INTRODUCING: Three times the charm – the Franck Muller Vanguard Master Banker Skeleton
If watch brands were Facebook relationship statuses, Franck Muller would be “It’s complicated”. Not because the Swiss-based manufacturer has commitment problems but, rather, quite the opposite. Since its beginnings in Genthod – located in the countryside of Geneva – the innovative brand has been committed to upholding its reputation as the “Master of Complications”. And the latest addition to the enduring Master Banker collection shows off its inner intricacies with a fully skeletonised dial and movement. Vital statistics The perfect picture inside the elegant curves of the trademark Vanguard case. The open-worked dial not only gives view through to the skilfully skeletonised automatic calibre inside but also displays three separate time zones. The central hour, minutes, and seconds hands tell the local time and are synchronised to the date aperture at 9 o’clock. While sitting above and below are two sub-dials, which along with the central time are adjusted via the same crown. The real kicker, however, is that both the hour hand and the minute hand of these sub-dials can be independently adjusted. The wonderfully tonneau-shaped rose gold case measures 44mm wide by 53.7mm long. And a rubber-lined leather strap holds it close to the wrist. Initial thoughts While…
The post INTRODUCING: Three times the charm – the Franck Muller Vanguard Master Banker Skeleton appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
This month was an interesting one, and, as you’ll see, jam-packed with one particular brand. I’ll put this Heuer-overload down to the fact I spent quite a bit of time with local car enthusiasts, who have a lot of time for the brand — especially their chronographs. Let’s kick things off. Local gent Charith recently picked up this Big Pilot, as a memento to mark winning a local boxing match, which he unfortunately lost. Charith has had his eye on the Big Pilot, having always loved the reference, and the stars aligned — letting him make this purchase. The Big Pilot, at 46mm, has quite the presence, and it’s not common to spot this brown dial limited edition on the streets. Later in the month, I made my way out to Elwood one crisp winter morning, for a Porsche event. As I was waiting for a coffee, young collector and fan of T+T, Brandon, revealed a pretty cool piece. He was wearing his 18th birthday present — a vintage Heuer ‘Viceroy’ Autavia. These old ‘Viceroys’ were a promotional watch, launched between Heuer and American cigarette company Viceroy, and were a special version of the Autavia — redeemable for $88 and the end flap from the…