Genthod, Switzerland
Franck Muller
Partially verifiedLuxury watches featuring complications and tonneau-shaped cases
History
The company was established in 1991 by watchmaker Francesco 'Franck' Muller and gem-setter Vartan Sirmakes.
The brand gained early popularity for its distinct tonneau-shaped timepieces and innovative complications, positioning itself within the luxury watch segment. Following internal strategic disagreements between the founders in 2003, Muller's influence decreased, though he maintained his partial ownership stake. The two founders ultimately reconciled their differences in 2010 and resumed their collaboration at the company.
The extended history summarises the open references listed under Sources; each statement was checked against the cited passage. Confirm key dates in period documents before relying on them.
Current watchmaking & later fate
- Today, the company operates under the name Franck Muller Watchland SA with headquarters and a main manufacture in Genthod.
- The company remains an independent manufacturer that encompasses various brands including Pierre Kunz and European Company Watch.
- As of 2016, the company employed approximately 680 people across its various manufacturing sites.
As stated in the references listed under Sources, retrieved 2026-11-03. Ownership and collections change; check the maker's own announcements for the latest position.
Key models
- Master Banker
- The Master Banker is a tonneau-shaped watch capable of indicating multiple time zones.
- Endurance
- The Endurance is a simple chronograph produced by the company.
Major innovations
- In 1984, the founder designed his first tourbillon wristwatch before the company was formally established.
- The company became known for annual 'World Premier' launches, starting in 1993 with a model featuring a split-seconds chronograph, minute repeater, and perpetual calendar.
Known markings
- The brand uses the slogan 'Master of Complications' to characterize its watchmaking identity.
Serial numbers
No serial-number system for this maker is recorded in the cited references.
Collecting significance
The catalogued pieces listed on this page show the kinds of objects auction houses, dealers and museums attribute to this maker; each attribution is the source's own.
In the object catalogue
17 catalogued objects are recorded under Franck Muller. Attributions are as given by each source and are not independent authentication.
- Franck Muller Casablanca 10th AnniversaryTonneau-shaped wristwatch · 2006
- Franck Muller Chronograph Ref. 7000 CCChronograph wristwatch · 1990s
- Franck Muller Cintrée Curvex Black Watch Ref. 2852 CASASelf-winding wristwatch · circa 2005
- Franck Muller Cintrée Curvex Chronometro Ref. 2852Self-winding chronometer wristwatch · 1990s
- Franck Muller Cintrée Curvex Heart Ref. 1750 S6 HJLadies' wristwatch · 2000s
- Franck Muller Cintree Curvex Magnum Chronograph Master CalendarChronograph wristwatch · circa 2000
- Franck Muller Cintrée Curvex Master Banker Ref. 5850 MBMaster Banker wristwatch · circa 2000
- Franck Muller Cintrée Curvex Perpetual Calendar Reference 6850 QPEPerpetual calendar chronograph · 2001
- Franck Muller Conquistador King, Ref. 8005 CCChronograph wristwatch · 1990s
- Franck Muller Endurance 24 Split Second ChronographSplit second chronograph · Circa 1997
- Franck Muller Imperial Tourbillon Répétition Minutes Ref. 5850 RM TMinute-repeating tourbillon wristwatch · circa 2000-2010
- Franck Muller Master Banker Havana Ref. 5850 MB HVSelf-winding wristwatch with three time zones · late 1990's
Show 5 more
- Franck Muller Master Calendar Reference 2852 MCTriple calendar wristwatch · circa 2000
- Franck Muller Pre-Brand Minute Repeating Perpetual Calendar WristwatchMinute repeating perpetual calendar wristwatch · Circa 1992
- Franck Muller Ref. 1790QTJ Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon RattrapantePerpetual calendar split-seconds chronograph tourbillon wristwatch · circa 2002
- Franck Muller Ref. 7880 T HS Tourbillon SautantesTourbillon jumping hour wristwatch · circa 2008
- Franck Muller Tourbillon Split-Seconds Perpetual Calendar Equation of Time Ref. 1790 QPTRTourbillon chronograph with perpetual calendar · 1990s
Diagram
Sources & references
- Franck Muller, Wikipedia (English), retrieved 2026-11-03 (text CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Franck Muller, Wikipedia (German), retrieved 2026-11-03 (text CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Franck Muller, Wikipedia (French), retrieved 2026-11-03 (text CC BY-SA 4.0)
Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.