GRØNE Brothers Join The Accessible Luxury Bandwagon With MANUEEL ONE
3 min read
Tim and Bart Grönefeld, renowned as the GRØNE Boys or GRØNE Brothers by friends, have introduced a new watch brand, GRØNE, with a fresh vision inspired by Gen Z. Known for their technical expertise, they now seek to offer luxury watches at a more accessible price while keeping the brand’s passionate watchmaking tradition alive. Their first release, the GRØNE MANUEEL ONE—nicknamed Sjef’s One—pays homage to their father, Sjef Grönefeld, honoring both their heritage and their dedication to craft.
The GRØNE MANUEEL ONE draws its aesthetic from the Grönefeld 1941 case, a signature design seen in their celebrated Remontoire and Principia models. With a 38.5mm diameter and a slim 9mm profile, the stainless steel case offers a sleek, polished look. “An evolution of the 1941 case design, the bezel of the Manueel One has dome surfaces between the lugs but is concave on the side of the case. The crown is very conical, which makes it more comfortable while winding. It has the GRØNE Brothers logo, signifying the two brothers,” the duo explains.
The watch's tremblage salmon dial sits at the center, bordered by a two-step brushed rhodium-plated dial, precisely diamond-cut and finished in maillechort, a traditional nickel-copper-zinc alloy. The diamond-cut hour markers, each meticulously hand-applied with overhanging tips, create a layered, dimensional effect above the salmon center. Additionally, the metallic GRØNE logo adds a three-dimensional element, while inscriptions of “Oldenzaal,” “Manueel,” and “Netherlands” are elegantly printed in the same vibrant blue as the hands, adding cohesion to the design.
A scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides covers the dial, while the movement inside is powered by the Swiss-made, manual-winding SW210 caliber. Known for its reliable construction, the caliber has been adjusted by the brothers to achieve their ideal torque and winding feel. This caliber also includes a hacking seconds feature, enhancing its precision.
The solid caseback, a striking choice, bears an engraving of a 1626 map of Oldenzaal, with the Grönefeld logo pinpointing their atelier’s current location. Each line of the map had to be redrawn in miniature to achieve the desired effect. For the Grönefeld brothers, this choice holds deep meaning, as it’s a tribute to their roots in Oldenzaal and to the legacy of three generations of watchmaking in the family. The Manueel One’s caseback allows collectors to carry a piece of Oldenzaal’s history with them, honoring the brand’s heritage with every wear.
Coming to the most important aspect of the watch-the price. Priced at 2,130 euros, the Manueel One is a steal. But is price the only factor? While Grönefeld watches have been celebrated for their exclusivity and pricey nature, one has to wonder does a SW 210 caliber justify the exceptional values the brand stands for? Has price become such an important factor for brands that the very soul of the watch, that is, its movement and inner workings can be compromised? Are legacy brands such as Grönefeld diluting their legacy in their bid to appeal to a younger audience? Or is this a welcome change? Will owning an entry level timepiece inspire a budding collector to dive deeper into the fascinating waters of horology? Can this act as a stepping stone to a more vibrant and fresher audience that enhances rather than dilutes the snobby watch community? What direction this will take, only time will tell.
