New with hands-on: #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard

Franck Muller collaborates with Japanese streetware label #FR2 to create a new #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard with the DNA of both houses.

New with hands-on: Franck Muller and #FR2 collaborates on new FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard

The new #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard will retail for SGD 15,800 inclusive of GST. Limited edition of 800 pieces.

Just in, and just in time for the new Chinese New Year of the Rabbit, Franck Muller and Tokyo-based streetwear label #FR2 reveals the new #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard.

This novelty is based on the standard Franck Muller Vanguard automatic date watch. But injected into this base watch is the design language of the Japanese brand. The brand’s founder Ryo Ishikawa made his mark with the brand Vanquish, and later in partnership with Hiroshi Fujiwara to form Denim by Vanquish and Fragment. Two Fxxking Rabbits, or #FR2 is his latest focus. And uses his design expertise of graphic elements to combine fashion with photography. The use of white, the motif of the two rabbits, the bold typography and glow in the dark features results in a rather edgy aesthetic. One which we think would be appealing to a younger demographic who love street wear.

The monochromatic look of the watch with its white dial and huge black Franck Muller arabic numerals is de rigeur for the Vanguard collection. Except that instead of the numeral 7, #FR2’s iconoclastic rabbit motif of two fxxking rabbits appears, with one rabbit has his face turned, and his red eye providing the sole spot of colour to the entire dial.

In the dark the lume is quite unique as well as SuperLumiNova is applied to the skeletonised obelisk hands, indices and the graphic motif. Even the white fabric strap glows in the dark. As an added #FR2 touch, the fabric is printed with black text in the typography that will be familiar to the brand’s aficionados.

The case is the standard Franck Muller’s tonneau shaped Vanguard case, but now in a carbon fibre and glass fiber composite material. The material uses a resin to bond carbon powder to glass fiber, and is made by baking the case at 150°C under 200 tons of pressure. Random variations occur during the mix and compression, and every watch case offers a unique pattern of striations. The finish is a matte, and rather nice to the touch. The composite material has a soft satiny feel.

The watch feels rather light, but the design probably the most fashion forward Franck Muller watch ever made. The edginess associated is perhaps par for the course with the streetwear collaboration. This newfound vibrance and energy might be just the new direction needed for a brand which has probably seen better days, to return to the the limelight.

The release is exclusive to Southeast Asia, and is a limited edition of only 800 pieces.

#FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard Reference V 41 SC DT FR2 GFGRNR (NR) Specifications

Case:	Vanguard case Carbon and glass fibre composite Hand polished Rhodium plating Water resistant up to 30 meters Width: 41 mm x Length: 49.95 mm x Thickness: 12.2 mm Sapphire crystal
Dial:	Matte white Super-Luminova applied rabbits Numerals in black PVD meticulously applied by hand

Functions:

Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Date at 6 o’clock

Movement:	MVT FM 800-DT Self-winding movement with bidirectional rotor system Power reserve of 42 hours 165 components 21 jewels Diameter: Ø 26.20 mm. Thickness: 5.50 mm Balance wheel frequency set at 28,800 alternations per hour
Movement decoration:	Côtes de Genève on bridges and the rotor plate Perlage on the mainplate Chamfering on the rotor board Diamond polishing on the sinks and bridge bevels Sunray brushing on the bridges, rotor segment, bearing cage and barrel coverSnailing on the ratchets Circular satin brushing on the wheels

Strap:

White nylon strap with black print Titanium buckle with black PVD coating