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Franck Muller is in a class of its own, introducing interesting and unique styles to Haute Horlogerie, including a Cintree Curvex case design, chunky Arabic numerals, and well-curved dials to seamlessly match the trademark case shape.
Founded in 1991 by renowned Swiss watchmaker Franck Muller and Vartan Sirmakes, the Franck Muller brand has presented some of the most beloved timepieces among watch fans in a refreshing array of designs and tastes.
One such piece is the Franck Muller Vanguard Chronograph ref. V45SCDT. This elegant and sporty timepiece has a handsome design and enjoyable wrist presence. It also boasts some unique elements, as we shall see in the detailed Franck Muller watch review below.
The Case
The Franck Muller V45SCDT is available in several case options:
- Red Gold
- Titanium
- Stainless steel
For this review, we’ll focus on the Titanium option.
The model has a well-polished tonneau-shaped case, staying true to Franck Muller’s iconic design.
It has a bold and manly black-red combo and is 44mm in diameter, with a length of 53.70 mm and a height of 12.80mm. This thickness makes it unable to slide under a cuff which is alright since it’s a sports watch.
The curvy black PVD-treated Titanium case has no lugs and has smooth crimson lines on its sides, giving the watch an adventurous feel. It also has a large winding crown with a red top and black body. The crown has three positions, the intermediate one enabling date adjustment. It also has the Franck Muller logo at its top.
Additionally, it has a fixed, smooth black PVD-treated Titanium bezel and solid Titanium case back. The case back is joined to the watch by four tiny black screws. It has a soft grainy finish and engravings. And it’s pleasantly flat with a sharp top and bottom sides for a professional look.
The case has a water resistance of 30m, meaning it fares well under light water splashes alone.
The Dial
Continuing with the black-red design is its bold black dial with a grainy finish. It adds some white to the mix for some much-needed contrast. It’s shielded by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and has black applique relief numerals with a vivid-red outline.
It also has skeletonized black hands that are treated with Super-LumiNova, with the seconds hand having a red tip for some balance and uniformity.
What’s more, it has a dark circle in the middle with the words ‘FRANCK MULLER,’ ‘GENEVE,’ and ‘VANGUARD,’ printed on it in white.
The dial also has a minute scale with red and white markings and a rehaut with compass bearings. There are some red details on the NE, NW, SE, and SW intermediate points on the rehaut as well. The rest of the detailing is in white.
It has a circular date window at 6 o’clock, with the date displayed in black on a white background. The window has bitten a chunk off the numeral six, with the remains visible under it. There’s also a ‘SWISS MADE’ printing in tiny white letters under six o’clock on the minute scale.
The Movement
At the heart of the Franck Muller Vanguard ref. V45SCDT is the self-winding Caliber FM 0800 movement, which is a suitable pick for several reasons. First, it allows the position of the date window to be at six o’clock. Second, it’s powerful enough to meet the watch’s requirements. Its size enables it to slide into the case effortlessly.
It comprises 158 parts and has 21 jewels, a 42-hour power reserve, and a 28,800vph frequency. It also has an eye-catching decoration of rhodium plating, Cotes de Geneve, and circular graining.
The Strap
This sporty model has a sophisticated strap to match its durability. It combines rubber and crocodile ‘Croco’ leather for the ultimate adventurer’s band. The dark leather has special markings and is joined to the rubber with black stitchings on the sides, continuing with the watch’s mostly-black makeup.
One of the straps also has a series of pin holes and a double-fold deployant clasp that takes the case’s shape. The Titanium clasp has the Franck Muller logo and a dark safety push button on the side.
Franck Muller impressively broke the norm with this piece, opting to join the straps to the case through hidden screws rather than the common spring-bar technique.
The strap is flexible, taking the shape of a wrist thanks to its rubber component. It’s easy on the wrist and has a smooth glossy finish, enabling it to shine softly at the right light angle.
Why You Should Invest?
The Franck Muller Vanguard ref. V45SCDT is super durable due to its unmatched craftsmanship. Plus, it’s made from some of the best materials available, such as Titanium, gold, and sapphire crystal.
It’s also got lots of potential on the financial front as it’s known to hold its value well. Plus, its price has increased by at least 6 percent since its introduction in 2014 and February 2023.
The Competitive Landscape
Sports watches have a high demand in the watch industry if they’re stylish and functional. The Franck Muller Vanguard Chronograph ref. V45SCDT checks all the boxes, increasing its value among watch enthusiasts since its introduction. It retails for S$8,708 at the time of the writing of this post.
There are other watches from other brands in the sports category that are equally promising, with similar or better features and more pocket-friendly prices.
Here are some of the pieces competing with the Franck Muller Vanguard V45SCDT, plus their specifications, prices, and features:
1. Invicta Specialty Chronograph Watch – Stainless Steel, White Dial Ref. 14330
About
This offering from Invicta offers a much sportier and elegant look with the subdials and Gold-tone steel case. It’s also a level higher than the Franck Muller Vanguard thanks to its 3-strap offering for versatility and toolless interchangeable strap system.
As for its price, it’s more affordable, as it’s priced at S$930. Its pre-owned price falls between S$90 and S$100.
Specifications
- Production Year: 2012
- Case Size: 43mm
- Materials:
- Dial – White, with blued steel hands and matching blue Arabic numeral/ index hour markers
- Bracelet – 3 leather straps- black, blue, and brown- with an interchangeable strap system and Gold-tone pin buckle
- Bezel – Fixed, smooth, Gold-tone
- Function: Date, Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Small Seconds
- Mechanism: Caliber VD57 Japanese quartz movement
2. FORSINING Automatic Rectangle Watch – Stainless Steel, Black Dial Ref. WRT34699
About
This piece also offers a more casual and adventurous look with the subdials on its dial. Additionally, its complete calendar display feature is convenient as wearers will constantly be updated on the date, day, and month along with the time!
It has a more pocket-friendly price tag than the Franck Muller V45SCDT, retailing for S$71. Its pre-owned price lies between S$60 and S$70.
Specifications
- Production Year: 2016
- Case Size: 42mm
- Materials:
- Dial – Black, with white hands and white Arabic numerals
- Bracelet – Black faux leather strap with a pin buckle clasp
- Bezel – Fixed, smooth, stainless steel
- Function: Day, Date, Month, Hours, Minutes, Seconds
- Mechanism: Chinese automatic movement with 21 jewels
Comparison Table
The following table highlights the primary features of the options above:
| Model | Key Features |
| Invicta Specialty Chronograph Watch Ref. 14330 | • Subdials at 12,6 and 9 o’clock • Arabic numeral hour markers at 11,12,1,5,6 and 7 o’clock positions • Date window at 3 o’clock |
| Forsining Automatic Rectangle Watch Ref. WRT34699 | • 21-jewels automatic movement and tourbillon on the dial • Chinese automatic movement • Complete calendar display below 12 o’clock |
FAQs
1. Is Franck Muller a good watch?
Franck Muller is a good watch. The large watch is durable, highly functional, and has a wonderful ultra-complicated design with a reliable movement.
2. Is Franck Muller a luxury watch?
Franck Muller is a luxury watch. The watch brand uses luxurious materials such as 18K gold, carbon fiber, and diamonds to create some Franck Muller watches. Each material is cleaned and polished to perfection to give the pieces a glamorous appearance.
3. What is special about Franck Muller watch?
A Franck Muller watch has a Cintree Curvex case, applique relief numerals, and a complicated movement- all unique to the successful Swiss watchmaking brand.
Final Word
The Franck Muller Vanguard Chronograph ref. V45SCDT oozes horological excellence and sporty elegance.
Its appealing avant-garde design makes it a preferable choice despite the era. Plus, its strong case, durable strap, and big, well-lit dial ensure you get the best a modern sports watch can offer anywhere you are.
Key Takeaways
- 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.
- The Franck Muller Vanguard’s avant-garde design makes it a suitable pick, regardless of the era.
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