Among aficionados and collectors of fine timepieces, a pilgrimage to Watchland, Franck Muller’s storied headquarters in Genthod, Switzerland, is de rigueur. Home to the independent watchmaker’s design and production facilities, the elegant estate near the shores of Lake Léman—the very place where the legendary horologist got his start in 1983—hosts a yearly showcase of new timepieces by brands affiliated with or owned by the Franck Muller Group. It was at the January 2017 edition of WPHH (the World Presentation of Haute Horlogerie) that the Vanguard 7 Days Power Reserve Skeleton made its debut.
Boasting Franck Muller’s signature tonneau-shaped silhouette, the 44 mm-by-53.7 mm model comes in a case fashioned from a surprising combination of materials: carbon, PVD-treated titanium, stainless steel, and 18-karat gold. Yet it’s the lack of material that ultimately makes the biggest impression: Owing to its spare, skeletonized movement—designed and built entirely in-house—the model has a refined geometry of hand-chamfered bridges encased in a sturdy, sporty Vanguard case. The second counter at 6 o’clock and the exceptional seven-day power reserve are welcome bonuses.
Franck Muller Vanguard 7 Days Power Reserve Skeleton, $43,800; franckmuller.com