FRANCK MULLER | Geneva Report: New Releases from 2013

New Innovations in "Tourbillon" and "Croco"

FRANCK MULLER 2013 New Collection: On-Site Report from WPHH

The "WPHH (The World Presentation of Haute Horlogerie)" exhibition, held at "WATCHLAND" in Genthod, a suburb of Geneva, Switzerland, took place again this year. Franck Muller's 2013 collection did not disappoint watch enthusiasts in the slightest.

Text & Event Photographs by SHIBUYA Yasuhito

Ultra-Fast Tourbillon Completes a Rotation in 5 Seconds

In just over 20 years since its founding in 1991, "Franck Muller" has rapidly risen to stand alongside venerable watch brands with over a century of history. The driving force behind this ascent is the complex watchmaking technology, exemplified by the tourbillon, pioneered by the genius watchmaker Franck Muller himself. Another key factor is the innovative concept that "a mechanical watch is not a tool to tell time, but to enjoy time."

In 2013, innovative models that break through previous barriers in both "technology and concept" have emerged, proving Franck Muller's position at the forefront of the luxury watch industry. First, the tourbillon mechanism, Franck Muller's forte, demands attention as a technical innovation. This is the "Thunderbolt™ Tourbillon" which marks time with the carriage rotating at a speed 12 times faster than the conventional one rotation per minute – that is, one rotation every 5 seconds.

As for conceptual innovation, we turn our attention to the evolution of the "Black Croco," which has been a bestseller since its launch in 2011 with its striking exterior design. These are the"Iron Croco" and "Gold Croco."The crocodile pattern on the case and dial, which has evolved from a sharp black to a more luxurious silver and gold, adds an even more intense accent to the wrist.

Furthermore, the "Vintage 7-Days Power Reserve" reinterprets the classic style of mechanical watches in the Franck Muller style, featuring a case with a proprietary 7-day long power reserve movement. Also not to be missed is the long-awaited rectangular model in the sports collection, the "Conquistador Cortez Grand Prix" This year's Franck Muller collection, too, has offerings that will not disappoint watch enthusiasts in the slightest.