Franck Muller Vanguard Racing V 45 SC DT watch hands-on

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˚Franck Muller watches rarely pay attention. No matter how you feel about it, the brand’s well-known curvy barrel-shaped case shape needs attention. I always think that Franck Muller is a brand that fills a specific market segment. At least in my opinion, it is the more lustrous and classically influenced precious metal counterpart of Richard Mille’s high-tech futurism. These watches are suitable for those who want to talk about their timepieces. If you want to make sure to start a conversation, what better way than paint your watch in bright green or bright yellow. This is exactly the strategy explored by the Franck Muller Vanguard Racing V 45 SC DT watch, which we will personally introduce in this article.

We haven’t reviewed the time/date-only Vanguard for a long time, the last such model (Frank Muller Vanguard Glacier watch). So what has changed in the series since then? Well, although Glacier looks very similar to these new models, it is not actually part of the Racing Collection. Considering that before the watch case, people will inevitably be attracted to the dial, so the reason for defining the Racing Collection as different from the previous Vanguard iteration may not be immediately clear. However, differences can be found in the profile of the latter. The colorful and flared sides not only make this case more aggressive than ordinary Vanguard, but also link the entire color scheme together. In addition, these colored flashes continue the vibrant sports style of the exterior and interior of the case.

In my opinion, adding a brightly colored crown guard is a good step. I have always felt that the standard French Mullan style (evolved from the brand’s most well-known Cintree Curvex style) is a bit too feminine for my taste, even considering that some of the newer styles have been extended to quite large sizes In my book, the new and updated jagged appearance of the Vanguard Racing Collection is a huge improvement.

The case is available in two materials: the stainless steel case in this article or the 18k rose gold case. There are also two dial versions. Both have the same size. The width of the case is 44 mm, the length from the lugs to the lugs is 53.7 mm, and the distance from the wrist is 12.7 mm. For a watch of this unusual shape and contour, it is not surprising that the water resistance is only 30 meters. Although it may be predictable and unlikely to actually wear a Vanguard racing watch during strenuous sports activities, it always makes me a little uneasy when a sports watch provides such weak protection from moisture.

For such a modern design, Vanguard’s DNA is definitely Art Deco style. I want to say that the classic Franck Muller look that makes this brand unique is Art Deco design, just like steampunk is the Wild West. It seems to freeze the aesthetic taste in time, while material technology accelerates its rapid development around it.

Eye-catching, well-fitting Arabic numerals are used on the dial to add depth. Beautifully processed, sharp edges, and clean, these figures are an important part of this design. In fact, the number on the Pioneer watch has always been my favorite thing in this family and one of my only favorite things, unambiguously. As mentioned earlier, before the release, this case has not been suitable for me, but now I feel that Franck Muller has really found an excellent sports series formula, which is in legibility, implied vitality and recognizability. Tick ​​the area. I am also a fool of yellow and green, for that matter. It must be the Norwich City fans in my mind that finally came forward.

Franck Muller Vanguard Racing series is equipped with FM 2800-DT movement. This is a self-winding mechanical movement with a diameter of 25.60 mm and a thickness of 3.6 mm. Each model in the series has a 42-hour power reserve and a running speed of 28,800vph, which is the minimum expected of a watch that is so clearly defined by its sports characteristics. Calibre FM 2800-DT is composed of 158 parts-21 of which are gems-and 24k gold finishes are used on all bridge carvings. In addition to the exquisite decoration, the movement also has a variety of different finishing styles, including Côtes de Genève, round grain, diamond polishing, sunlight drawing and 45 degree polishing, and hot blue polished screws.

It took me a while and I had many opportunities to try on Famulan watches in person, but I think I finally got their appeal. These two models, reference. V 45 SC DT RACING (VE) (green) and reference. V 45 SC DT RACING (JA) (yellow) is the most exciting of the four recently launched. The other two watches-V 45 SC DT RACING (ER) (black dial with red decorations) and V 45 SC DT RACING (NR) (white dial with black decorations)-both have rose gold cases.

Although the white dial version with black accents is a very beautiful watch, none of the precious metal versions are as comfortable as the two steel models. I believe this is due to the inconsistency in style caused by the suitability of steel for sports watches and the combination of luxurious metals such as 18k rose gold with such a vibrant and avant-garde design.