We spoke to Franck Muller CEO Nicolas Ruders, who visited Japan to promote the new collection, about the company's watchmaking.
Edited & Text by Yukiya Suzuki (Chronos-Japan)
[Article published in the July 2024 issue of Kronos Japan]
We need to continue to demonstrate the wonderful history of complicated watches with our new products.
CEO of Franck Muller. Born in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1970. Studied hotel management at the University of West London. Started his career in the luxury industry as front office manager at the Four Seasons Hotel in London. After working at a luxury hotel in Switzerland, he joined the Franck Muller Group in 2007. He has been in his current position since 21. He is responsible for management strategy together with founder Franck Muller and co-owner Vartan Sirmakes.
"In the 17 years since I joined the company, we have maintained the brand's DNA in both design and the development of complex mechanisms. If you ask where Franck Muller's DNA lies, it is in the complications and their design. In recent years, we have also been focusing on coloring, and in addition to the rich colors, we must not forget the sparkle of diamonds."
You have a manufacturing system in place for not only complicated watches but also basic models.
"That's right. Currently, we are developing a collection aimed at a wide range of watch lovers, and we are creating watches that have a special feel to them. We would like all watch collectors to take a look at our Giga Tourbillon, Thunderbolt Tourbillon (high-speed tourbillon), Grand Central Tourbillon, and this year's new Master Jumper. It goes without saying that each model is very appealing in terms of philosophy, design, and color. Every Franck Muller model is unique from other companies and is always an exciting piece."
This year's new model, praised by Franck Muller himself, is one of the world's first complications. It features three jumping display mechanisms: the hour at 12 o'clock, the minutes in the center, and the date at 6 o'clock. Developed over four years, this five-disc jumping system is housed in a striking Grand Curvex case. Manual winding. 18KPG x stainless steel case (55.7mm x 38mm). Water resistant for everyday use. Estimated price: 1485 million yen (tax included). Release date to be determined.
The new collection to be released in 2024 will be themed around colour and material.
"The new models unveiled at WPHH feature unprecedented colors, materials, and complications. Keep an eye out for models featuring diamonds, as co-founder Vartan Sirmakes was originally a diamond setter."
What collections will you be focusing on going forward?
"Certainly, complications are our biggest selling point. As we have demonstrated with our new 24 models, we are pushing the limits of watches even higher. At the same time, no matter how complicated a watch may be, we never forget about aesthetics. Complicated watches have now become integrated into design. For Franck Muller, tourbillons are an indispensable part, but no matter how big or how fast they are, we always focus on their beauty. Franck Muller's past is truly a past engraved with complications. Therefore, by releasing new models every year, we need to prove just how wonderfully our history is engraved with complications."
