Watches

‘Dream watch’: We got our hands on the new $255k Franck Muller skeleton tourbillon

Published on Apr 29, 2022 at 7:00 PM (UTC+4)
by Louise Cheer

Last updated on May 05, 2022 at 10:32 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by Kate Bain

Franck Muller is known as the “master of complications” and now the Swiss watchmaker has taken it to the next level.

Check out the new Vanguard Skeleton Sapphire Color Dreams Tourbillion, a watch “you can see straight through”.

And it’s worth more than $255,000.

The dial of this incredible watch has a multi-colored skeleton and was handcrafted over the course of two months.

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To add to the luxury, the timepiece comes in its own sapphire case.

“I saw this watch and I was like: ‘This is my dream watch’,” Supercar Blondie’s Alex Hirschi said.

“It is so beautiful. So you have a full sapphire glass case, which is very rare.

“And it’s skeleton, which means you can see straight through it, which makes it super difficult to make.”

On the back of the watch, a number is engraved to indicate in which order it was produced (Alex has number 10).

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The back and face of the Franck Muller watch.
Image: Supercar Blondie

Alex also said it was very light while wearing, adding it’s almost like it’s not even there.

A Franck Muller spokesperson told SupercarBlondie.com the new tourbillon were “very complicated watches”.

“It is not a limited edition but there is no big production (less than 100 pieces),” the spokesperson said.

“The Tourbillon is a complication. The fact that it is a skeleton watch is another complication.

The watch in the sapphire crystal case.
Image: Supercar Blondie

“To this, we add the difficulty of color processing. It is a treatment that is much longer because we have to treat each part with a different color.”

Anodized aluminium was used to reproduce the colors on the bridges. It was the only material that would maintain the metallic shine the watchmakers wanted for the timepiece.

Quick specs about the new Franck Muller watch

  • Vanguard sapphire crystal case
  • Manual winding movement
  • Power reserve of 60 hours
  • 194 components
  • 21 jewels
  • Flying tourbillon with cage on ball bearing
  • Water-resistant up to 30 meters (98 feet)
  • Hand sewn alligator strap
  • Stainless steel buckle with white enamel coating

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Louise Cheer oversees and writes stories about the latest headlines on topics such as automotive, technology, gaming, watches, movies and lifestyle. Louise has been a news editor at Yahoo and Daily Mail in Australia, with more than 10 years of experience in the media industry.