Franck Muller World Time 2800 HM38

US$0.00

SOLD

Description

This is the Franck Muller World Time reference 2800. 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 Mullers became popular, coinciding with the renaissance of the neo-vintage era. It is from this period of the storied watchmaker that the aforementioned reference was born.

Employing the Cottier-style World Time complication reminiscent of the legendary Patek Philippe 1415 with teardrop shaped lugs and a rotating bezel, it is clear where the inspiration of the reference 2800 is derived from. The bezel is engraved with 24 cities representing the different timezones. Powered by a modified ETA 2892-2, the dial features a central guilloche finish with blue steel Breguet-style hands and an independent serpentine-style GMT hour hand. A modern interpretation of the world time complication with vintage influences, the reference truly showcases the brand’s aspirations as well as the maker’s abilities during that time period.

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 the 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 World Time 2800 is in excellent pre-owned condition with only minimal signs of wear. The bezel and engravings remain in excellent condition with only very light hairlines from prior use. All engravings are deep and legible on the caseback. The dial shows no sign of age and it comes accompanied with its original Franck Muller strap and 18K yellow gold buckle. The watch is in full working order.