Franck Muller Vanguard Crazy Hours
Ahead of the World Haute Horlogerie (WPHH), Franck Muller cheap presents its latest collection, which looks like it takes advantage of the very best the Genthod manufacturer has to offer.
One of its most famous creations is undoubtedly Crazy Hours – a jumping hour complication in which the numbers on the dial are arranged in a seemingly random order. So instead of sweeping across the dial as usual, the hour hand jumps to the corresponding number.
Then there’s the brand’s latest collection of watches, the sporty Vanguard collection, launched in 2015. With an integrated leather strap and appliquéd numerals housed in a curved tonneau case, the Vanguard quickly became one of Franck Muller’s most popular collections.
This year, the brand combined these favorites in the new Vanguard Crazy Hours (above) and Vanguard Crazy Hours Lady. The former features a lightweight black carbon fiber case with lemon-yellow numerals on the dial for a bright pop of color. Contrasting yellow stitching on the black leather strap gives the watch a sporty, almost racing aesthetic, while the brushed black dial adds a touch of elegance.
On the other hand, Vanguard Crazy Hours Lady is all about glitter. Sparkling diamonds and rose sapphires adorn the case and fully paved dial, bringing the gemstone total to a staggering 348 diamonds and 124 rose sapphires. We’ll admit it’s a bit flashy for an everyday watch, but then again, you can never have too much bling, right?
Frank Muller Gravity Skeleton
Some watches elevate their appeal by taking a “more is more” approach, but Gravity Skeleton takes the opposite route by exploring how much it can take out. After all, many people believe that skeletalization is a complication in itself. With this virtue, this hand-wound timepiece arguably sets a new benchmark for skeletonized tickers, as its in-house movement has a five-day power reserve that leaves little room for imagination. Another highlight is the oval tourbillon bridge that enhances the three-dimensionality of the watch.
Franck Muller Vanguard Blue Sea
Although inspired by the ocean, we don’t think this is a watch that people want to wear to dive into the deep sea. That said, with its eye-catching design, it’s certainly ideal for a marina outing or funky pool party. Mimicking the sea, its blue PVD-coated stainless steel case and dial feature a three-dimensional wave pattern that invites admirers to lean on it for a better look, while its nylon-rubber combination strap ensures it’s ready for action. It is powered by an automatic movement and is also available in chronograph and tourbillon versions.
Franck Muller Vanguard Openwork Sapphire
Not content to show off the Vanguard Skeleton’s hand-wound movement through the skeletonized dial, Franck Muller decided to pour light into the movement from all directions, housing it in a full sapphire crystal case. Each tonneau-shaped case is carved from a single piece of sapphire and took more than four months to build – two of which are used to machine the case, and the other two are polished and ground to perfection. This adds to the visual appeal of the timepiece, whose sublime ventilation belies the structural strength of its flying tourbillon movement.
Frank Muller – Vanguard Carbon V 45T CS Racing
Reminiscent of the 2009 Singapore Conqueror Grand Prix, the Vanguard Carbon V 45T CS Racing, also inspired by Formula 1, appeals to fans of showy sports timepieces.
Reminiscent of a mix of danger and sensuality, the watch comes in a black and red colourway and is crafted from a carbon fibre material commonly found in F1 racing cars. Other racing motifs, such as the checkered flag symbol on the dial, and the pedal pushers on the chronograph models, are both essential and give a guaranteed dynamic quality. There are also three watches with turntable complications.
