Franck Muller Showcases its Grand Complications at WPHH 2024

From Cintrée Curvex to Vanguard variants, the latest Franck Muller WPHH offerings underscore the brand’s dedication to precision and innovative design
 Franck Muller Showcases its Grand Complications at WPHH 2024
April 13, 2024
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 Franck Muller Showcases its Grand Complications at WPHH 2024

Franck Muller, often referred to as the "Master of Complications”, is well known for its inventive and intricate watch designs. Showcasing daring contemporary features, Franck Muller watches are distinguished by their curved casings, which are frequently seen in Cintrée Curvex models. Use of vivid, quirky numerals is also part of the brand’s design oeuvre. At the World Presentation of Haute Horlogerie (WPHH) 2024 in Geneva, the timepiece maker has unveiled a host of novelties that bear all such Franck Muller hallmarks. 

Cintrée Curvex™ Imperial Tourbillon Baguette

Baguette diamonds are a distinctive choice for enhancing the luxury and appeal of high-end watches. Named after the French word for a long, narrow loaf of bread, baguette diamonds are rectangular or elongated with a step cut and straight, clear edges, which contribute to their unique and elegant appearance. Unlike ordinary tourbillons, the Imperial Tourbillon does not require the use of a visible bridge on the dial side.

Its extraordinary novelty stems from the fact that it is supported by a single pivot resting on a bridge within the action. This timepiece is available in rose gold and white gold. The dial gets a guilloché pattern and a tourbillon at 6 o’clock. Baguette diamonds are placed on the case of the watch and a large crown is spotted at 3 o’clock.

Curvex CX Flash

High-quality watches and performance cars are marvels of engineering precision. Enthusiasts often appreciate the mechanical intricacies involved in their construction, whether it's the complex movement of a luxury watch or the advanced mechanics of a sports car engine. The new Curvex CX Flash takes inspiration from future concept cars. Poly (methyl methacrylate) is the scientific name for the synthetic polymer commonly known as acrylic, acrylic glass, and plexiglass; this has been incorporated into the hour markers and also into the 60-second counter at 9 o’clock and the 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock. There is a date window with a white numeral at 6 o’clock as well. The dial features a granular texture achieved by laser machining and the hands get luminova. This model is also available as chronograph and grand date chronograph variants. Each watch is finished on a textile strap. 

Curvex CX Grand Central Tourbillon Skeleton

The watch's skeleton body, which extends from the movement base to the tourbillon cage, is supported by four bridges that create an illusion of suspension. The skeleton dial has bridges that have been designed to show as many gears as possible, revealing the beauty of the mechanism while also creating visual lightness. This expansive construction adds depth to the dial and showcases the outstanding central Tourbillon, which is enhanced by two-tone treatments. The skeleton's technological design strikes an appropriate balance between modernism and classicism, revealing an in-house movement that assures exact chronometry and boasts a five-day power reserve, which is an impressive feat for a skeleton tourbillon.

Long Island Evolution

The Long Island was debuted in 2000 as a three-hand watch. The rounded rectangular case with a slightly curved shape, short lugs, and arched numbers that accompanied the case design paid homage to the Art Deco era and rapidly became a collector favourite. The timepiece maker has now unveiled three distinctive versions of this collection. Common to the three novelties is the inner aluminium case anodised in pine green, while the exterior titanium casing is treated with black PVD and satin finish. Matte black alligator leather straps with contrasting stitching and borders in the same pine green colour accompany the new Long Island cases, producing a continuous green line that encircles each watch from all sides.

Long Island Evolution Master Jumper

This model is distinguished by its triple leaping complication, which revolutionises the way time is displayed. A complicated system of jumping discs indicates the hours, minutes, and date, providing instant readability and a futuristic look. This model is limited to only 100 pieces.

Long Island Evolution Giga Tourbillon

The 20 mm tourbillon cage is the heart of this watch and one of the largest and most visible ever created. This timepiece demonstrates Franck Muller's horological competence and technical ingenuity by delivering an unparalleled four-day power reserve. This model is limited to only 8 pieces.

Long Island Evolution 7 Days Power Reserve

With a seven-day power reserve, the entirely skeletonized construction of the watch allows for uninterrupted adoration of the internal mechanism. This model is limited to only 300 pieces.

Curvex CX Master Jumper

Franck Muller took four years to develop this timepiece. This watch has a jumping hours, jumping minutes, and jumping date mechanism. There are no hands or markers on the dial. Instead two discs allow the date change with a jump. The windows are vertically and equidistantly spaced on the dial, emphasising the three functions' minimalist symmetric design and the utilisation of their 371 components. This case has a sapphire crystal that stretches from 12 o’clock to 6 o'clock, melding perfectly with the strap.

The Curvex CX Master Jumper is housed in a 38 mm case, offered in several material variants and incorporating elements such as titanium and platinum. The dial is inspired by the Clous de Paris pattern, with pyramid shapes.

Round Lady Skeleton Baguette

The 31 mm timepiece is available in stainless steel or white gold and gets a skeleton dial with a skeleton movement. Certain elements, such as the mainplate or bridges, are skeletonised to reveal the watch components and provide an engaging visual experience.

Vanguard™ Lady Slim Vintage

This timepiece is available in a 32 mm or 35 mm case, which is only 9.1 mm thick due to the flat movement. The dial colours are inspired from vintage automobiles. Furthermore, the dial has a 60-minute track on the outer periphery and a 60-second subdial at 6 o’clock. Among the pastel colours, salmon, olive green, lead grey, blue, and brown have been selected. This automatic winding movement offers a power reserve of 42 hours.

Vanguard™ Open Back with In-House Movement

This is exclusively available in rose gold and white gold, and comes in 41 mm, 43 mm, and 45 mm cases. The colour options include white, black, blue, burgundy, and green. Finishings like sandblasting, satin, circular graining, bead-blasting, and sunray brushing can be found on the movement. The watch gets a sunray dial, hour, minute, seconds hands, and a date window at 6 o’clock. Turning the watch over showcases the open caseback with an oscillating weight. The crown is crafted in the same material as the case.

Image Credits: Franck Muller
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