Category: Franck Muller Watches
FRANCK MULLER Vanguard Dragon Slim Skeleton
Swiss luxury watchmaker Franck Muller has prepared two special limited-edition models to celebrate the Lunar New Year. The Maison presents the Cintrée Curvex Ryoko Kaneta Dragon alongside three iterations of the Franck Muller Vanguard Dragon Slim Skeleton to welcome the Year of the Dragon.
Created in collaboration with Ryoko Kaneta, a young Japanese artist known for her paintings that depict dreamy and ephemeral landscapes that appear as an extension of cutesy anime-style girls. Dressed in a Tiffany blue, the 33mm-wide timepiece is presented in the Cintrée Curvex’s signature curved tonneau-shaped case.
On the tonal and stamped guilloché dial, the dragon is reinterpreted as 12 individual anthropomorphic, each hiding behind its designated Arabic numeral. In terms of power, the reference is equipped with the MVT FM 2536-SC self-winding movement, which is geared with a bidirectional rotor system and 42 hours of power reserve.
As for the limited-edition Franck Muller Vanguard Dragon Slim Skeleton , the reference is offered in three versions: Rouge, Vert and Color Dreams. Each variant sports a dragon engraving on its caseback along with its namesake hue on the dial. Rouge and Vert are also attired with tinted sapphire crystals on their caseback, meanwhile, Color Dreams features multicolored numerals and a clear caseback. All three colorways arrive in dazzling tonneau-shaped cases set with pavé diamonds, complete with openworked dials that showcase their intricately crafted in-house skeletonized movements.
The Cintrée Curvex Ryoko Kaneta Dragon Limited Edition is limited to 500 examples, while only 10 pieces are produced per colorway for the Vanguard Dragon Slim Skeleton. Both models are released as exclusives for the Asia Pacific region. For more information, visit Franck Muller’s official website.
Franck Muller has unveiled three additional timepieces themed on the mythical dragon in the Vanguard Dragon Slim Skeleton Limited Edition.
Just 10 pieces of each reference will be available exclusively at Franck Muller boutiques in the Asia Pacific region. The Franck Muller Vanguard Dragon Slim Skeleton Rouge and Vanguard Dragon Slim Skeleton Vert are accented in red and green respectively, with the pops of colour coming from their tinted sapphire case backs, as well as infilled hands. The third reference, the Franck Muller Vanguard Dragon Slim Skeleton Color Dreams, comes with a transparent case back, but brings a riot of bright hues to the dial with its indices instead.
Franck Muller Vanguard Color Dreams Loes Van Delft
In the world of luxury watches, a groundbreaking collaboration has emerged, blending Swiss horological precision with Dutch artistic flair. Franck Muller, a master in crafting opulent timepieces, has joined forces with Loes Van Delft, a celebrated artist known for her dynamic and imaginative works, to unveil an extraordinary limited edition: the Franck Muller Vanguard Color Dreams Loes Van Delft collection.
The heart of this collaboration beats within a limited series of 50 pieces, each a marriage of artistry and precision. Encased in a distinctive 43-millimeter titanium frame with black PVD treatment, the Vanguard case houses an automatic movement with a 42-hour power reserve, showcasing Franck Muller’s technical prowess. Yet, the true allure lies in the dial, where Van Delft’s art takes center stage. Her iconic character, “Pjipje,” and artistic signature seamlessly blend with Franck Muller Vanguard Color Dreams Loes Van Delft numerals, forming a vibrant and captivating tableau.
This partnership transcends traditional watchmaking. With each timepiece, buyers receive a 90 x 90 cm art print personally signed by Van Delft, numbered to match the watch, elevating the exclusivity and value of each piece. This commitment underscores a dedication to providing a uniquely personalized and intimate experience for collectors.
Born in 1991, Loes Van Delft has left an indelible mark on contemporary art with her distinctive blend of playfulness and dreamlike elements. A graduate of the St Lucas Art Academy in 2012, she swiftly ascended to prominence, securing the Best Global Artist Award at the Amsterdam International Art Fair the same year. Her works are a journey through her personal universe, reflecting experiences and emotions. This artistic sensitivity is palpable in the collaboration with Franck Muller, where each watch becomes a canvas for her creative expression.
The technical challenge of seamlessly integrating Van Delft’s art into the watches was met with precision. Transferring the artwork onto the dial demanded meticulous horological technique and the careful selection of 26 different colors, showcasing Franck Muller’s commitment to excellence and innovation.
The Franck Muller Vanguard Color Dreams Loes Van Delft collection is a celebration of craftsmanship and creativity, harmonizing Franck Muller’s horological expertise with Loes Van Delft’s artistic universe. This collaboration ushers in a new era where art and functionality converge in a truly exceptional manner.
Franck Muller Curvex CX Piano
This year for the 2023 edition of the World Presentation of Haute Horology (better known simply as WPHH 2023), Franck Muller Curvex CX Piano unveiled an entire shedload of new watches. If I am being completely honest, there are so many new Frank Muller models that it hardly makes sense to attempt to count all of them, although just as a point of reference, the brand’s novelties for 2023 span thirteen different collections, with each one consisting of multiple different colorways and configurations. With the exception of the rather appropriately named “Round” series, which features a traditional circular-shaped profile, all of Franck Muller’s other novelties follow some variation of the brand’s signature tonneau-shaped case; however, the new models span everything from carbon-cased sports models to precious metal dress watches, along with just about everything else in between.
Although I still recommend spending some time browsing through Franck Muller’s website to see the full scope of the brand’s novelties, here’s a quick look at some of the most noteworthy new Franck Muller watches unveiled this year at WPHH 2023.
Up first is the Franck Muller Curvex CX Piano Giga Tourbillon, which is arguably one of the most technically impressive new models from the brand’s new releases unveiled at WPHH 2023. Combining Franck Muller’s refined Curvex CX case with the brand’s sizable 20mm tourbillon, the Curvex CX Giga Tourbillon is available in either stainless steel or solid gold, and it features a movement with four barrels that provide a generous 4-day power reserve, which is tracked by the arc-shaped power reserve indicator that sits at the very top of its dial.
Featuring carbon fiber cases and highly open-worked movements that are inspired by Isaac Newton’s theory on the visible spectrum of light, the Franck Muller Vanguard New Tone Skeleton collection embraces a decidedly modern and colorful overall aesthetic. The bridges of the skeletonized movement are all finished with iridescent metal oxide coatings (known as Spectracoat), and each model from the series is dedicated to a different one of Newton’s primary colors. Additionally, the unique metal oxide finish used on the movement bridges is designed to give the appearance of changing colors depending on the lighting conditions and ambient reflections.
Unlike most of Franck Muller Curvex CX Piano watches that offer a thoroughly bold overall aesthetic, the Curvex CX Piano series embraces a minimalist design ethos to create one of the more refined and dressy models from the brand’s current collection. Based on the elegant curved case profile of the greater Curvex CX lineup, the new Franck Muller Curvex CX Piano showcases a gloss black dial that has been finished with 20 coats of translucent lacquer to provide it with a perfectly smooth, jet-black surface. While the Curvex CX case is still unmistakably one of Franck Muller’s designs, its larger crystal and thinner case walls provide it with a much more refined overall appearance. Additionally, to keep the focus on the glossy finish of its lacquer surface, the dials fitted to the Curvex CX Piano watches are devoid of the large Arabic numeral hour markers that are typically associated with the brand’s design language.
Inspired by the world of high-tech sports cars, the Franck Muller Curvex CX Flash Grand Central Tourbillon offers a thoroughly contemporary take on the brand’s signature aesthetic. Based upon Franck Muller’s ergonomic Franck Muller Curvex CX Piano case profile, the new models place an emphasis on modern alloys and carbon-composite materials, and they feature brightly colored indexes in place of the usual Arabic numerals, with a large one-minute tourbillon prominently displayed directly in the center of the dial.
As an extension to its fan-favorite Vanguard collection, Franck Muller has added new Damascus steel models to the lineup for 2023. While the actual watches themselves are largely the same as the existing models from the series, the real update here is all about the novel material, which has been used to make knives and swords for hundreds of years. Damascus steel is created by forging two different types of steel together in layers to create a unique alloy that is characterized by the natural wavy lines that run throughout its composition. On the new Franck Muller Curvex CX Piano Vanguard Damas watches, not only is the case made from Damascus steel, but the numerals on the dial and even the buckle for the strap are also made from this striking alloy to create a highly cohesive overall appearance.
Franck Muller Vanguard
For those who carry the beach in their hearts no matter where they go, Franck Muller presents the Vanguard Beach, an exclusive collection to Franck Muller Asia Pacific. The bold new collection captures the essence of carefree holidays and endless possibilities by featuring bright and fun colours: ocean blue, fiery red, and summer green. The monochromic timepieces evoke the sea, sand, sun and surf with a splash of sporty chic. In the Vanguard Beach line, Franck Muller demonstrates its mastery over both design and material engineering. Here, the material for the familiar Vanguard watch case has been carefully chosen and constructed in a glass fibre composite, which has been specially tailored to create a pattern of undulating lines reminiscent of ripples in the sand on a beach.
On the 28th of September 2023, the Franck Muller Vanguard Beach Party took place at Singapore’s hottest nightclub, Marquee, recalling carefree holidays and endless possibilities as it marked the launch of the bold new Vanguard Beach collection. Energetic beats from special guest DJ Koflow complemented the vibrant and contemporary essence of the Franck Muller Vanguard Beach in its three bold colours, while guests partied the night away with Nicholas Rudaz, CEO of Franck Muller Geneve, as well as Sharon Lim, CEO of Franck Muller Southeast Asia and Australia. In conjunction with the launch of the Franck Muller Asia Pacific Exclusive Vanguard Beach Collection in Malaysia, Franck Muller has partnered with Here & Now, a modern tiki-themed cocktail bar by embracing a brand takeover concept. This collaboration includes an immersive setup designed to highlight the narrative behind the collection. Indulge in the limited-edition Vanguard Beach Set and specially curated cocktails, capturing the vibrant colors of this collection. The Vanguard Beach is available in three different colors: ocean blue, fiery red and summer green, an exclusive collection to Franck Muller Asia Pacific.
Joining in on the celebration of the Year of the Rabbit, Franck Muller Vanguard Beach and #FR2 have partnered for a very special release — the #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard watch, which marks the very first collaboration between the edgy, Tokyo-based streetwear label, and luxury Swiss horologer.
Reimagining Franck Muller’s signature Vanguard watch with #FR2’s iconic aesthetics, the resulting piece is an amalgamation between Japanese street fashion and avant-garde elegance. Presented in a high-contrast, monochromatic design, the special-edition timepiece retains the model’s hallmarked appliqué indices and technical specifications. As a nod to the streetwear label, the 7 o’clock hour marker is replaced with #FR2’s provocative Fxxking Rabbits motif. The motif, along with the skeletonized obelisk hands are also coated in Super-Luminova for a glow-in-the-dark effect.
A first for the brand, the tonneau-shaped case is constructed with carbon and glass fiber composite, which will be exclusive to Southeast Asia-exclusive models. Due to the nature of the material and its manufacturing process, every case will boast slightly different patterns and striations, making every watch unique. Additionally, the white nylon strap is emblazoned with co-branding in #FR2’s iconic font as a final touch.
The # Franck Muller Vanguard Beach watch is produced in a limited run of 800 pieces and will be available for purchase today, exclusively for Southeast Asia and Australia. For more information, visit Franck Muller’s official website.
Franck Muller #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard
To celebrate the Year of the Rabbit, Swiss luxury watch brand Franck Muller and Tokyo-based streetwear label #FR2 have jointly unveiled a new model called the #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard. This marks the first collaboration between the two brands. This edgy, fashion-forward timepiece comes with a dial anchored by #FR2’s iconoclastic rabbit motif, sitting amid the signature numerals and tonneau case of Franck Muller. #FR2, also known as Fxxking Rabbits, was founded by Ryo Ishikawa, who’s perhaps best known for founding fashion imprint Vanquish. Following its establishment in 2014, #FR2 quickly attracted a following with its signature rabbit and “Smoking Kills” motifs, as well as its products’ bold photographic prints.
The #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard bridges Swiss luxury watchmaking and Japanese street fashion by melding the elements from each universe and complete with its creators’ signature touches.
This is immediately apparent on the dial, where Franck Muller’s timeless yet avant-garde aesthetic has taken on street style sensibilities. A matte white dial base starts things off by establishing a high key aesthetic, upon which black hands, markings, and appliqué indices lie. At seven o’clock of the monochromatic dial, Franck Muller has placed #FR2’s provocative Fxxking Rabbits motif in lieu of hour markers, with one rabbit’s red eye providing the sole spot of colour on the dial.
Super-Luminova has been selectively applied such that the skeletonised obelisk hands, indices and graphical motif leap out from the dial in the absence of light. The tonneau-shaped Vanguard case has been rendered in a new carbon and glass fibre composite – a first for the brand, and one that will be reserved for Southeast Asia-exclusive models only. Thanks to random variations in combining carbon powder and glass, every watch case will offer a unique pattern of striations.
The white nylon strap has been emblazoned with black text in a typographic style that will be familiar to street fashion aficionados.
Just in time to herald the impending Year of the Rabbit, Franck Muller and Tokyo-based streetwear label #FR2 have jointly unveiled the #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard. This marks the first collaboration between the two brands, and sees Franck Muller adopting the distinctive design language of #FR2 on its trademark Vanguard watch. The result is an edgy, fashion-forward timepiece with a dial anchored by #FR2’s iconoclastic rabbit motif, sitting a mid the signature numerals and tonneau case of Franck Muller. The #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard bridges Swiss luxury watchmaking and Japanese street fashion by melding the elements from each universe, complete with its creators’ signature touches. This is immediately apparent on the dial, where Franck Muller’s timeless yet avant-garde aesthetic has taken on street style sensibilities. A matte white dial base starts things off by establishing a high key aesthetic, upon which black hands, markings, and appliqué indices lie.
The high contrast, monochromatic look comes complete with a delightful quirk at seven o’clock. Here, Franck Muller has situated #FR2’s provocative Fxxking Rabbits motif in lieu of hour markers, with one rabbit’s red eye providing the sole spot of colour on the dial. In the dark, the #FR2NCKMULLER Vanguard also offers an idiosyncratic twist. Super-Luminova has been selectively applied such that the skeletonised obelisk hands, indices and graphical motif leap out from the dial in the absence of light. The stark, bold design extends to the rest of the watch. This includes Franck Muller’s tonneau-shaped Vanguard case, which has been rendered in a new carbon and glass fibre composite – a first for the brand, and one that will be reserved for Southeast Asia – exclusive models only. To create the light yet strong material, carbon powder and glass fibres are combined, before the resulting mass is impregnated with a bonding resin. The mixture is then baked at 150 degrees Celsius for three hours under 200 tons of pressure, to finally yield a composite that can then be machined into the necessary components. Due to random variations in how the mix are compressed, every watch case will offer a unique pattern of striations. The final touch here is the white nylon strap, which has been emblazoned with black text in a typographic style that will be familiar to street fashion aficionados. Franck Muller’s work with #FR2 is a rare example of the Swiss watchmaker’s collaboration with external brands, which has been limited to a small, select group of partners. “#FR2’s founder Ryo Ishikawa isn’t just an iconic figure in Tokyo’s streetwear scene,” shares Sharon Lim, CEO of Franck Muller SEA. “As the creative force behind Fxxking Rabbits, he has adopted a muti-disciplinary approach to his label’s creations while maintaining a fiercely independent spirit. These are values that we believe in and identify with at Franck Muller, which makes this Southeast Asia Exclusive a natural collaboration. Of course, the product that we have come up with speaks to that.”
Franck Muller Vanguard Snowflake
Pour ces moments festifs et magiques que sont les fêtes de fin d’année, la Maison Franck Muller enrichit sa collection iconique avec la Vanguard Snowflake.
Cette magnifique Franck Muller Vanguard Snowflake se pare d’éléments délicats. Le cadran estampillé soleil est orné de flocons de neige en relief appliqués, en or rose ou en couleur argent, selon les matériaux du boîtier. Ces flocons de neige sont délicatement découpés et sont tous uniques sur le cadran, comme dans la réalité.
Pour souligner la beauté de cette collection, les chiffres du cadran ont été délicatement remplacés par onze diamants éparpillés, visant à donner la sensation d’une véritable chute de neige à l’intérieur du garde-temps. Le chiffre 12 est le seul entièrement représenté pour symboliser le mois de décembre, lorsque les premières neiges arrivent.
Dotée d’un mouvement à remontage automatique, la Franck Muller Vanguard Snowflake est disponible en acier inoxydable et en or rose, sertie ou non de diamants à la main. Elle est complétée par l’emblématique bracelet en alligator d’un blanc nacré scintillant sous le soleil d’hiver.
When we saw Kingston Chu’s rose gold Vanguard at the opening of the Franck Muller Sydney boutique in October, we knew we had to get a closer look. Here was a Franck Muller unlike any we’d encountered before: lightweight and sporty, yet still boldly designed with the trademark curves. So when we had the opportunity to spend some time with the Vanguard, we jumped at it.
Fans of Franck will be unsurprised to learn that there’s a profusion of Vanguard models available. A quick tally of the brand’s website shows 27 different models, in both time-only and chronograph versions, cased in a diverse range of materials from red gold and titanium right up to carbon fibre and full diamond set options. Really, there’s a Vanguard for everyone – and after careful deliberation we’ve found ours: reference V45 SC DT TT NR BR ER. Sexy, no? But clunky nomenclature aside, there’s a lot we like about this watch.
First up, the curvex case. While the distinctive shape remains, its execution in black PVD-treated titanium with crimson highlights makes the piece feel more dystopian than deco. In our opinion, the best thing about this case design is the broad, curved crystal, which really opens up the dial, allowing you to read it quickly, and inspect the detail closely. And it certainly holds up to such close examination with its hand-finished applied Arabic numerals detailed in red, which really makes them stand out against the dark, brushed dial. It also features compass bearings around the rehaut, though besides keeping things interesting, we feel it’s an unnecessary addition.
One of best things about this Franck Muller Vanguard Snowflake watch (and indeed any Franck Muller curvex) is the case profile. In this instance the middle case section and crown are finished in vivid red, which looks very cool against the matte black of the rest of the watch. The strap, in a mix of leather and rubber, is also seamlessly integrated into the case thanks to hidden screws, and the double fold deployant clasp neatly echoes the case shape. The Vanguard collection as a whole is a refreshingly contemporary take on Franck Muller’s classic design, and this particular reference stands out. The combination of colours and the technical finishes make this Vanguard a sporty, stealthy, almost sinister timepiece – and we mean that in the best way possible.
Franck Muller Vanguard Racing Skeleton
Since Franck Muller first introduced the Vanguard series over five years ago, the collection has leapt forward and become the platform on which new and bold developments are launched. The Franck Muller Vanguard Racing Skeleton collection also introduced a new era for the brand, as it moved away from jewellery-centric watches and re-established itself as a fine watchmaking manufacture. Along with the Vanguard, we saw new chronograph models emerge, as well as impressive oversized tourbillons, and delightful revivals of classic Franck Muller complications such as the Crazy Hours. The Vanguard collection reminded the industry at large that Franck Muller was one of the first watchmakers to place the tourbillon on the front of the watch dial, rather than keep it at the back of the movement as with traditional watchmaking. In many ways, his work introduced an era of dynamic high watchmaking to be shown off on the dial.
On the eve of its 30th anniversary, the brand continues to expand on its Vanguard series, with a new model, the Racing Skeleton, hitting stores this quarter. The watch sets the Vanguard collection’s bold and definitive looks in the style of a motorsport-inspired machine, delivering a sexy timepiece with hidden chassis enhancements that are not immediately evident at first glance.
At the heart of the Franck Muller Vanguard Racing Skeleton is the FM 2800-DT movement, a three-hand caliber that’s a foundation movement used previously in other Vanguard Racing models. The movement is fully skeletonised this time around and visible through the front of the watch, which has a secondary see-through crystal within the watch showing the central seconds and the gear train that lies underneath.
The watch differs from other past Franck Muller Vanguard Racing Skeleton models such as the Grande Date or Gravity. A central seconds ring, which supports the seconds display at the centre of the dial and under which a skeletonised date display rests, is attached to the case via the hour markers, which alternate between angled bars and cut-out Arabic numerals. The movement sits below this layer, with four bridges that support and protect it against shock and are screwed to the back.
While the hour and minute hands run in pretty much the same way, the seconds hand is a different matter altogether. The start of the seconds run is at six o’clock rather than 12, much like the speedometer of a vehicle. This reposition may not seem like much, but it has a very significant effect when it comes to looking at the watch. For example, the minute shift that takes place as the seconds hand passes “59” now occurs at the base of the dial rather than the top, and the date jump is similarly scheduled.
Four case variations are available, in rose gold, steel, carbon or titanium. The watch has a suede strap with a rubberised back, which is also attached to the watch case via two screws rather than a standard spring bar. Thus, the strap appears to merge into the case, rather than sit around it, giving it a seamless appearance in design. Motoring enthusiasts will find this a charming addition to their collection.
Franck Muller X BWD Crazy Hours Snoopy
“Yesterday I was a dog. Today I’m a dog. Tomorrow I’ll probably still be a dog. Sigh! There’s so little hope for advancement.” These words were uttered by Snoopy, the iconic but ultimately fictional dog who’s a product of cartoonist Charles Schulz’s wonderful imagination. But little did the wisest of wise canines know what would be in store for him when querying the “probably” mundane fate of his future days.
The myth of Snoopy being anything close to a modest dog has long since been dispelled when he and his Peanuts gang became household names and their globally recognised faces splashed over all kinds of merchandise and movies. That said, even Snoopy will scarcely believe his next adventure, but when it comes to George Bamford, hope for advancement is always an option. Anything can be possible, like Snoopy waving his arms around a magnificently complicated watch.
Yes, Franck Muller is the latest watchmaker to translate its fondness for Charlie Brown’s trusty old mate into a timepiece and the design is certainly Snoppy’s most active yet. Indeed, while his body is stationary on the captivating, super-luminova ringed black dial, his arms are dancing around the dial. Why? Because Bamford and Franck Muller have chosen the Franck Muller Crazy Hours Cintrée Curvex model for this limited-edition piece.
Anyone who loves Franck Muller – Cristiano Ronaldo and Kanye West to name a few – will know the Crazy Hours is crazy because despite the numerals not being in 1-12 clockwise order as you’d expect them to be, the model’s mechanical movement magically allows the hour hand to jump from one hour to the next in the correct order, thus telling the correct time and keeping Snoppy active every hour. And anyone nuts about Peanuts is in for another treat: Woodstock also pops up twice on the dial, the cheeky little bird, to keep his best friend company.
On the technical side of things, the watch houses a MVD FM 2800-CHR, self-winding movement with bi-directional rotor system, which is capable of producing 42 hours of power reserve with the balance wheel frequency set at 28,800 alternations per hour. That’s legit. The case is 39.6mm of hunky matte black stainless steel and is hand brushed for good measure with a rhodium plating. It’s very easy to call something unique but this watch truly warrants being dubbed one of a kind. Or at least one of 25, as that’s how many it’s been limited to.
All being said though, we’d expect nothing less when two such powerhouses as Franck Muller and George Bamford collaborate. Hats off to them.
Bamford Watch Department has brought its obsession with Snoopy to a monochrome 25-piece limited edition transformation of Franck Muller’s Crazy Hours.
The world’s most famous beagle graces the dial with his arms forming the hour and minute hands but, this being a Crazy Hours, the hour hand progresses in an erratic jumping manner, keeping track of out-of-sequence arrangement of hour markers. Snoopy is also surrounded by concentric luminous loops which put an after-hours spotlight on the pooch.
Woodstock also appears twice on the dial, perched on the 10 and six o’clock numerals.
“Working on the Franck Muller Crazy Hours watch has been so much fun,” says George Bamford, founded of Bamford Watch Department. “I cannot stop smiling when I look at this watch as there are so many cool elements to it. Adding Snoopy to this crazy dial and using his arms to point to the numerals is amazing. I love using the iconic concentric circular pattern around Snoopy, and what takes this watch to the next level is the luminous effect used on the dial.”
The case itself is a matte black coated stainless steel, while the watch is secured on a black fabric strap.
Franck Muller Crazy Hours 30th Anniversary
Franck Muller celebrates its 30th Anniversary with the iconic Crazy Hours complication. The new timepiece combines iconic symbols such as the famous color dreams numerals, hologram numbers on the dial and the Crazy Hours complication. Featured in its perfectly curved Cintrée Curvex case, being the brand’s most distinctive silhouette, the Crazy Hours 30th is flawlessly offering emotions to the owner though its clever and complex mechanism and beautiful dial.
The Franck Muller Crazy Hours 30th Anniversary , the most emblematic Franck Muller timepiece, features a wonderful mechanical movement that allows the hour hand to cleverly jump from one hour to the next in the correct order. Thus, to read the time, simply take note of the number indicated by the hour hand, while the minutes hand follows a traditional 60-minute cycle.The Crazy Hours 30th Anniversary presents a new redesigned dial where the hour numbers are off-centered, resulting in a complete work of art. The stamped guilloché with sun pattern and hologram numbers marks Franck Muller anniversary with the number thirty hand-set with 20 brilliant-cut diamonds.
Available in different sizes such as the 5850, 7880 or 8880, the dial will also be colorful with the emblematic hand-painted color dreams numbers, the royal blue dial or the deep burgundy dial.
Franck Muller celebrates its 30th Anniversary with the iconic Crazy Hours complication. We are pleased to present a new timepiece combining iconic symbols such as the famous color dreams numerals, hologram numbers on the dial and the Crazy Hours complication. Featured in its perfectly curved Cintrée Curvex
case, being the brand’s most distinctive silhouette, the Franck Muller Crazy Hours 30th Anniversary is flawlessly offering emotions to the owner though its clever and complex mechanism and beautiful dial.
The Crazy Hours, the most emblematic Franck Muller timepiece, is a watch like no other, where you can immediately notice the untraditional order of the numerals. You may wonder : how to read the time? The collection features a wonderful mechanical movement that allows the hour hand to cleverly jump from one hour to the next in the correct order.
Thus, to read the time, simply take note of the number indicated by the hour hand, while the minutes hand follows a traditional 60-minute cycle. A new philosophy of time where you wait impatiently for the 59th minute of each hour, hypnotized by the jump of the hour hand.
The Franck Muller Crazy Hours 30th Anniversary presents a new redesigned dial where the hour numbers are off-centered, resulting in a complete work of art. The stamped guilloché with sun pattern and hologram numbers marks Franck Muller anniversary with the number thirty hand-set with 20 brilliant-cut diamonds.
Available in different sizes such as the 5850, 7880 or 8880, the dial will also be colorful with the emblematic hand-painted color dreams numbers, the royal blue dial or the deep burgundy dial.
Franck Muller Grand Central Tourbillon
Franck Muller introduces the Franck Muller Grand Central Tourbillon, with the tourbillon right in the middle of the guilloché dial, housed in the signature Cintrée Curvex case. Three case options are offered – in 18k white gold, 18k rose gold and in titanium, each with their own dial colour.
The Franck Muller Cintrée Curvex is a signature of the maison since 1991. The first watch designed by Franck Muller the watchmaker was a tourbillon in 1983/4, and with this latest introduction, the maison reintroduces its original avant garde flair in an all new grand central tourbillon.
The Grand Central Tourbillon is the world’s first centre tourbillon in a tonneau-shaped case. The result of over a year of industrious research and development: the tourbillon moves from the traditional 6 o’clock position into the centre of the dial. The Grand Central Tourbillon’s hour and minute hands are placed around the central tourbillon cage, drawing attention to the complexity of the movement within.
The tourbillon itself is suspended by a single bridge—which is also shaped to indicate the seconds—and is elevated above the rest of the dial.
While conventionally, a standard minute tourbillon has a cage directly driven by the third wheel, which in turn is driven by the second wheel. As the second wheel’s usual location is right in the middle of the movement, having to place the carriage’s pivot in the center presented a specific challenge.
The tourbillon rotates in its carriage with a single triangular shaped arm which acts as the seconds hand. The tourbillon is also raised from the curved dial. Inspired by the Clous de Paris pattern, the Grand Central Tourbillon’s dial features a new guilloché with a spiral effect that accentuates the rotational movement of the centre tourbillon.
The instantly recognisable Cintrée Curvex case has long been synonymous with Franck Muller Grand Central Tourbillon for nearly three decades and remains an icon to this day. Available in a variety of metals from titanium to white gold, the case measures 40.16 mm in width, 58.70 mm in length and 16.63 mm in thickness.
The galvanised brass guilloché dial is painstakingly coated with 20 layers of translucent lacquer, topped off by Franck Muller’s signature oversized art deco indices, carefully applied by hand. The watch wears large, housing the massive complication and providing enough depth for the curved sapphire crystal. Considering how the glass is angled, it may take some getting used to the reflectiveness and distortion of view from certain angles for those new to the curvex design.
While there is no doubt the central tourbillon is a complication in its own right, the complication to relocate it to the center yields little benefit from a time telling technical perspective. Then again, the whole spiel of a more accurate time keeping using a tourbillon is controversial as well. Ultimately, a tourbillon timepiece is an aesthetic pursuit and that should limit the scope of one’s judgement of this timepiece.
Overall, the watch bears hallmarks of a well made, hand finished haute horologerie timepiece, with an eye capturing central tourbillon floating above the dial. It’s undoubtedly a love it or hate it watch, considering the case shape and loud size, which makes it hard for anyone to sit on the fence about it. Other central tourbillons available today are the De Ville Master Chronometer Tourbillon by Omega and Beat Haldimann’s H1 Flying Central Tourbillon introduced in 2002. Beat claimed his was the first flying central tourbillon which hovered over the dial.
Being the first seems to be an important thing for many brands, and for Franck Muller Grand Central Tourbillon , it also claims to be the first with the specific combination of a central tourbillon in a tonneau shaped case, and we believe this is a true statement.