Engineering the world's fastest, biggest and tri-axial tourbillons is not enough for avant-garde watchmaker Franck Muller.
The whirlwind mechanism deserves to be in the spotlight rather than at the 6 o'clock position. The relocation to the centre wasn't for a short spin and the Swiss company has made the Grand Central Tourbillon a collection of its own.
The world's first tonneau-shaped watch centred by a tourbillon has been redesigned as the edgy Grand Central Tourbillon Flash CX 36, recently launched at WPHH (World Presentation of Haute Horlogerie), Franck Muller's own watch fair.
Its designers in enchanting Watchland, located in Genthod in the canton of Geneva, drew inspiration from futuristic automobiles for the showstopper, imaginatively described as a starship.
Distinctive numerals are replaced by bright-coloured hour markers made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), extensively used in automotive lighting systems and instrument panels as well as other interior and exterior components.
Three funky versions flash in blazing orange, neon green or electric blue. Against a microblasted matte black brass dial, the striking indices point to the mesmerising tourbillon, whose cage bridge features a neon arrow in the same bold shade.
Patented by Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1801, the tourbillon neutralises the effects of gravity to ensure precision of mechanical timepieces.
Franck Muller, hailed the Master of Complications, previously advanced the regulator in various aspects for its grand complications.
Electric blue version of Grand Central Tourbillon Flash CX 36.
The Fast Tourbillon models boast the world's fastest tourbillon completing one rotation in only five seconds. With a diameter of 20mm, the world's biggest tourbillon occupies half of the Giga Tourbillon's dial.
Moreover the innovative brand equipped the Revolution 3 with the world's first tri-axial tourbillon, which corrects the forces of gravity in all positions, contrary to a classic one which only compensates when the wristwatch is in vertical position.
One of the challenges in moving the tourbillon to the centre was to find an innovative way to place the hour and minute hands around its cage.
On the latest model, the minimal hands extend outward from the carriage on openwork circles that are suspended around the tourbillon. Likewise, the 60 second tourbillon is suspended by an elevated single bridge, which is functionally shaped to indicate the seconds.
Making the new model at the atelier in Watchland.
The dynamics of the flashy indices and spellbinding tourbillon are fully showcased through the sapphire crystal, which extends all the way to the lugs.
A technical feat, fixing the glass at 12 and 6 o'clock also gives the redesigned Curvex CX case a perfectly-curved profile. In blackened titanium, the bezel is separate from the case, allowing for more depth with a two-tone treatment and highlighting the watch's sensuous curves.
Fitted to the case middle, the self-winding movement with an eccentric micro rotor provides a power reserve of four days.
Franck Muller further ensures that the Grand Central Tourbillon Flash CX 36 makes a statement, with an eyecatching neon nylon strap integrated into the black carbon case.
