With out exaggeration, the brand new Franck Muller Grand Central Tourbillon Flash CX 36 is a really off-kilter watch that simply may set a brand new development for spirited high-end timepieces.
When the identify of Franck Muller is evoked, it conjures up photographs of huge numerals, treasured metals and indulgent diamond setting. The Grand Central Tourbillon Flash CX 36 — additionally known as “the Flash” — possess not one of the aforementioned options, which is why it stands out so distinctly from amongst Franck Muller’s 2023 WPHH (World Presentation of Haute Horlogerie) novelties.
Nonetheless, the Flash really encapsulates Franck Muller’s charisma and daring persona. Recognized by many names, such because the ‘Grasp of Problems’ and the ‘Maverick’ of Swiss watchmaking, the residing legend Franck Muller is greatest often known as the best watchmaker of his technology. In addition to having confidently and competently constructed, and mixed, each complication identified to mechanical watchmaking, Muller was additionally the revolutionary who remodeled the tourbillon from a hidden utilitarian mechanism that negates gravitational forces, to a charming dialog starter that embodies the sophistication of haute horlogerie.
On the understatedly elegant visage of the Flash, trademark Franck Muller-style numerals have been swapped out for neon indices which might be organized in a radial sample and direct your consideration to its namesake Grand Central Tourbillon, which has been relocated from the six o’clock place to the middle of the dial beneath the central hour and minute palms. When the Grand Central Tourbillon was first debuted, it was the primary tonneau-shaped watch with central tourbillon. This relocation of the tourbillon necessitated greater than a yr of analysis and improvement. Impressed by futuristic cars, the Flash has colourful indices which might be further vivid, even in darkness, as a result of they’re produced from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), a fabric used within the automotive business to make automobile lights.
In the course of a microblasted black matte dial, the Grand Central Tourbillon rises up, whirling inside a blackened titanium bezel. The Flash is enthroned within the model’s immediately recognizable Cintrée Curvex CX case that was debuted in 2021, this time common in carbon. One other delicate edit that heightens the visible expertise of this timepiece is its bigger sapphire crystal, which is fitted on the 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock positions utilizing a particular method, so {that a} vast, unhindered view is achieved that stretches from one pair of lugs to the opposite. This has additionally resulted within the Flash having a extra curved profile than different Franck Muller timepieces. The neon strap too is built-in into the case’s design, and is product of nylon with a calf leather-based underside.
“We’re very excited by the brand new design of the Grand Central Tourbillon Flash CX in 36mm carbon case,” says Franck Muller CEO Nicholas Rudaz. “The thought was to create one thing rather more funky than the traditional Grand Central Tourbillon that we’ve been presenting since 2021. We’ve additionally downsized it to 36mm — rather more wearable, rather more snug. The thought was to do one thing totally different and trendy.”
Impressed by futuristic cars, enjoyable and enthusiasm after dusk, the luminous Flash is accessible in blazing orange, neon inexperienced and electrical blue.
Franck Muller Grand Central Tourbillon Flash CX 36
Motion: Self-winding caliber MVT FM CX 36T-CTR; four-day energy reserve
Capabilities: Hours, minutes, small seconds and tourbillon
Case: 36.50mm x 52.65mm x 12.30mm; carbon; Blackened titanium interior bezel; water-resistant to 30m
Dial: Microblasted matte black brass; PMMA (Polymethyl Methacrylate) indices
Strap: Nylon with calf leather-based underside; brushed chrome steel buckle with black PVD coating
