Franck Muller has always had a flair for the unconventional. Known for his irreverent approach with haute horology (see: Crazy Hours), the self-appointed ‘Master of Complications’ combines his penchant for colour and tonneau-shaped cases in the Vanguard Beach collection. Designed for those whose — much like Ken — job is “just beach,” the Franck Muller Vanguard Beach collection is an ode to carefree holidays and endless possibilities.
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Bathed in fiery red, cerulean blue, and emerald green, the largely monochromatic trio blend vibrant hues with the Swiss manufacture’s signature case shape. Introduced in 2014, the Vanguard collection paid homage to its eponymous founder’s penchant for tonneau-shaped cases, while imbuing the silhouette with a casual, sporty aesthetic. Despite its weighty presence on the wrist, the absence of lugs contributed to the Vanguard’s wearability, with the collection garnering acclaim with horological aficionados and newcomers alike.
Today, the Vanguard collection provides the ideal canvas for aesthetic and technical exploration, having been executed in various materials and taken on different colours and complications.
Here, the funky aesthetic of the Franck Muller Vanguard Beach collection belies its material engineering. Crafted from a glass fibre composite, the 41mm by 49.5mm case features a pattern of undulating lines designed to resemble the ripples in the sand on the beach. Achieved by melting down the glass and layering multiple dyed sheets together, each watch case balances lightweightness with durability; at just a quarter of the density of steel, glass fibre composite is often used in sports equipment.
The light blue dial features white hand-painted Arabic numerals in varying sizes, arranged around a central dark blue circle that bears the Frank Muller logo and ‘beach’ inscription. There’s also a date indicator at 6 o’clock. Velcro fabric straps are colour-matched to the case. Under the skin, the Franck Muller Vanguard Beach is powered by the self-winding calibre MVT FM 800-DT which has a 42-hour power reserve.
The Vanguard Beach collection is non-limited, but exclusive to the Asia-Pacific region. Priced at $17,000AUD, it’s available via the Franck Muller webstore.
Words by Theo Rosen
