Wristwatch · Tourbillon chronograph with perpetual calendar

Franck Muller Tourbillon Split-Seconds Perpetual Calendar Equation of Time Ref. 1790 QPTR

Partially verified

This Franck Muller wristwatch, identified as reference 1790 QPTR, is a complex timepiece featuring a tourbillon regulator and a perpetual calendar with an equation of time function. Produced in the 1990s, the watch is constructed in platinum and includes a co-axial split-seconds chronograph mechanism. The dial displays multiple complications, including a moon phase aperture, retrograde equation of time, and various sub-dials for the date, day of the week, leap year, and a 24-hour register. The movement is a rhodium-plated 26-jewel caliber, notable for its hand-engraved finish and A-shaped steel tourbillon cage. The watch features a three-body case with a transparent, hand-engraved case back and straight lugs, paired with a platinum Franck Muller buckle. It is documented by the auction description as numbered 04, with a case diameter of 39 mm and a silver satin-finished dial.

Front view of the Franck Muller reference 1790 QPTR showing the dial layout, and a view of the hand-engraved movement components through the transparent case back. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category: Wristwatch · Tourbillon chronograph with perpetual calendar
Maker / attribution: Franck Muller
Reference: 1790 QPTR
Catalogue / lot identifier: 250
Source-reported date: 1990s
Source-reported place: Switzerland
Source-reported serial: 04

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 three-body platinum case with a 39 mm diameter, characterized by straight, rounded lugs. The case construction incorporates sapphire crystals on both sides, with the case back being transparent and featuring hand-engraving. The watch is worn on a strap secured by a platinum buckle bearing the maker's mark.

The dial is executed in a satine silver finish, featuring applied blued steel pyramid indices arranged on a guilloche reserve. The display is densely populated with indicators for a perpetual calendar and chronograph, including guilloched ring dials for the days of the month, the week, the leap year, and a 24-hour indication. A dedicated sector at the 9 o'clock position serves the retrograde equation of time, complemented by an aperture for moon phases and a 30-minute chronograph register.

Evidence for this section

“C. Three-body, solid, polished, transparent and hand-engraved case back, straight and rounded lugs, sapphire crystals.”
“D. Satine silver with applied blued steel pyramid indexes on an outer ?guilloche? reserve, ?guilloché? ring dials for the days of the month, of the week, the leap year, the 24 hours and 30-minute register, at 9 sector for the retrograde equation of time, aperture for the moon phases.”

Movement and Complications

The movement is identified as Caliber 14''' and is rhodium-plated. It features a manual-winding construction with hand-engraved finishing throughout the plate and bridges. The escapement is a lateral lever type, regulated by a one-minute tourbillon featuring an A-shaped steel carriage. The balance assembly utilizes a self-compensating Breguet balance-spring and a monometallic balance wheel.

The watch functions as a co-axial split-seconds chronograph. This complexity is integrated alongside the perpetual calendar mechanism. The movement architecture relies on 26 jewels to manage the various components of the astronomical and timing displays, all of which are visible through the sapphire case back.

Evidence for this section

“M. Cal. 14???, hand-engraved, rhodium plated, 26 jewels, lateral lever escapement with one-minute tourbillon regulator with A-shaped steel frame, monometallic balance, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring.”
“co-axial round button split-seconds chronograph, perpetual calendar, moon phases, retrograde equation of time”

Provenance and Condition

The watch is identified in the source as lot 250, numbered 04 within its specific reference series. The documentation provided confirms that both the dial and the movement are signed by the manufacturer. The auction description explicitly reports the case, movement, and dial as being in 'As new' condition, designated as Grade 1.

The attribution and the descriptive details regarding the caliber and complications are derived directly from the archival data associated with this specific lot.

Evidence for this section

“No. 04, Ref. 1790 QPTR. Produced in the 1990s.”
“Grading System Grade: Case: 1 As new Movement: 1 As new Dial: 1”

Open research questions

Are there known variations of the hand-engraving patterns on the caliber 14 movements for this reference?
How many total units of reference 1790 QPTR were produced during the 1990s?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Franck Muller Tourbillon Split-Seconds Perpetual Calendar Equation of Time Ref. 1790 QPTR
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Maker	Franck Muller	“Franck Muller, Geneve”
Reference	1790 QPTR	“Ref. 1790 QPTR”
Serial Number	04	“No. 04”
Date	1990s	“Produced in the 1990s”
Material	Platinum	“platinum gentleman's wristwatch”
Case Diameter	39 mm	“Diam. 39 mm”
Movement Caliber	14'''	“M. Cal. 14???”
Jewel Count	26	“26 jewels”

Visible details

Transparent, hand-engraved movement case back visible in the photograph.
Silver dial with pyramid-style indices and blue steel Breguet hands.
Presence of pushers for split-seconds and chronograph operation on the case side.
Hand-engraved movement components with visible tourbillon regulator.

Research qualifications

The exact month of production within the 1990s is not specified.
Condition ratings are provided by the auction house and represent an assessment at the time of cataloguing.

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

Consulted source

Franck Muller, Geneve, "Tourbillon - Split-Seconds - Perpetual - Equation of Time", No. 04, Ref. 1790 QPTR. Produced in the 1990s. Extremely fine and rare, astronomic, platinum gentleman's wristwatch with one-minute tourbillon regulator, co-axial round button split-seconds chronograph, perpetual calendar, moon phases, retrograde equation of time and a platinum Franck Muller buckle.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 8fbd05c73e

Terms in this record

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