T the watchmaking industry prides itself on tradition and heritage, so when an unconventional watchmaker comes into the scene to shake things up, it’s likely to cause a bit of a stir. And no one other name draws as much attention in the world of Haute Horlogerie as Franck Muller.
The Swiss watchmaker revolutionised the world of Haute timepieces with its daring designs and innovative approach to movement that forever brought a shift to the watch industry. Founded in 1991, the brand is known as the “Master of Complications”. Its founder, Franck Muller first rose to acclaim in the early 1980s when he presented his first series of wrist watches showcasing distinctively unique movements that he invented himself.
Besides the ingenuity of its designs, Franck Muller stays true to the notions of Swiss engineering and craftsmanship that makes its timepieces sought after by the world’s glitterati. Elton John, Gianni Versace, Paris Hilton and athletes such as David Beckham and Christiano Ronaldo are all fans of the luxury timepieces.
Franck Muller recently rolled out exclusive collections for the Southeast Asian market, here’s a quick look at the unique timepieces.
Round Rainbow Skeleton
The Round Skeleton collection is a classic of the brand and this unique unisex version gives off a Rock and Roll aura. Featuring a 1740-RS calibre and the FM 1740, the house’s most reliable movement, all finished intricately by hand. This gem-set version with a rainbow bezel features 48-baguette-cut, multi-coloured gems from pink sapphires to rubies in 42mm.
The Vanguard 7 Days Power Reserve Skeleton Colour Dreams 43mm
Possibly one of its most audaciously designed timepieces, the Vanguard 7 Days Power Reserve Skeleton is the perfect showcase of Franck Muller’s creativity. The first ever Colour Dreams watch was born in 2000, highlighting a striking rainbow display and oversized hour markers that have come to be a signature of the brand.
The Vanguard 7 Days Power Reserve Skeleton Colour Dreams comes in a lightweight carbon fibre case and a skeletonised movement. Vivid colours take centre stage on the electroplated FM 1740-VS movement components. For this piece, the movement has been adjusted to a smaller mid-sized 43mm compared to the original 45mm of the first Vanguard pieces, so that it sits elegantly on the wrist to enhance its beautifully sculpted edges.
The Vanguard Rose Skeleton Black Diamonds
First introduced in 2021, the Vanguard Rose is a testament that Franck Muller does elegant and romantic pieces just as well as the brand’s edgier works. This version comes in a black PVD treatment on a white gold case and movement bridges with 422 brilliant-cut diamonds on the case and 75 brilliant-cut gems on the dial.
Running on just 153 components, the entire gear train can be viewed from the front and back of the watch. The floral decorations on the bridges are chamfered by hand, satin-finished and enamelled layer by layer to bring out their rich colour. In true Franck Muller style, a tiny seconds counter sits discreetly on top of the enamel rose at six o’clock, a delightful detail that any watch collector would swoon for.