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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Perpetual calendar chronograph

Franck Muller Cintrée Curvex Perpetual Calendar Reference 6850 QPE

Partially verified

This Franck Muller wristwatch, identified as a Cintrée Curvex Perpetual Calendar reference 6850 QPE, was produced in 2001. The tonneau-shaped case is constructed from 18K white gold with both polished and brushed finishes, measuring 34 by 47 millimeters with a thickness of 13 millimeters. It is powered by the self-winding Calibre 1188MC movement, which features 37 jewels, a rhodium-plated finish with fausses cotes decoration, and a rotor with a platinum segment. The watch functions as an astronomic timepiece, incorporating a perpetual calendar with a retrograde month indicator, an equation of time feature, and moon phases displayed via an aperture at 12 o'clock. The dial is finished in guilloche silver with painted Arabic numerals and blued steel spade hands. The piece includes an 18K white gold Franck Muller buckle and is secured to the wrist with an alligator-style strap.

Front view of the Franck Muller Cintrée Curvex showing the silver guilloche dial, moon phase display, and chronograph pushers.
Front view of the Franck Muller Cintrée Curvex showing the silver guilloche dial, moon phase display, and chronograph pushers. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Wristwatch · Perpetual calendar chronograph
Maker / attribution
Franck Muller
Reference
6850 QPE
Catalogue / lot identifier
50
Source-reported date
2001
Source-reported place
Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial Design

The watch features a tonneau-shaped, curved case manufactured in 18K white gold. The finish incorporates both polished and brushed surfaces, and the construction is of a two-body design. The case back is held in place by four screws, and the crystal is sapphire. Measuring 34 mm by 47 mm with a thickness of 13 mm, the watch occupies a significant profile on the wrist.

The dial is rendered in a guilloche silver texture, featuring radial Arabic numerals and indexes. A peripheral track displays 1/5th seconds with additional 5-second markers on a plain reserve. Complications are managed through subsidiary guilloche dials for the day, date, leap year, and 24-hour cycle, with a retrograde sector for the months and the equation of time indicator located at the 6 o'clock position. The moon phases are viewed through an aperture at the top of the dial. Blued steel spade hands are used for indicating the time.

Evidence for this section
  • “tonneau-shaped, curved, astronomic, self-winding, 18K white gold wristwatch”
  • “Guilloche silver with painted radial Arabic numerals and indexes”
  • “subsidiary guilloche silver dials for the days of the month, of the week, the 24 hours and the leap year”

Movement and Mechanical Details

The timepiece is driven by the Calibre 1188MC, an automatic movement. The plates are rhodium-plated and feature fausses cotes decoration. The movement contains 37 jewels and includes a monometallic balance adjusted to 5 positions. A shock absorber system is fitted, along with a self-compensating flat balance spring. The winding system utilizes a rotor that is supplemented with a platinum segment for mass.

The auction description confirms that the dial, case, and movement are all signed by Franck Muller.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cal. 1188MC, rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, 37 jewels”
  • “rotor with platinum segment”
  • “Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense”

Condition and Authenticity

The auction description provides a grading assessment for the watch. It assigns an overall grade of AAA Excellent, with specific breakdown grades for the components: the case is graded as 2 (very good), the movement as 2* (very good), and the dial as 1-01 (as new). The hands are noted as original to the watch.

These condition reports are provided as part of the listing documentation for the reference 6850 QPE model. No additional information regarding the watch's service history or prior ownership is provided in the source text.

Evidence for this section
  • “Grading System Grade: AAA Excellent”
  • “Case: 2 Very good”
  • “Movement: 2* Very good”
  • “Dial: 1-01 As new”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific mechanical mechanism behind the equation of time complication on this reference?
  • How many total pieces of the 6850 QPE were produced during the 2001 production run?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Franck Muller Cintrée Curvex Perpetual Calendar Reference 6850 QPE
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerFranck Muller“Franck Muller, Genève”
Reference6850 QPE“Ref. 6850 QPE”
Year of Manufacture2001“Made in 2001”
Case Material18K white gold“18K white gold wristwatch”
MovementCalibre 1188MC“Cal. 1188MC”
Case Dimensions34 x 47 mm“Dim. 34 x 47 mm”
Jewel Count37“37 jewels”
Case BackSecured with 4 screws“case back with 4 screws”

Visible details

  • Guilloche pattern on the silver dial
  • Blued steel spade hands
  • Oval-shaped chronograph pushers on the side of the case
  • Moon phase aperture positioned at the 12 o'clock marker

Research qualifications

  • The source indicates that an overhaul is recommended at the buyer's expense.
  • The movement grading of 2* suggests a degree of wear or functional status that requires professional review.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Franck Muller - White Gold - Perpetual Calendar Retrograde Franck Muller, Genève, "Cintrée Curvex, Perpetual Calendar," Ref. 6850 QPE. Made in 2001. Very fine and rare, tonneau-shaped, curved, astronomic, self-winding, 18K white gold wristwatch with oval shaped button chronograph, perpetual calendar with retrograde month, moon phases and an 18K white gold Franck Muller buckle.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record c7d0bf50d6

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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