105
Franck Muller
"Franck Genève - Hagmann Case"
A superbly crafted and historically important yellow gold minute repeating perpetual calendar wristwatch with moonphase display and JP Hagmann case
Further Details
Full-Cataloguing
- Perpetual Calendar Minute Repeater
- Unique piece Numbered 1
- Early model signed Franck Genève on main dial
- JP Hagmann case
It would be no exaggeration to say that Franck Muller took the watchmaking world by storm, becoming one of the most sought-after watchmakers of the 1980s. With the launch of his eponymous brand in the early 1990s, he achieved cult status and the kind of celebrity usually reserved for rock stars.
Widely regarded as a horological genius with golden hands, Franck Muller graduated from Geneva's watchmaking school in the late 1970s before honing his craft through the restoration of antique timepieces. In 1983, he established his own workshop, where he began creating bespoke watches for a discerning private clientele.
At a time when many of the great historical watchmakers were only just emerging from the quartz crisis and struggling to redefine themselves, Muller—then signing his creations simply as Franck Genève—was producing masterpiece after masterpiece and unveiling world-first complications at a breathtaking pace. Collectors queued at the doors of his workshop, eager for the chance to own one of his extraordinary bespoke creations.
The present unique perpetual calendar minute repeater is from that golden era.
This watch highlights Muller’s attention to detail, from the elegant chimes of the repeating mechanism to the incredible hand guilloché, engraved and enameled dial to the perfectly proportioned triple step case made by no other than J.P. Hagmann (who stamped his initials inside the caseback). J.P. Hagmann is widely considered one of the—if not the—best case makers in the entire history of horology, having collaborated with virtually all the most important brands.
Franck Muller
Swiss | 1991Specializing in top-quality timepieces, Swiss watchmaking company Franck Muller was founded in 1991 in Geneva. The company was named after watchmaker Franck Muller, also known as the "Master of Complications," and Vartan Sirmakes, Co-Founder and CEO of the Franck Muller Group. Shortly after graduating from watchmaking school in the 1980s, Muller was among the first to create his own tourbillon wristwatch, along with world-renowned brands Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin.
In addition to Muller's fine craftsmanship and intricate complications, the brand is often recognized for its modern designs and colorful flare. To date, the brand's notable lines are the Curvex, Crazy Hours, Casablanca, Conquistador, Long Island and Aeternitas, as well as Revolution2 and Revolution3.