Franck Muller Vanguard

The Franck Muller Vanguard collection takes its name to heart. The Swiss watch manufacturer uses this series to showcase some of their most extraordinary and groundbreaking timepieces. These small works of art reimagine Muller's Cintrée Curvex design and boast exquisite attention to detail. Defining features include a barrel-shaped case, as well as unique applied numerals on most models.

Franck Muller divides the men's and unisex models into nine separate sub-collections. Some of the most popular lines include the Skeleton, Yachting, Gravity, and Classical. The other five series are the Tourbillon, Grande Date, Camouflage, Gold, and Master Banker.

The manufacturer produces each individual component in house at their facilities near Geneva. Known as "Watchland," all of Franck Muller's dials, cases, and mechanical calibers can be traced back to this location. Muller is also highly selective when it comes to materials. Many watches feature rose or white gold, and there are also several especially exclusive diamond-encrusted editions.

Those with less luxurious tastes should take a closer look at the company's carbon, bronze, and titanium watches. Some of these models come with colorful accents that add a decidedly sporty touch. This is especially true of the Camouflage series with its unique dial patterns.

Then there's the Vanguard Lady series with its colorful women's watches. Here, you can choose between two different sizes and cases in stainless steel or rose gold. There are also select models that sparkle with diamond-studded bezels. These watches are available with automatic or quartz movements.

Prices for a new Franck Muller Vanguard cover a relatively wide spectrum. Depending on the material and movement, these watches can cost anywhere from 3,800 USD for a quartz-powered Vanguard Lady to well over 120,000 USD for a gold watch with a highly complicated caliber.

The Vanguard 45 Classical

As its name implies, the Franck Muller Vanguard Classical series contains watches with more traditional designs. One example is the ref. V 45 SC DT CIR (BZ BR NR) - BK with a bronze case and bezel. Franck Muller's characteristic Arabic numerals sit atop its black dial. A generous coating of luminous material on the hands and numerals guarantees optimal readability under all lighting conditions. Degree markers from 0-360, as well as the cardinal directions, run around the outside of the minute track. Inside the case, you'll find an automatic movement powering the hour, minute, and second hands, as well as the date display at 6 o'clock. Sapphire crystal protects the dial and hands from the elements. Like most V 45 models, the case measures 53.7 x 44 mm. It is also water-resistant to 30 m (3 bar, 98 ft), meaning you can keep the watch on while washing your hands. A brown leather strap with a folding clasp completes the look. You can call one of these never-worn timepieces your own for about 7,100 USD.

Franck Muller crafts the case of the Vanguard Yachting Chronograph ref. V 45 CC DT YACHT (BL) out of brushed rose gold. Its case has a depth rating of 30 m (3 bar, 98 ft) and features sapphire crystal. SuperLuminova coats the dial's numerals and hands, causing them to glow in the dark. An inscription reading "Yachting" sits just below 6 o'clock, while the 360-degree scale occupies the dial's outermost edge. Finally, a prominent compass rose occupies the middle of the dial.

An automatic in-house movement with a chronograph function powers this timepiece. It has central hands for the hours, minutes, and chronograph seconds. A pair of white chronograph subdials sit at 3 and 9 o'clock. Two large rectangular pushers on the right side of the case operate the stopwatch. A date display at 6 o'clock rounds off the dial. Franck Muller mounts this timepiece on a blue nylon strap with a rose gold pin buckle clasp. The price for a mint-condition version sits around 18,000 USD.

Franck Muller makes two editions of the ref. V 45 T GR CS SQT BR (NR), both of which are truly eye-catching. Each boasts an intricately skeletonized dial that offers a view of the manual caliber and its tourbillon and delicate finishes. The tourbillon dominates the dial's lower half, while the upper half features a set of conventional hour and minute hands.

One of the most striking features is the tourbillon's cage, which is coated with either red or blue lacquer, depending on the model. Other colorful accents include the hands, minute scale, and "Frank Muller" and "Gravity" inscriptions at 12 and 6 o'clock, respectively. Both versions of this reference are water-resistant to 30 m (3 bar, 98 ft).

The Gravity also comes with a sapphire crystal case back, meaning the wearer can observe the movement from both above and below. Its titanium case has a matte black PVD coating. A black alligator leather strap with matching red or blue decorative stitching keeps this timepiece securely on the wrist. This exclusive model sells for about 95,000 USD on Chrono24.

The ref. V 45 S6 SQT TT NR BR BL LE (AC) has a black PVD-coated stainless steel case. Its skeletonized dial provides a view of the automatic in-house caliber and its green bridges. This movement powers the hour and minute hands, as well as the small seconds at 6 o'clock. Around the dial's edge, you'll find a 360-degree scale, as well as the words "Franck Muller" at 12 and "Seven Days" at 6 o'clock. Sapphire crystal on the front and back protect the watch and its inner workings from dust and moisture.

The case is water-resistant to 30 m (3 bar, 98 ft) and comes on a blue alligator strap with a folding clasp. New, this watch requires an investment of roughly 24,000 USD.

The Vanguard Lady series is home to a wide range of women's watches. Franck Muller splits the Lady into four sub-series: Classic, Moonphase, Gold, and Heart Skeleton. The watches of the first three lines are all 32 mm wide, while Heart Skeleton timepieces measure 42 mm across. Unlike the men's and unisex models, which exclusively come with mechanical calibers, these women's timepieces are available with either a mechanical or quartz caliber. One exception is the Heart Skeleton, which is also strictly mechanically powered.

The rose gold ref. 32 V SC AT AC FO D RS belongs to the Classic line. It has a diamond-studded bezel and a silver dial with 12 of Franck Muller's iconic Arabic numerals. The rose gold hands and bright pink numerals glow in the dark thanks to a coating of SuperLuminova. Other pink elements include the minute scale, alligator leather strap, and cap of the crown. This particular Vanguard Lady gets its power from an automatic movement. If you would like to call one of these timepieces your own, be sure to have about 9,500 USD on hand.