Introducing Franck Muller Grand Central Tourbillon Flash CX 36

Housed in the Curvex CX case, the tourbillon now basks in neon glow

Often referred to as a Master of Complications, Franck Muller has a long fascination with the tourbillon. The mechanism is designed to counter the negative effects of gravity on the precision of a mechanical watch and is mesmerising to look at as it makes its balletic spin in its cage.

Ever the audacious watchmaker, Franck Muller has always been quite creative with its interpretations of the tourbillon. It boasts the biggest tourbillon ever with the Giga Tourbillon and created the revolutionary triple axis tourbillon. The tourbillon also appears in the manufacture's most complicated wristwatch yet, one of a whopping 36 complications in the Aeternitas Mega.

Above Franck Muller Grand Central Tourbillon

For such a grand complication as the spinning tourbillon, it clearly warrants a front and centre position. Franck Muller did just that with its aptly named Grand Central Tourbillon, with the gravity-cancelling mechanism right in the middle of the watch dial. The Grand Central Tourbillon has the distinction of being the world's first central tourbillon watch in a tonneau-shaped case.

This year, Franck Muller has updated the Grand Central Tourbillon with boldly coloured indexes—replacing the Arabic numerals of its predecessor—that lends a striking contrast against the microblasted matte black brass dial. The choice of colours include blazing orange, neon green, and electric blue.

Franck Muller Grand Central Tourbillon Flash CX 36

Above The coloured indexes and neon arrow on the tourbillon bridge of Franck Muller Grand Central Tourbillon Flash X 36

The coloured indexes and neon arrow on the tourbillon bridge of Franck Muller Grand Central Tourbillon Flash X 36

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Using an ingenious "stacking" technique, the hands are placed around the central tourbillon cage with the seconds hand indicated by a neon arrow on the tourbillon bridge. The CX case is carbon with a bezel made of blackened titanium. The sapphire crystal extends all the way to the lugs thanks to a special technique of fixing the glass at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock to give the Curvex CX its most curved profile yet. The watch comes with a matching neon strap of nylon with calf leather underside.

Above Assembling Franck Muller Grand Central Tourbillon Flash CX 36

Assembling Franck Muller Grand Central Tourbillon Flash CX 36

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Beating within is the self-winding MVT FM CX 36T-CTR movement with 4-day power reserve. The movement components are finished in a number of fine techniques including circular graining, diamond polishing, and sunray brushing; the bridges, in particular, stand out for their Côtes de Genève decoration.