Tatler+
Black diamonds and various other tweaks create a darker, edgier iteration of a beloved Franck Muller timepiece
When Franck Muller’s Vanguard line made its debut in 2014, it was hailed as yet another triumph for the brand. The timepiece’s calling card was its tonneau‑shaped case, which not only pushed the boundaries of Franck Muller’s neoclassic aesthetic, but also pointed to the lineage that inspired its design. The Vanguard’s lack of lugs also allowed larger case sizes to be worn comfortably without any overhang—a detail that made the line especially suitable as a platform for creating bold, sporty watches.
Instead of just sticking to a single formula, however, Franck Muller has taken the Vanguard in the opposite direction with various feminine iterations. One notable highlight is the Vanguard Rose Skeleton, which was introduced in 2021 to critical acclaim. The timepiece makes its return this year in a new guise, the Vanguard Rose Skeleton Black Diamonds, with five references that explore the darker, edgier, and more seductive side of things.
The new Vanguard Rose Skeleton Black Diamonds is, like its predecessor, a stunning blend of several Franck Muller signatures. There’s the Vanguard case, of course, slightly upsized from the original’s 32mm to measure 35mm across. This has enhanced the watch’s presence, while maintaining suitably diminutive dimensions to suit a wide range of women’s wrists.
Read more: 5 Highlights at the Franck Muller x Cortina Watch Exhibition