THE WORLD OF GRÖNEFELD
Bart and Tim Grönefeld
The Grönefeld family has a watchmaking history spanning over more than a century, the foundations of which were established in 1912 by Johan Grönefeld. This legacy is now managed by the third generation, The Horological Brothers Bart and Tim Grönefeld. They made it their mission to build elegant timepieces with surprising mechanisms that belong to the best in the world.
Watchmaking flows through the veins of Bart and Tim, the third generation of Grönefeld watchmakers to live and work in Oldenzaal. It is this place which infuses Grönefeld timepieces with their unique character. The brothers continue to perpetuate a horological history harking back to 1912, perfectly illustrating there is no substitute for experience.
Sjef, Netty, Bart and Tim
Joseph Albertus Johannes Grönefeld
Johan Heinrich Gerhard Louis Grönefeld
Grönefeld Shop Oldenzaal
Grönefeld uses the most time-honoured techniques during the creation of its revered timepieces. “We don’t go for easy solutions, but embrace technical challenges to ultimately deliver the best solutions. We want our watches to be complex yet reliable and we design them accordingly.”
We are passionate about our craft and complement each other seamlessly. Together, we collaborate remarkably well to create some of the most beautiful watches in the world.
In our own way, we are perpetuating a family tradition that began in 1912. We studied with the finest watchmakers in Europe and returned home to combine our strengths. It is a great privilege to share our passion for life.
Bartholomeus Albertus Johannes Grönefeld, ‘Bart’, was born in 1969. After concluding his studies at technical school in Oldenzaal, Bart travelled to Rotterdam and attended a school for watch technicians. Later, he travelled to Switzerland and trained at the world-renowned watchmaking school Wostep, Neuchâtel. After leaving Wostep, the bright lights of London beckoned and Bart worked for Asprey, the prestigious jewellers. One year later, he returned to Wostep, keen to advance his understanding of complicated watches.
Each day he would work with a talented group of artisans on minute repeaters, chronographs and grande-sonneries. Later, his younger brother, Tim, joined him in Switzerland at Renaud et Papi.
Tim Lambertus Joseph Grönefeld, simply ‘Tim’ to his friends, was born on the 12th March 1972. His career path took a similar route to his older brother’s. After leaving the same technical school as Bart in Oldenzaal, he attended Vakschool in Schoonhoven, a further education establishment for training watch technicians.Tim, chose to follow his older brother and also travelled to Switzerland.
It did not take long for Tim to show his watchmaking prowess. He soon assumed responsibility for the training of other watchmakers. Moreover, he was also placed in charge of the assembly of tourbillons and regulator escapements, playing a key role in the quality control of complicated movements.
Making the best watches in the world. We love every aspect of it. Coming up with new ideas together, bringing them to life in a design that captures the imagination, working with infinite patience to achieve perfection: it is a blessing to be able to work together every day with so much pleasure.
the horological brothers
Bart Making the best watches in the world. We love every aspect of it. Coming up with new ideas together, bringing them to life in a design that captures the imagination, working with infinite patience to achieve perfection: it is a blessing to be able to work together every day with so much pleasure.
the horological brothers
