Franck Muller, Master of Tourbillons, has experimented with the complication in all forms. From the most compact, to the fastest, and even the largest on a wristwatch, the watchmaker has set records and new standards for the tourbillon.

The Grand Central Tourbillon is its latest take on this classic device. It sets the tourbillon  at the  heart of the newly  updated, tonneau-shaped Cintrée Curvex CX  case. To  create these  new  references,  the technical and artistic teams at Franck Muller worked  in  tandem  to design a display that would integrate the movement perfectly.

A little different

In order to achieve a sophisticated, legible display, the movement of the Grand Central Tourbillon is fitted to the curved case middle. With a single bridge supporting the tourbillon and elevating it above the dial, the openworked discs that display time are stacked around the rotating carriage of the  tourbillon.  This  “invisible”  display  of  time  is  not  only  ingenious,but  requires  a  complete redesign of the gear train.

Once its engineers at Watchland had perfected the design of this unique tourbillon movement, they challenged  themselves  to  transform  its  physical  footprint  further  to  develop  new  versions  of  the Grand Central Tourbillon, with the same robust performance and bold aesthetics of the original. At  WPHH  2022,  Franck  Muller  introduces a new  variation  of  the  Grand  Central  Tourbillon,  in  a 36mm Cintrée Curvex  CX  case  that’s  suited  forbothladies  and  gentlemen.  The  Grand  Central Tourbillon Cintrée Curvex  CX  36  comes  in eight references,  including  three  diamond-set  models and five non-jewelled versions.

They are equipped with the self-winding FM CX 36T-CTR, powered by a sunray-brushed eccentric gold micro-rotor that provides 4 days of reserve power and a large central tourbillon running at a leisurely 18,000 vph.

New cases and dials

The instantly recognisable Cintrée Curvex case has long been synonymous with Franck Muller for nearly three decades, capturing the hearts and minds of aficionados and admirers alike. This year, the iconic Cintrée Curvex case has been remarkably redesigned. An edge-to-edge, curved sapphire crystal extends fully across the display to the lugs for improved visibility.  This  is  possible  thanks  to  a  newly  perfected  technique  of fixing  the  glass  at  12 o’clock and  6  o’clock,  creatinga  bigger  display throughwhich  the  Grand  Central  Tourbillon  can  now  be admired.

Furthermore,  the Cintrée Curvex  CX’s  bezel  is  separate  from  its  case,  allowing  for beautiful two-tone treatments and highlighting the sensuous curves of the watch. The new Grand Central Tourbillon models all possess a stamped guilloché dial with a Clous de Paris pattern in different colours. The Grand Central Tourbillon CX 36 is available in white and rose gold, and carboncases, as well as diamond-set models on the outer and inner bezels; all with oversized, applied hour markers, and galvanised guilloché dials coated with 20 layers of translucent lacquer to create a glistening, hypnotic display.

Learn more at the official Franck Muller website here.

(Source: Franck Muller)