Franck Muller | The Casablanca, A New Face That Inspires Adventure

Franck Muller

Awakening the Spirit of Adventure
A New Face for Casablanca

This year marks the 15th anniversary of Franck Muller's iconic Casablanca collection. On October 1st, the "Casablanca Camouflage," the first limited model, was released.

Text by NOGAMI AkiPhoto by JamandfixStyling by SAKURAI Masayuki

An Elegant Tough Watch Evoking a Longing for Travel

In the 1940s, Morocco was a holiday destination for Europeans, a land that evoked a "longing for travel." Inspired by the film "Casablanca," set in Morocco, Franck Muller launched its first "traveler's watch" collection in 1994. This was the beginning of the "Casablanca" collection, which remains a beloved classic model today.

The "Casablanca" is a watch with a beautiful, classical Art Deco style, featuring a tonneau case with a three-dimensional curve. It is also well-known as the first collection where he incorporated stainless steel. Inspired by the fact that Europeans favored stainless steel wristwatches over gold or platinum for their holidays, Franck also infused this watch with rugged elements capable of withstanding long journeys in foreign lands, such as calfskin straps resistant to sweat and luminous dials that ensure legibility even on dark, unlit wilderness nights.

【The Classic "Casablanca" Model】

Refining the Details for a More "Casablanca" Feel

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the "Casablanca." On October 1st, the "Casablanca Camouflage," the first limited model in the collection, was released.

The stainless steel case, a hallmark of the "Casablanca," has been changed from the traditional polished finish to a matte satin finish. The dial has also been given a textured, granular finish to evoke the image of Sahara desert sand, further enhancing its rugged impression. As before, the concept of "Casablanca"—to cherish the patina that develops as the indexes age—is preserved, offering the pleasure of crafting an antique watch.

Most notably, the dial design has undergone a bold transformation. In a new design, reminiscent of "camouflage," Arabic numerals are discreetly hidden behind the indexes, with khaki and beige chosen as colors that evoke vast landscapes. This color combination is a first for "Casablanca" and indeed for all of Franck Muller's collections.

The "Casablanca Camouflage," with its chic style that suits both travel and daily life, accentuates its rugged side. This limited edition model delves deeper into the essence of "Casablanca," a watch that speaks of distant lands, by refining its details. It is truly a model befitting the collection's 15th anniversary.

Franck Muller／Casablanca Camouflage
Franck Muller／Casablanca Camouflage

In addition to the classic salmon pink, white, and black, the limited edition introduces khaki and beige. The tonneau curvex case is available in eight variations, with the classic "5850" model chosen for its beautiful curved balance. The classical Art Deco style is also part of the "Casablanca's" charm. Each is a limited edition of 100 pieces.