Franck Muller 3870 Lemania Chronograph
Description
This is the Franck Muller 3870 Chronograph. A true watchmaker, Franck Muller began his career doing restorations for brands such as Patek Philippe before setting up his eponymous brand in 1991. Known as the Master of Complications, Franck Muller himself specialised in complicated wristwatches, culminating in two titles of the “most complicated wristwatch in the world”.
While Franck Muller today is far from it’s heyday in the early 2000s when the brand was among the most popular in the world, the early work of Franck Muller truly went under the radar. It was not until recently that early Franck Muller chronographs with hand-wound Lemania movements became popular, coinciding with the renaissance of the neo-vintage era. It is from this period of the storied watchmaker that the 3870 chronograph came about.
Not to be confused with the 7000 series that ran on automatic movements with a Valjoux base and a larger case size, the early 37mm Franck Muller Chronographs ran on the modified Lemania 1874, the same base as other popular watches such as the Omega Speedmaster and can be viewed via the sapphire caseback. There’s a lot to like about this variant of the 3870 that borrows heavily from important chronographs of the past such as the stepped case and the rounded pump pushers. The case is rose gold, matched by the Roman indices and hands in the same colour. The silver subdials provide a nice contrast against the black dial under a slightly domed crystal.
Unfortunately for the brand, it appears to have lost its previous luster due to lawsuits and scandals. It’s a pity as earlier Franck Mullers exude a level of charm and ingenuity that is in my opinion lacking in their more modern offerings. As an early independent, the early Franck Mullers have also risen in popularity together with several others of their time and it’s fortunate that watches such as these are still exchanging hands as proof of the beauty of the earlier work from the “Master of Complications” himself.
Condition
This Franck Muller Lemania Chronograph is in excellent pre-owned condition. There are minimal signs of prior wear on the rose gold case with both crystals in perfect condition. The case engravings are still clear. It retains its original strap and buckle and the watch is in full working order.
Specifications
Brand Franck Muller
Model Manual Wind Chronograph
Reference 3870NA
Case 36
Movement Manual Wind
Case material Rose Gold
Bracelet material Leather
Year circa 1990s
Condition Excellent
Accessories None. Watch Only
Limited No. Discontinued.
All Prices in USD
Worldwide Shipping Available via Fedex Insured
Description
This is the Franck Muller 3870 Chronograph. A true watchmaker, Franck Muller began his career doing restorations for brands such as Patek Philippe before setting up his eponymous brand in 1991. Known as the Master of Complications, Franck Muller himself specialised in complicated wristwatches, culminating in two titles of the “most complicated wristwatch in the world”.
While Franck Muller today is far from it’s heyday in the early 2000s when the brand was among the most popular in the world, the early work of Franck Muller truly went under the radar. It was not until recently that early Franck Muller chronographs with hand-wound Lemania movements became popular, coinciding with the renaissance of the neo-vintage era. It is from this period of the storied watchmaker that the 3870 chronograph came about.
Not to be confused with the 7000 series that ran on automatic movements with a Valjoux base and a larger case size, the early 37mm Franck Muller Chronographs ran on the modified Lemania 1874, the same base as other popular watches such as the Omega Speedmaster and can be viewed via the sapphire caseback. There’s a lot to like about this variant of the 3870 that borrows heavily from important chronographs of the past such as the stepped case and the rounded pump pushers. The case is rose gold, matched by the Roman indices and hands in the same colour. The silver subdials provide a nice contrast against the black dial under a slightly domed crystal.
Unfortunately for the brand, it appears to have lost its previous luster due to lawsuits and scandals. It’s a pity as earlier Franck Mullers exude a level of charm and ingenuity that is in my opinion lacking in their more modern offerings. As an early independent, the early Franck Mullers have also risen in popularity together with several others of their time and it’s fortunate that watches such as these are still exchanging hands as proof of the beauty of the earlier work from the “Master of Complications” himself.
Condition
This Franck Muller Lemania Chronograph is in excellent pre-owned condition. There are minimal signs of prior wear on the rose gold case with both crystals in perfect condition. The case engravings are still clear. It retains its original strap and buckle and the watch is in full working order.
Specifications
Brand Franck Muller
Model Manual Wind Chronograph
Reference 3870NA
Case 36
Movement Manual Wind
Case material Rose Gold
Bracelet material Leather
Year circa 1990s
Condition Excellent
Accessories None. Watch Only
Limited No. Discontinued.
All Prices in USD
Worldwide Shipping Available via Fedex Insured
Description
This is the Franck Muller 3870 Chronograph. A true watchmaker, Franck Muller began his career doing restorations for brands such as Patek Philippe before setting up his eponymous brand in 1991. Known as the Master of Complications, Franck Muller himself specialised in complicated wristwatches, culminating in two titles of the “most complicated wristwatch in the world”.
While Franck Muller today is far from it’s heyday in the early 2000s when the brand was among the most popular in the world, the early work of Franck Muller truly went under the radar. It was not until recently that early Franck Muller chronographs with hand-wound Lemania movements became popular, coinciding with the renaissance of the neo-vintage era. It is from this period of the storied watchmaker that the 3870 chronograph came about.
Not to be confused with the 7000 series that ran on automatic movements with a Valjoux base and a larger case size, the early 37mm Franck Muller Chronographs ran on the modified Lemania 1874, the same base as other popular watches such as the Omega Speedmaster and can be viewed via the sapphire caseback. There’s a lot to like about this variant of the 3870 that borrows heavily from important chronographs of the past such as the stepped case and the rounded pump pushers. The case is rose gold, matched by the Roman indices and hands in the same colour. The silver subdials provide a nice contrast against the black dial under a slightly domed crystal.
Unfortunately for the brand, it appears to have lost its previous luster due to lawsuits and scandals. It’s a pity as earlier Franck Mullers exude a level of charm and ingenuity that is in my opinion lacking in their more modern offerings. As an early independent, the early Franck Mullers have also risen in popularity together with several others of their time and it’s fortunate that watches such as these are still exchanging hands as proof of the beauty of the earlier work from the “Master of Complications” himself.
Condition
This Franck Muller Lemania Chronograph is in excellent pre-owned condition. There are minimal signs of prior wear on the rose gold case with both crystals in perfect condition. The case engravings are still clear. It retains its original strap and buckle and the watch is in full working order.
Specifications
Brand Franck Muller
Model Manual Wind Chronograph
Reference 3870NA
Case 36
Movement Manual Wind
Case material Rose Gold
Bracelet material Leather
Year circa 1990s
Condition Excellent
Accessories None. Watch Only
Limited No. Discontinued.
All Prices in USD
Worldwide Shipping Available via Fedex Insured