Billed the “Master of Complications”, Franck Muller has continuously reshaped the landscape of haute horlogerie with its audacious spirit and intricate timepieces. Since its founding in 1991 by visionary watchmaker Franck Muller and Vartan Sirmakes, the brand has swiftly garnered acclaim for pushing the boundaries of watchmaking artistry by merging cutting‑edge mechanics with bold design, elevating timekeeping to an art form with its iconic collections.
Its latest launch, the Round Skeleton Baguette 31mm, carries on this legacy. While its silhouette departs from the brand’s signature tonneau shape, this new addition, which is exclusive to Asia Pacific, bears all the earmarks of a Franck Muller timepiece: a sophisticated case, an arresting dial and an exquisite movement.
As with all the watches in the Round range, the Round Skeleton Baguette 31mm is characterised by a case in the namesake shape—which, in this instance, has been shrunken to a size perfect for more delicate wrists (the Round Skeleton previously came only in 39mm and 42mm).
Baguette‑cut diamonds or precious stones are meticulously set by hand using the channel setting technique featuring gem stones set inside the bezel, securely held in place within the ring. Crafted in precious metals, the bezel’s channel walls hold in place this majestic crown that encircles the precisely skeletonised dial, enhancing its optimal transparency. A noteworthy element of this Asia Pacific exclusive piece is the intricate setting of 156 brilliant‑cut diamonds on the side of the bezel and case, adding an extra layer of refinement and distinction that is unique to this edition. Matching gems gracing the lugs further enhance the watch’s brilliance.
Housed within the gem‑set case is an openworked dial that, coupled with the transparent sapphire ‑crystal caseback, affords a clear view of both the movement’s intricate components and its workings, delivering a captivating visual experience. In a fine showcase of its watchmaking expertise, Franck Muller has refined the skeleton movement—the manually wound FM 1540‑RS—to fit into the miniaturised Round Skeleton design, paring down some of its 137 components to ensure that all are visible.
This accomplishment is particularly remarkable, as it represents the smallest movement ever crafted by Franck Muller. Underscoring the brand’s commitment to combining aesthetics with high functionality, the in‑house calibre offers a very impressive four‑day power reserve and beats at a reliable 21,600 vibrations per hour, ensuring both time‑keeping accuracy and durability.
The new timepiece comes in six variants. The three in white gold each features a bezel set with baguette‑cut diamonds, emeralds or blue sapphires. The remaining trio in rose gold, meanwhile, each comes with a bezel adorned with baguette‑cut diamonds, rubies, or sapphires, rubies and tsavorites. The last, in particular, sparks joy, with the carefully chosen gems presenting as a stunning gradient of colour around the watch face. All are paired with a hand‑sewn alligator leather strap, perfectly complementing the exquisite diamonds set on the side of the bezel and case, which serve as the hallmark of this Asia Pacific exclusive piece.
An elevated take on a silhouette so classic in its simplicity, the Round Skeleton Baguette 31mm is refined luxury at its finest, standing as not just a testament to Franck Muller’s mastery in crafting jewellery‑like timepieces, but also a symbol of the brand’s enduring philosophy of purity and excellence.
PHOTOGRAPHY JAYA KHIDIR
ART DIRECTION MARISA XIN
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