Known as the “Master of Complications,” Franck Muller has created some of the most identifiable and complex wristwatches ever. With such an extensive resume, it’s impressive that the watch manufacturer known as Franck Muller was only established in 1991, just 25 years ago. Keep reading to learn about the long list of accomplishments in Franck Muller’s short history.

Muller was raised in La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland, home of many of the greatest watchmakers in history, including Rolex, Omega and Girard-Perregaux. At age 15, Muller enrolled himself in watchmaking school, and eventually graduated from the Watchmaking School of Geneva. Muller began his watchmaking career repairing Patek Philippe watches and he was known for his skill in restoring antique and fine timepieces. By 1984, Muller had designed his first tourbillon — a feat typically only accomplished by the oldest and most prestigious watchmakers.

Muller began designing one-off timepieces for private clients but didn’t start his own company until 1991. Starting in 1993, Franck Muller began releasing his “World Premiers.” He regularly releases a new collection of wristwatches with a feature or complication that is the first or the superlative example in the watchmaking industry. Examples include the Revolution 3 and the Aeternitas Mega.

Muller had a unique approach to the development of complex movements. He noticed that most innovations and extreme complications were applied only to pocket watches. Muller made it his goal to achieve these accomplishments within the confines of a wristwatch. Many of the most complicated timepieces in history are contained in a pocket watch, but Muller would later change this with his most complicated design, the Aeternitas Mega.

The Aeternitas Mega is the most complicated Franck Muller watch ever designed and one of the most complicated wristwatches ever! After five years of development, the piece was released with 36 complications — 25 visible — and nearly 1,500 parts. The piece is named for the Latin word meaning eternity, referencing the perpetual calendar. Upon its release, the watch sold to a watch collector for $2.7 million, making it one of the most expensive watches in the world.

Aesthetically, Franck Muller watches are incredibly distinct and identifiable. His Cintree Curvex — French for “arched in a curve” — cases, which subtly transform the tonneau-shaped case with curved edges. This case shape is an extension of Muller’s technical prowess due to the complexity of manufacturing the shape. The tonneau-shaped piece is a nod the popular case choices of the Art Deco era of watchmaking.

Photo Credit: franckmuller.com / horbiter.com / ablogtowatch.com

Franck Muller creates some of the finest watches, and that quality comes at a price. The unique and desirable designs make the watches a target for counterfeiters across the world. If you are purchasing a Franck Muller watch, you will want the best deal, but also confidence that your watch it authentic. Keep reading for a few tips that will help you spot a fake Franck Muller watch.

1. Quality

There are certain things to look out for when inspecting any timepiece for obvious clues that the watch is fake. Although quality fakes are becoming more and more common, there are still many mistakes that slip by counterfeiters. Since many counterfeiters are from foreign countries, there are often spelling errors on the piece. Always carefully inspect all writing to be sure everything is spelt correctly. Be sure to look out for extra or missing letters.

Many fakes also use glue to hold the components together, whereas a Franck Muller watch would not. Look for any residue around the case, dial and crown. While inspecting the dial for any glue residue, also look for any dust or smudges on the dial. Carelessness is always a sign the piece is likely counterfeit or was handled by an amateur. Also, make sure to inspect your watch in the dark! If the hands do not adequately glow, then the piece likely uses a lower-quality luminous paint — a sign of a fake.

Finally, if possible, inspect the movement. Swiss watchmakers will always sign their movement in some way. If there are no engravings or signatures, then the movement is likely a cheap fake. If you cannot look at the movement, inspect the seconds hand. If the seconds hand is jumping instead of sweeping, then the watch could be a fake. Fine mechanical wristwatches will have a sweeping seconds hand while a quartz watch will have a “ticking” seconds hand.

3. Seller Details and Reviews

2. Price Check
If you plan on purchasing a Franck Muller watch, then you should always research the item thoroughly, especially price. If you find a piece that is listed for an unbelievable price, then it’s likely the watch is a fake. Look for the watch listed on other websites or at different dealers so you can accurately judge an appropriate price for the item. Today, faking a watch can be done more accurately than ever, even fooling some of the most avid watch collectors. The better a fake, the higher the price, so even if the price tag is relatively high, the watch could still be a fake.

Always thoroughly research the seller if you plan on making a large purchase like a Franck Muller timepiece. When buying online, your chances of getting the best deal are better, but your chances of buying a fake increase too. Thoroughly inspect the website and look for any incomplete or missing information. Always be sure to carefully check the web address you are visiting. Many counterfeiters will use a URL similar to a legitimate website and wait for buyers to accidentally type the wrong address.

Finally, look for honest reviews of the seller. If you cannot find any reviews at all, then the website could be a temporary scam website that changes regularly. If you only find extremely positive or poorly written reviews, then that is a sign the counterfeiters also faked the reviews. You should look for a trustworthy seller with honest reviews and feedback about the entire purchasing process.

4. Ask a Trusted Watch Expert
In the end, these tips can only help you spot a fake. However, some replica watches can pass these tests. The only way to be completely certain that your watch is the real deal is to take it to a trusted watch expert. If you don’t already know someone, then look for the same things as you would when trying to find a watch seller — honest reviews and a legitimate website.

Franck Muller is known for his distinct aesthetic and complicated timepieces. The watchmaker got his start working with complicated watches from Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin, two of the greatest watchmakers in history. With a name like “The Master of Complications,” it is without a doubt that Franck Muller has created some of the most complex watch movements ever. Keep reading to learn more about five of the most complicated Franck Muller watches.

5. Gravity

The Vanguard Gravity combines the case of the Vanguard collection with an uncommonly shaped tourbillon. The elliptical-shaped, oversized tourbillon takes up the entire lower half of the watch. The unique shape is necessary to offset the off-center balance wheel. It rotates once every minute to counter the effects of gravity on the movement. The case is made of titanium in Franck Muller’s signature Cintrée Curvex case to complete the truly quintessential Muller design.

4. Thunderbolt Tourbillon

The Thunderbolt tourbillon is the fastest tourbillon in the world — one rotation is completed in only five seconds. The tourbillon is powered by four barrels and features a new escapement designed by Franck Muller watchmaker Pierre-Michele Golay. The patented escapement makes the tourbillon more energy efficient than the typical tourbillon, allowing the watchmaker to increase the speed of the tourbillon without sacrificing accuracy.

3. Giga Tourbillon

The Franck Muller Giga Tourbillon watch houses the world’s largest tourbillon ever at 20mm in diameter and takes up an entire half of the dial. The massive tourbillon is powered by four barrels and has a 9-day power reserve. In 2013, the brand updates the model to feature a chiming complication with the Giga Gong Tourbillon. The skeletonized case allows you to observe the complex movement and tourbillon.

2. Evolution 3-1

The Evolution 3-1, part of Revolution collection, added another technical best to Franck Muller’s list of achievements and brought another first to the watch industry. The Evolution 3-1 features the world’s very first tri-axial tourbillon. Typically, a tourbillon only corrects for gravity when vertical, but the Revolution 3 corrects for gravity in all positions. This pieces further impresses with an additional complication — a perpetual calendar.

1. The Aeternitas Mega

When it was released in 2010, The Aeternitas Mega was the most complicated wristwatch in the world. The piece features a total of 36 complications and 1,483 parts. The watch features a grand tourbillon, perpetual calendar, moon phase, grande sonnerie, equation of time, minute repeater and more. The watch is named after the Latin word for eternity — inspired by the perpetual calendar complication. The watch is not only one of the most complicated ever but also one of the most expensive priced at $2.7 million.

Photo Credit: timeandwatches.com / franckmuller.com / revolution.watch / excellencemagazine.luxury