Franck Muller History - Blowers Jewellers (2024)

In the sphere of high-end watchmaking, employing the strapline, “Master of complications”, is a very bold claim to make. However, the Swiss-born watchmaker, Franck Muller, earned a reputation early in his career for producing watches which harnessed complicated movements.

Franck Muller History - Blowers Jewellers (1)

During the 1980s, Muller displayed an obsession with Abraham Louis Breguet’s invention, the tourbillon. Muller not only employed the whirlwind mechanism within his watches – he presented them on the dial, contrary to usual watchmaking practice at the time.

In later years, Muller combined the tourbillon with other complications, to deliver grand complications. The Aeternitas Mega 4, released in 2007, includes 36 complications, incorporates 1483 components and is reputedly one of the most complicated watches in the world.

Watchland

Franck Muller approached a manufacturer of watch cases, Vartan Sirmakes, to design new cases for his watches. The two men would ultimately join forces in 1991, establishing a new company, taking the name of the famous watchmaker, Franck Muller.

In 1994, the business moved to a lakeside mansion at Genthod, on the outskirts of Geneva, named Watchland. This site is the largest of six production facilities owned by the company and has spare capacity for future growth.

Franck Muller History - Blowers Jewellers (2)Franck Muller History - Blowers Jewellers (3)


Watchland plays host to an array of trades including engravers, jewellers and watchmakers. Moreover, the site is responsible for design, case making and final assembly.

Similar to terroir influencing the resultant taste of fine wine, Watchland provides the creative inspiration for Franck Muller watches.

Today, Franck Muller creates in excess of 40,000 watches per annum.

Cintrée Curvex™

While Franck Muller offer rectangular, round and square shaped watches, the Cintrée Curvex™ case will always be the form most closely associated with the company’s name.

At first glance, the case may appear to resemble a conventional tonneau shape, but close examination reveals a plethora of curved surfaces. The case back includes an arc-shaped surface which accords a sublime ergonomic fit with the wearer’s wrist.

An Ability to Surprise

At the heart of the Franck Muller paradigm is a desire to innovate and surprise. The Crazy Hours watch features unconventionally positioned Arabic numerals. As the minute hand makes one full revolution, the hour hand jumps to the next prevailing hour, often positioned opposite.

Closing Remarks

It is the ingenuity of Franck Muller to deliver complications seldom seen elsewhere, together with the bold, daring use of colours and precious stones which distinguishes them as quite unique and collectable.

Browse Blowers’ selection of Franck Muller watches online today.

Franck Muller History - Blowers Jewellers (2024)

FAQs

Who makes the movements for Franck Muller watches? ›

Franck Muller watches mostly use the modified ETA movements but they are exemptions. The Casablanca 5850 Chronograph for instance is powered by the manual-winding FM cal. 1870, which is based upon the Lemania cal. 1872 (Lemania was a historic Swiss ebauche movement manufacturer famed for their chronograph movements.

How can you tell if a Franck Muller watch is real? ›

Look for any residue around the case, dial and crown. While inspecting the dial for any glue residue, also look for any dust or smudges on the dial. Carelessness is always a sign the piece is likely counterfeit or was handled by an amateur. Also, make sure to inspect your watch in the dark!

Is Franck Muller worth buying? ›

The Franck Muller Vanguard's most unique features are its Cintree Curvex case and applique relief numerals. The Franck Muller Vanguard timepiece is a worthy investment since it's made from the best materials and retains its worth well over time.

Who owns Franck Muller now? ›

Co-founder and CEO of the Franck Muller Group, Vartan Sirmakes was born in Constantinople in 1956, descending from a family of Armenian jewelers.

Does Franck Muller watch hold value? ›

The resale value of your Franck Muller depends on the model and edition. But based on the material and movements Franck Muller uses in its watches, their value tends to appreciate. The rare models are even more valuable.

What is the difference between Frank Muller and Omega? ›

While Omega watches can be bought in numerous stores, Franck Muller watches are made to order or are sold on special occasions only. Furthermore, the clientele is different, since the customers of Franck Muller are usually real watch enthusiasts, whereas Omega's clientele are “just” those with the necessary means.

How much are Franck Muller watches in dollars? ›

Retail prices for the new Franck Muller Curvex CX Piano collection start out at $9,400 USD for the stainless steel models, and they increase from there depending on the case materials of the specific reference.

What is special about Franck Muller watch? ›

Franck Muller watches became easily identifiable thanks to their Cintrée Curvex shape that is commonly recognized as the brand's most significant silhouette. For the brand, it quickly became a great success and a way to express its unique identity, assert its DNA and demonstrate its know-how in case manufacturing.

How can you tell how old a watch is? ›

To determine the age of your watch, you will need to open your watch and find the serial number on the watch's movement. This crucial figure will indicate the manufacture date. (Unfortunately, you cannot rely on the number stamped outside on the watch case which is largely used only for identification purposes.)

What are the 10 most expensive watch brands? ›

The most expensive watches are made by some of the most expensive watch brands in the world, including Audemars Piguet, Blancpain, Jaeger LeCoultre, Breguet, Louis Moinet, Piaget, Roger Dubuis, Vacheron Constantin, A. Lange & Sohne and Patek Philippe.

Why Frank Muller is so expensive? ›

Franck Muller watches are expensive due to their high-quality materials, unique designs, limited production, and handcrafted details. The brand's exclusivity and marketing efforts, including celebrity endorsem*nts, also contribute to the premium price tag.

How many watches does Frank Muller make a year? ›

Luxury Swiss watchmaker Franck Muller is reputed to make around 40,000 watches a year.

What celebrities wear Franck Muller? ›

Franck Muller's watches are worn by various celebrities, among them Arnold Schwarzenegger, Elton John, Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Cassper Nyovest, Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, Conor McGregor, Floyd Mayweather, Paris Hilton, Eva Longoria, Chris Brown and José Mourinho.

Is Franck Muller a luxury watch? ›

One of the famous luxury watches in our catalog includes Frank Muller Watches. There are five popular watches under the Swiss luxury watch brand: Vanguard Crazy Hours, Frank Muller Remember, Vanguard Yachting Anchor Skeleton, Vanguard Racing, and Skafander Chronograph.

What is Frank Muller most expensive? ›

Franck Muller Aeternitas Mega 4 | Price: $2,700,000

Minute Repeater. Tourbillon.

What is the lifespan luxury watch? ›

Quite simply, each luxury watch is designed to last a lifetime, as the culmination of vast expertise, care and passion, by some of the most prestigious watchmakers in the world.

Which watches are the most collectable? ›

Chrono24 pre-selected Rolex, Omega, Tudor, Seiko, Patek Philippe, Breitling, TAG Heuer, Audemars Piguet, IWC, Vacheron Constantin, Cartier, and Grand Seiko. As you can see below, for users of the Watch Collection tool in the USA, Rolex takes the first position with no less than 33.9%.

Which watches always go up in value? ›

The best watch brands for investment are Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet as they are prestigious, exclusive, high-quality brands. Watches by these brands often hold their value or appreciate in value over time.

Is Omega higher quality than Rolex? ›

Both Omega and Rolex are leaders in mechanical watch design, functionality, and component durability. While they both produce some of the highest-quality timepieces available, each company takes different approaches in doing so. The most crucial component of a watch is the escapement.

What is the most expensive watch in world? ›

The Graff Diamonds Hallucination is the most expensive watch in the world, with a price tag of $55 million. This watch is adorned with over 110 carats of rare and colorful diamonds, including pink, blue, green, yellow, and orange diamonds.

What is the most expensive Omega watch in market? ›

Rachel Cormack's Most Recent Stories

An immaculate original Omega Speedmaster from 1957 seemed almost too good to be true—and it was. The Ref. 2915-1, which sold for a record high $3.4 million at Phillips in November 2021, was Frankensteined together using parts from other vintage watches, as reported by Bloomberg.

What watch costs $1 million dollars? ›

John Goldberger wearing his Rolex 4113 split-seconds chronograph. In 2011, a Rolex finally crossed a million dollars when a split-seconds chronograph reference 4113 sold for CHF 1.03 million; another 4113 would break a million dollars two years later.

How much is a real Franck Muller? ›

Prices at a Glance: Franck Muller Watches
Model/Reference numberPrice (approx.)
Aeternitas Mega 4, 4 8888 MGA T CCR QPSE3.1 million USD
Cintrée Curvex Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, 8880 CC QP B O 5N120,000 USD
Aeternitas 1 Tourbillon, 8888T90,500 USD
Round Double Mystery, DM 42 D 2R CD48,000 USD
7 more rows

Who buy most expensive watch in the world? ›

Who owns a million-dollar watch? Floyd Mayweather, an American boxing promoter and former boxer, owns the Billionaire watch from Jacob & Co., which is considered the most expensive watch ever sold. Its worth is estimated at $18 million.

What are Franck Muller hidden hours? ›

The Secret Hours embodies the inventiveness and ingenuity of Franck Muller, and allows time to be suspended until its owner decides otherwise. This mysterious model tells us the time thanks to its push button positioned at 9 o'clock. Activate it and the time appears. Release it and the time becomes secret again!

How do I find out what my watch is worth? ›

Using Online Resources To Determine Value
  1. Watch brand websites.
  2. Model-launch press releases.
  3. Collector forums & boards.
  4. Auction sites (such as eBay)
  5. The chrono24 marketplace.

How do I know if my vintage watch is valuable? ›

Brand and model: Watches from well-known brands and popular models tend to be more valuable. Condition: The condition of the watch will affect its value. A watch that is in good condition with all original parts is generally more valuable than a watch that is in poor condition or has had parts replaced.

Is a 20 year old watch vintage? ›

Generally speaking, the market for vintage is on the rise, but there is no hard and fast rule as to what qualifies a watch as vintage. Some people think it is pre-1980, while others will argue that anything over 25 years old or 50 years old is vintage.

Which is the No 1 watch brand in world? ›

1. Rolex. Rolex is a Swiss luxury watch manufacturer based in Geneva, Switzerland. The company is well-known for its high-quality and precision timepieces, and its watches are considered some of the world's finest.

What watches are better than Rolex? ›

  • Omega Watches. Shop Omega Watches. Omega is a brand that gets compared to Rolex most frequently – and for good reason. ...
  • Panerai. Shop Panerai Watches. ...
  • Oris. Shop Oris Watches. ...
  • Breitling. Shop Breitling Watches. ...
  • Audemars Piguet. Shop Audemars Piguet Watches. ...
  • Longines. Shop Longines Watches. ...
  • Patek Philippe. Shop Patek Philippe Watches.
Sep 10, 2022

What are the big 3 watch brands? ›

The Trinity or 'big three' is a nickname given to the most luxurious watchmaking brands in the world. At the top of their game, the three watchmaking companies are Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe.

What is Franck Muller most complicated? ›

The Aeternitas Mega – the most complicated wristwatch in the world - is the pinnacle of success in the art of watchmaking in terms of complexity and complications. With 36 complications and 1'483 components, the Aeternitas Mega is a wonder of micro-mechanic and watchmaking know-how.

Why was Muller suspended? ›

Muller was sent off for a foul on Ajax defender Nicolas Tagliafico in Bayern's final group game in December and will serve a two-game suspension, per the club's official website: "Now it's official: FC Bayern will be without Thomas Muller in both legs of the Champions League round of 16 against Liverpool FC.

Is Franck Muller waterproof? ›

Water resistant to 3 atm.

Who owns the biggest watch collection in the world? ›

One of the most influential watch collectors in the world, Auro Montanari—also known by the alias John Goldberger—has amassed a vast vault over the past 43 years.

Who makes a million dollar watch? ›

Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Calibre 89 – $6 Million

Known for a while as the most complex timepiece globally, the Calibre 89 by Patek Philippe is one of four alone.

Who has the biggest collection of watches? ›

The World Record of 'largest collection of watch (personal)' has been achieved by Mr. Lewis Phillipsfrom Washington, USA. Till Nov 22, 2014; Mr. Phillips has a collection of Two Thousand One Hundred (2100) wrist watches.

What watch did Ryan Reynolds wear? ›

The Proposal for Panerai

Untether your magnifying glasses and you'll notice a Panerai Luminor Marina PAM on Reynolds' wrist in the 2015 action-thriller Self/less. But catch him walking the Pound Ridge neighbourhood of NYC and you'll also spot him clocking a white dial Panerai Luminor Marina PAM, too.

Does Johnny Depp wear watches? ›

Johnny Depp's Cartier Watches

While Depp has some unique watches in his collection, he also has some classics.

What watch is Al Pacino wearing? ›

Similar Bulgari Diagano to the watch worn by Al Pacino in Heat. The Diagono is an important model in the history of Bulgari watches.

How can you tell a fake Franck Muller? ›

The key sign of an authentic Franck Muller timepiece is the level of quality and attention to detail in the piece. The colors in the dial should be vibrant and the glow-in-the-dark paint marking the face should be bright. Shop a range of expertly vetted Franck Muller watches on 1stDibs.

Is Franck Muller a good investment? ›

The Franck Muller Vanguard's most unique features are its Cintree Curvex case and applique relief numerals. The Franck Muller Vanguard timepiece is a worthy investment since it's made from the best materials and retains its worth well over time.

Who owns Franck Muller? ›

Co-founder and CEO of the Franck Muller Group, Vartan Sirmakes was born in Constantinople in 1956, descending from a family of Armenian jewelers. He moved to Geneva at the age of 18, following the advice of his uncle, who had been living there since 1952.

How much is Richard Mille watch? ›

Compared to other luxury watch brands, Richard Mille's entry price for its timepieces is expensive. The average price for a Richard Mille timepiece is around $200,000. Getting the cheapest Richard Mille watch like the RM 016 will cost you at least $85,000.

Who makes Patek movements? ›

Patek Philippe also sourced movements from Jaeger-LeCoultre and Valjoux, and even commissioned modifications to its own simple movements from Victorin Piguet—now Frederic Piguet—for complications such as centre seconds. If you're shocked by this news, don't be.

Who has Jaeger-LeCoultre made movements for? ›

The often groundbreaking calibers made at Jaeger-LeCoultre didn't only make their way to the manufacturer's own creations. JLC movements also worked their mechanical magic inside timepieces with names like Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin on the dial.

Who makes Jaeger-LeCoultre movements? ›

Since 2000, the company has been a fully owned subsidiary of the Swiss luxury group Richemont. Jaeger-LeCoultre is regarded as a top-tier Richemont brand.

Does Girard Perregaux make their own movements? ›

Girard-Perregaux is one of the rare watchmakers to retain Manufacture status for over two centuries by mastering all the required horological skills in-house. We design, develop and produce all the essential components of our watches.

Who makes the movements for Rolex? ›

Bienne. The Bienne site, at the foot of the Jura mountains in the Swiss canton of Berne, is entirely dedicated to developing and manufacturing Rolex movements.

Which brands have in house movements? ›

Omega, Breitling, Longines, Hamilton, Tissot, Rado, Panerai, Sinn, TAG Heuer, Oris, and even Uniform Wares!

Which watchmakers make their own movement? ›

That was generally the move for watch companies – a Swiss movement maker called ETA and a Japanese one called Miyota, among others, make movements for loads of brands. The quality is very high, but they are still often referred to as “workhorses” – a description that comes with a degree of snobbery.

Who makes Seiko movements? ›

SII, founded in 1937 as a member of the Seiko Group specializing in the manufacture of watches, has leveraged its core competency to create high precision watches and movements that are treasured by people around the world, cooperating closely with Seiko Watch Corporation which engages in planning and sales of watches.

Did Rolex use other movements? ›

Yes. However, it is important to note that there was a time when Rolex selectively used 3rd party movements. A good example was the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona which at one point in history used the iconic Zenith El Primero caliber since it was an incredibly precise chronograph movement and still is.

Does Patek use JLC movements? ›

920 is famous as the only calibre to be used by all three top watch brands, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin and Audemars Piguet, and no others. Manufactured only as an ebauche movement by Jaeger-LeCoultre, Cal.

What is the most affordable JLC? ›

The cheapest Jaeger-LeCoultre watch is an entry-level Reverso Classic with a quartz movement, which you can pick up for around $4,750. An entry-level Polaris Automatic in stainless steel will set you back around $7,550 while Polaris Date prices start at $8,700.

Does Jaeger-LeCoultre hold its value? ›

The manufacturer has had a successful run in producing exquisite minute repeaters, perpetual calendars and tourbillons and continues to reign as a watchmaker that many rival companies can only aspire to be. There is no arguing that Jaeger-LeCoultre watches hold their value.

Is Jaeger-LeCoultre worth buying? ›

Is Jaeger LeCoultre a good brand? It is. In fact, JLC is an excellent high-end Swiss watch brand. While most people don't always associate top of the line watch brands with JLC as they are affectionately known in the watch community, this is mainly because of their marketing and not because of anything else.

What movement is in a TAG Heuer? ›

Powered by automatic or quartz movements, TAG Heuer calibres combine precision and high performance. Regarded as the driving force behind chronographs, our movements are distinguished by their extreme reliability, at the forefront of Swiss watchmaking expertise.

Does Seiko make their own movement? ›

In-House Movement: From bottom to top, Seiko manufactures all of its movements itself.

What movement does TAG Heuer Link use? ›

The watch is powered by Calibre 5, TAG Heuer's house-branded ETA 2824, which is a workhorse self-winding movement with little finishing.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Arielle Torp

Last Updated:

Views: 6472

Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Arielle Torp

Birthday: 1997-09-20

Address: 87313 Erdman Vista, North Dustinborough, WA 37563

Phone: +97216742823598

Job: Central Technology Officer

Hobby: Taekwondo, Macrame, Foreign language learning, Kite flying, Cooking, Skiing, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Arielle Torp, I am a comfortable, kind, zealous, lovely, jolly, colorful, adventurous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.