Skeletal masterpieces from Franck Muller

The maison of Franck Muller prides itself on producing watches that are some of the finest and most complicated of the world. It is no wonder then that, this year, the marque is offering three skeletonised masterpieces to its aficionados. We give you a sneak peek at the brand’s skeleton offerings that have left us mesmerised

Vanguard Skeleton Sapphire
Revealing the soul of its mechanism through the transparency of its sapphire case, the new Vanguard Sapphire Skeleton showcases its movement to the fullest. Innovation and expertise coupled with Haute Horlogerie traditions has enabled Franck Muller to design this one-of-a-kind timepiece, achieving an unprecedented achievement.

Manufacturing a sapphire watchcase of this kind requires a high degree of hand-finishing, high expertise and a unique savoir-faire. The case, bezel, and back of this timepiece are milled from a single block of sapphire. It takes two months to machine the case and then two more to accomplish the polishing.

The high-tech transparent sapphire tonneau watchcase, with dimensions of 44.00 MM X 53.70 MM X 12.80 MM, is emphasised by the architectural design of the white PVD skeleton dial, hand-chamfered to perfection. The perfectly integrated transparent strap attached to the glass case is totally invisible so that the skin of the wrist can be seen through it.

Powered by the manually wound FM 2001 calibre mechanical movement, which beats 18,000 vibrations per hour and has satin-brushed, hand-chamfered decorations, the watch has a power reserve of 60 hours, and displays the hours and minutes.

Taking a new direction with its minimalist style, the Vanguard Skeleton Sapphire offers a full visual access to its in-house manufactured movement.

Gravity Skeleton
Engineered to revolutionise the watchmaking design, the Gravity line continues to evolve, introducing this time a new skeletonised version, combining cutting-edge technology with unique heritage.

The innovative construction of the movement lies in the shape of the bridges that have been turned into a concave and convex shape, offering the watch an exclusive design. The skeleton body of the Gravity captures the gaze with its massive mechanism where the bridges and the pillars of a traditional tourbillon have been turned into an elliptical circle with diameters of 21.2 MM, giving the timepiece a three-dimensional aspect. An eccentric balance of 14 MM further characterises this unconventional tourbillon. The structural lines of this masterpiece are enhanced by the use of colours on the tourbillon cage as well as on the open-worked hands.

Powered by the CS-03.SQT calibre manual-winding mechanical movement, the watch displays the hours and minutes, has a power reserve of 5 days, and beats at a frequency of 18,800 vibrations per hour. The case, made of carbon, titanium with PVD treatment, stainless steel, 18 carat gold, is water resistant to 3 ATM, and has an open-face dial.

The very strong character of this piece is further accentuated by the texture and structure of its case that recalls the pioneering character of the Gravity line. Featuring the highest quality materials, the master watchmakers of Watchland have invested all its resources to make the Gravity Skeleton a true piece of design and innovation.

The new Gravity Skeleton is available in a wide range of coloured finishes, allowing the brand to create a watch that is unique and exclusive while still offering the highest Swiss quality. Indeed, the components in anodised aluminium enable personalisation of the timepiece with a wide range of striking colours: from orange to yellow, blue, purple, and many more. With the aim of bringing the future forward, this new model represents a combination of exclusivity and high-tech luxury.

Vanguard 7 Days Power Reserve Skeleton
While keeping its very strong DNA, the newborn Vanguard 7 Days Power Reserve Skeleton provides a mesmerising view on an in-house crafted mechanical treasure. The bridges, hand-chamfered to perfection, reveal not only the manufactured movement of the watch but also a second counter at 6 o’clock.

The architectural and geometric open-worked bridges have been designed for watch lovers to admire the mechanism in its entirety. Alongside the unique design of its body that reaffirms the sports attributes of the Vanguard collection, the famous open-worked hands punctuate this new design seamlessly into the dial.

Wholly designed and manufactured in-house, the balanced design of the Vanguard 7 Days Power Reserve Skeleton showcases the passion for crafts, a symbol of the Franck Muller manufacture. The manually wound FM 1740 caliber mechanical movement, with satin-brushed, hand-chamfered decorations, beating at a frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour, displaying the hours, minutes, and seconds, has a power reserve of 7 days as vaunted in its name.  

The new Vanguard 7 Days Power Reserve Skeleton connects new aggressive finishing details along with watchmaking traditions.