Franck Muller - RETROSPECTIVE: 2000 - 2020 Geneva Sunday, November 8, 2020 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Franck Muller
    Year: Circa 2008
    Reference No: 7880 T CH
    Case No: 05/05
    Model Name: Crazy Hour Tourbillon
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Manual, cal. FM2001-2, 21 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather strap
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum Franck Muller pin buckle
    Dimensions: 51mm Length, 37mm Width
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Franck Muller Certificate of Origin and Warranty stamped by Taiwan retailer Chung Mei Watch Co. Ltd., four additional dials (blue, red, grey and black), numbered sale tag, fitted wooden presentation box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Among the first independent watchmakers to truly make a “splash in the pond” of high-end watchmaking, and to this day still one of the most iconoclastic, Franck Muller created some of the most intriguing and whimsical complicated timepieces of the past three decades. Active with his own brand since 1991, he can be credited as one of the earliest innovators in the field of complicated horology, daring to merge a very high-end technical approach with a set of modern and carefree aesthetic canons. For example, his re-interpretation of the explosion numerals on the dial, and the large, tonneau-shaped, highly iconic case design were at the time very disruptive design choices for complicated timepieces. The movements as well are testament to his eccentric genius: next to classical complications such as the tourbillon and the minute repeater, Franck Muller developed more playful but sometimes equally complicated ones such as the Vegas (a functioning roulette), or the present “crazy hour”, where the arrangement of the hour numerals on the dial is mixed up, the hour hand jumping back and forth from hour to hour at :00 rather than following its usual constant circular motion.

    The present timepiece is a perfect representative of the volcanic creativity that is Franck Muller: featuring all the aesthetic canons which make this brand so iconic, it can be arguable considered the ultimate merging of horological sacred and profane, featuring at the same time the tourbillon regulator - one of the holy grails of classical high-end watchmaking - and the playful crazy hour complication. An added bonus of this astounding timepiece is the presence of four additional dial: one blue and one red for a more playful dressing, and one grey and one black for more formal occasions.
    A highly limited edition of 5 pieces, the present example is made even more appealing by being the last or the series: number 05/05.

  • Artist Biography

    Franck Muller

    Swiss • 1991

    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.

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Ref. 7880 T CH
A whimsical and extremely rare platinum "crazy hour" wristwatch with tourbillon regulator, 4 additional dials, Certificate and box, number 5 of a 5 pieces limited edition

Circa 2008
51mm Length, 37mm Width
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF20,000 - 30,000 
€18,500-27,800
$21,800-32,700

Sold for CHF32,760

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

 

Thomas Perazzi

Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2031

WatchesHK@phillips.com

RETROSPECTIVE: 2000 - 2020

Geneva Auction 8 November 2020