The legend of the "Tonneau Curvex" created by the rare pioneer Franck Muller

The Tonneau Curvex was created by independent watchmaker Franck Muller in the 1980s. Its case, with its three-dimensional curves and non-flat shape, not only became an icon of the brand, but also grew to become a major presence, leading the subsequent boom in mechanical watches. We explore its universal appeal through the brand's 30th anniversary model.

Franck Muller "Tonneau Curvex 30th"

　It has been 30 years since Franck Muller, a renowned genius watchmaker, founded his own company, Franck Muller Watchland, with Vartan Sirmakes and began full-scale wristwatch production. During this time, the company has expanded its collection by developing new cases such as the Long Island and Vanguard, and has grown Franck Muller from a microbrand made by an independent watchmaker into one of Switzerland's leading watch manufacturers. However, even with the launch of new collections, it is the original Tonneau Curvex that has always been the face of the brand and continues to drive its popularity.

　The Tonneau Curvex is synonymous not only with the brand but also with the watchmaker Franck Muller. The creation of this case shape, which differs from a tonneau shape and has no flat surfaces and is sometimes referred to as a three-dimensional curve, dates back to the 1980s. It all began during a dinner with an Italian collector, when the collector's wife asked, "Why don't you create a watch with your own unique design?" Muller, who had previously focused solely on developing complicated watches, was inspired by this comment to begin producing unique cases, resulting in the creation of the Tonneau Curvex. If Muller had continued to produce complicated watches instead of the Tonneau Curvex, the brand would never have grown to this extent, and the boom in independent watchmakers in the 1990s might never have occurred.

　The new "Tonneau Curvex 30th" is the first model to feature the Tonneau Curvex in the 30th anniversary commemoration series. Combining the iconic case with a checkered dial, this masterpiece embodies the very essence of Franck Muller. Available in three colors—white, blue, and black—the dials achieve a unique luster through the application of 20 thick layers of lacquer. The rich sheen that emerges when illuminated is difficult to achieve with the current trend of thin lacquer finishes or vapor-deposited color dials such as PVD and CVD, and is a unique allure of the company's long history of thick lacquer application. Furthermore, such a thick layer of lacquer would normally obscure any patterns applied to the base metal. The distinct checkered pattern on this model is a testament to the deep embossing achieved through press embossing.

　The Tonneau Curvex was created by a rare pioneer, and its legend continues to fascinate watch enthusiasts.