Manufacturer: Franck Muller Year: 2000 Reference No: 3870 NA DF Case No: 05 Model Name: Chronograph Double Face Material: 18k yellow gold Calibre: Manual, based on cal Lemania 1874 Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold Frank Muller pin buckle Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Frank Muller fitted box, Certificate, owner's book, purchase invoice, owner's book from retailer, outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Known for his daring designs, Franck Muller started his career producing rather subtle watches inspired from his days restoring some of the rarest and most complicated watches of the past. Muller is also part of the fantastic group of young watchmakers – along with Roth, Dubuis or Halter- who had decided to go independent and launch his eponymous brand in 1991.
One of his first creations was a double sided chronograph inspired by the Patek Philippe ref 1463 “Tasti Tondi”. He obviously re imagined the chronograph by placing an oversized seconds counter on the reverse of the watch, a complication once found on pocket watches.
The front features a conventional dial with chronograph registers, while the back has an oversized, one-minute register with center seconds as well as a pulsometer, tachymeter and telemeter, operated by the chronograph buttons. Due to its large display, the scales are significantly easier to read than on an ordinary chronograph.
According to Nicholas Rudaz, CEO of Franck Muller these double sided chronographs were all commissioned by an Italian retailer in the ’90s. They were made in small series of 40 - 50 watches each time.
This particular double sided chronograph is a true symbol of a bygone era where independent watchmaking was still in its infancy.
Specializing 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.
Ref. 3870 NA DF An intriguing and well-preserved yellow gold double-dialed chronograph wristwatch with telemetre, tachymetre and pulsations scale, certificate and presentation box
2000 36mm Diameter Case, dial, movement and buckle signed