Cover Franck Muller Grand Central Tourbillon Flash in blazing orange (Photo: Franck Muller)
Franck Muller Grand Central Tourbillon Flash in blazing orange (Photo: Franck Muller)
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The Franck Muller Grand Central Tourbillon Flash debuts in three fun, fluorescent colours
Every year, Franck Muller holds the World Presentation of Haute Horlogerie (WPHH), its own watch fair where the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer unveils its latest timepieces. Among the fine novelties released at this year’s highly anticipated presentation, a standout has been the new Grand Central Tourbillon Flash for its sleek, futuristic edge.
Inspired by the universe of futuristic automobiles, the new Grand Central Tourbillon Flash looks like a prop right out of a sci-fi or space-age movie. Boasting the sleek curves and contours of Franck Muller’s signature Cintrée Curvex CX case, the new timepiece rides hot on the heels of the successful Grand Central Tourbillon that Franck Muller debuted in 2021 as the world’s first tonneau-shaped centre tourbillon watch. In a groundbreaking technical feat, Franck Muller managed to completely rethink and redesign the watch in order to move the tourbillon from its original position at 6 o’clock to the center of the watch.
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Above Franck Muller Grand Central Tourbillon Flash in neon green (Photo: Franck Muller)
Franck Muller Grand Central Tourbillon Flash in neon green (Photo: Franck Muller)
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Never one to shy away from bold, even quirky, design, Franck Muller draws even more attention to the central tourbillon by eschewing its typical numerals for bright, neon coloured indices in either blazing orange, neon green or electric blue. These eye-catching indices contrast with the microblasted black matte dial and seem to radiate outward from the centre of the timepiece like sun rays, further highlighting the hypnotic mechanics of the tourbillon. Under UV light, these indices made in Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) have a fluorescent effect, making this watch a fun one for the club or a rave. A striking neon arrow on the tourbillon's cage bridge complements the indices, and rotates around the nucleus like an electron, enabling the seconds to be read.
In order to achieve the sleek look and smooth curves of the Grand Central Tourbillon Flash, the movement is fitted to the curved case middle and the sapphire crystal on the case extends all the way to the lugs. The latter is a feat feat achieved only after perfecting a special technique of fixing the glass at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock, which not only allows for greater visibility of the flashy indices and mesmerising central tourbillon but also gives the Curvex CX case its most curved profile to date.
The Franck Muller Grand Central Tourbillon Flash comes in a 36.5mm Curvex CX case (Photo: Franck Muller)
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The bezel, made in two-tone blackened titanium, is also separate from its 36.5mm case to create more depth and highlight the sensuous curves of the watch. Equipped with a self-winding movement, the Grand Central Tourbillon Flash offers a 4-day power reserve. It comes with an integrated neon strap made of nylon with a calf leather underside, in three striking shades that match the bold indices on the timepiece.
The Grand Central Tourbillon Flash is available in Asia in size CX 36 and in three colours: blazing orange, neon green and electric blue.
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Annabel Tan is the Editor of Watches and Jewellery at Tatler Singapore, where she covers all things luxury timepieces and fine jewellery across both print and digital platforms. She is also the Editor of Tatler GMT Singapore, a role that deepens her fascination with the ever-evolving world of watchmaking. Outside of work, she’s usually on the hunt for her next favourite watch that she can’t afford, planning her next beach getaway, or catching up on the latest Formula 1 race.
