207Σ︎
Franck Muller
Janus
A unique and surprising double-dialed yellow gold single-button chronograph wristwatch with world-time indication, Hagmann case and certificate
Estimate
CHF70,000–140,000
€75,800–152,000
$87,700–175,000
Live 10 May, 2 PM Switzerland Time
Manufacturer
Franck Muller
Year
Circa 1991
Case No
Caseback engraved Pièce Unique
Model Name
Janus
Material
18k yellow gold
Calibre
Manual, jeweled
Bracelet/Strap
Alligator
Clasp/Buckle
18k yellow gold Franck Muller pin buckle
Dimensions
38.5 mm diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
Accessories
Accompanied by undated and unstamped Certificate, instructions of use and fitted box (modern)
Full-Cataloguing
Good To Know:
- Worldtime chronograph
- Unique piece and only Janus with multiscale chronograph on back
- Early model signed Franck Genève on main dial
- JP Hagmann case
It would be an understatement to say that Franck Muller took the watchmaking world by storm and was certainly one of the most sought-after watchmakers in the 1980s. With the launch of his eponymous brand in the early 1990s, he gained cult-like status and rock star fame.
Considered a genius watchmaker with golden hands, Franck Muller graduated from watchmaking school in Geneva in the late 1970s and worked on restoring antique pieces. He rapidly established his own workshop in 1983, where he began crafting bespoke watches for private clients.
At a time when major historical brands had emerged limping from the quartz crisis and were still trying to find direction, Muller—who at the time signed his watches under his first name only, Franck Genève—was creating masterpiece after masterpiece, world premiere after world premiere, at a mind-boggling frequency, with collectors lining up at his door begging for one of his bespoke creations.
The present double-faced world time with single-button chronograph was presented in 1991. It is believed that only 11 pieces were made in either yellow gold or platinum. Highly influenced by the Patek Philippe ref. 1415HU, the movements were based on early 20th-century calibers that Muller had found and to which he not only added a world time function based on the Cottier system but also a second chronograph counter on the back.
The front side of the dial features the world time and chronograph indications and is signed Franck Genève, whereas the back features a multi-scale track consisting of a pulsometer, tachymeter, and telemeter, and is signed Franck Muller—a sign of the future birth of his eponymous brand. It is this element that makes the watch unique (the other models featured only a pulsometer scale).
The present watch's desirability reaches new heights thanks to the fact that the case was made by J.P. Hagmann (who stamped his initials inside the lugs). J.P. Hagmann is widely considered one of the—if not the—best case makers in the entire history of horology, having collaborated with virtually all the most important brands.
The watch was named Janus, after the two-faced Roman god of gates, doors, doorways, beginnings, and endings. This obviously refers to the fact that the watch has two sides, but perhaps also because it represents the end of his career as an independent artisanal maker and the beginning of what would become one of the hottest and most influential brands of the 1990s.
- Worldtime chronograph
- Unique piece and only Janus with multiscale chronograph on back
- Early model signed Franck Genève on main dial
- JP Hagmann case
It would be an understatement to say that Franck Muller took the watchmaking world by storm and was certainly one of the most sought-after watchmakers in the 1980s. With the launch of his eponymous brand in the early 1990s, he gained cult-like status and rock star fame.
Considered a genius watchmaker with golden hands, Franck Muller graduated from watchmaking school in Geneva in the late 1970s and worked on restoring antique pieces. He rapidly established his own workshop in 1983, where he began crafting bespoke watches for private clients.
At a time when major historical brands had emerged limping from the quartz crisis and were still trying to find direction, Muller—who at the time signed his watches under his first name only, Franck Genève—was creating masterpiece after masterpiece, world premiere after world premiere, at a mind-boggling frequency, with collectors lining up at his door begging for one of his bespoke creations.
The present double-faced world time with single-button chronograph was presented in 1991. It is believed that only 11 pieces were made in either yellow gold or platinum. Highly influenced by the Patek Philippe ref. 1415HU, the movements were based on early 20th-century calibers that Muller had found and to which he not only added a world time function based on the Cottier system but also a second chronograph counter on the back.
The front side of the dial features the world time and chronograph indications and is signed Franck Genève, whereas the back features a multi-scale track consisting of a pulsometer, tachymeter, and telemeter, and is signed Franck Muller—a sign of the future birth of his eponymous brand. It is this element that makes the watch unique (the other models featured only a pulsometer scale).
The present watch's desirability reaches new heights thanks to the fact that the case was made by J.P. Hagmann (who stamped his initials inside the lugs). J.P. Hagmann is widely considered one of the—if not the—best case makers in the entire history of horology, having collaborated with virtually all the most important brands.
The watch was named Janus, after the two-faced Roman god of gates, doors, doorways, beginnings, and endings. This obviously refers to the fact that the watch has two sides, but perhaps also because it represents the end of his career as an independent artisanal maker and the beginning of what would become one of the hottest and most influential brands of the 1990s.
Franck Muller
Swiss | 1991Specializing in top-quality timepieces, Swiss watchmaking company Franck Muller was founded in 1991 in Geneva. The company was named after watchmaker Franck Muller, also known as the "Master of Complications," and Vartan Sirmakes, Co-Founder and CEO of the Franck Muller Group. Shortly after graduating from watchmaking school in the 1980s, Muller was among the first to create his own tourbillon wristwatch, along with world-renowned brands Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin.
In addition to Muller's fine craftsmanship and intricate complications, the brand is often recognized for its modern designs and colorful flare. To date, the brand's notable lines are the Curvex, Crazy Hours, Casablanca, Conquistador, Long Island and Aeternitas, as well as Revolution2 and Revolution3.