ‘Goddess’ and ‘Tanfana’ in relief. Decorated to the demanding standards of the brand, the signature peripheral stainless steel bridges with micro-blasted surfaces allow a clear view of the finishings, including gleaming hand-bevelled edges, solid gold chatons and decorative spotting on the mainplate.

The Grönefeld 1944 Tanfana can be paired with various straps (currently five on the website) secured to the wrist with the diamond-set pin buckle. The watch retails for EUR 118,000 (excl. tax). For more information, please consult gronefeld.com.