Comments:
Talk me out of a Franck Muller Long Island Master Banker
One of my first automatic watches was an FM Casablanca, acquired some years ago. Since then, I've acquired and retired a number of more serious watches, including Patek, AP, Speake-Marin, VC, JLC and the like. I've been thinking about a dual time and considered several options. I like the Patek Travel Time, and the JLC HomeTime is nice as well. The Jaquet Droz Les Deux Fuseaux is unique and appealing. But I recently tried on a white gold Long Island Master Banker and really loved it. Despite all the retro Art Deco watches that we've seen in recent years, FM does it better. And yet I am haunted just a bit by what I think is a kind of snobbish attitude about Muller that I've acquired. Look for a serious Franck Muller Forum and you find...nothing. Why is this? Is it a matter of horology? Are the FMs really inferior to other brands at similar price points? I'm really leaning toward the Master Banker, but invite comments and suggestions, pro and con, to help me sort this out.
Thanks,
Pete
Thanks,
Pete
Some thoughts on Franck Muller from my Geneva 2007 report
This is what I wrote in conclusion for my report on the new Franck Muller watches for 2007.
"Franck Muller offers an immense variety of watches, a good deal of which are not to my taste. But many of the watches, especially those in the Cintrée Curvex case, are beautifully designed with excellent dial quality. Although most movements are typically based on run-of-the-mill ETA, Piguet or Lemania calibres (but some complications are from Renaud et Papi), Franck Muller does offers some clever but admittedly pointless complications like the Secret Hours or the Las Vegas roulette watch. They look good on the wrist and are a refreshing departure from the serious and staid world of high horology. "
In short, the strengths of Franck Muller are excellent dial and case work, beautifully designed watches that sit very well on the wrist, and some clever complications.
The shortcomings are its heavy reliance on ETA movements that are not as well finished as they should be for watches this expensive. BUT one should not buy a Franck Muller for its finely finished ebauche, instead for its strengths, the look and the complication.
As for why FM is given less respect on the forums, it is due to two things - the flamboyant design and its use of ETA movements. People do not take it seriously because of that. Unfortunately that means people do not notice its more serious work, like the various supercomplications it makes, for example the Aeternitas 1000-year perpetual calendar.
If you really love the Long Island MB, I would encourage you to go for it. Liking the watch you buy is the most important thing. You can find dual/triple timezone watches with better pedigree or more refined movements, but the FM MB is definitely one of the best looking.
- SJX This message has been edited by SJX on 2007-06-12 20:35:45
"Franck Muller offers an immense variety of watches, a good deal of which are not to my taste. But many of the watches, especially those in the Cintrée Curvex case, are beautifully designed with excellent dial quality. Although most movements are typically based on run-of-the-mill ETA, Piguet or Lemania calibres (but some complications are from Renaud et Papi), Franck Muller does offers some clever but admittedly pointless complications like the Secret Hours or the Las Vegas roulette watch. They look good on the wrist and are a refreshing departure from the serious and staid world of high horology. "
In short, the strengths of Franck Muller are excellent dial and case work, beautifully designed watches that sit very well on the wrist, and some clever complications.
The shortcomings are its heavy reliance on ETA movements that are not as well finished as they should be for watches this expensive. BUT one should not buy a Franck Muller for its finely finished ebauche, instead for its strengths, the look and the complication.
As for why FM is given less respect on the forums, it is due to two things - the flamboyant design and its use of ETA movements. People do not take it seriously because of that. Unfortunately that means people do not notice its more serious work, like the various supercomplications it makes, for example the Aeternitas 1000-year perpetual calendar.
If you really love the Long Island MB, I would encourage you to go for it. Liking the watch you buy is the most important thing. You can find dual/triple timezone watches with better pedigree or more refined movements, but the FM MB is definitely one of the best looking.
- SJX This message has been edited by SJX on 2007-06-12 20:35:45
thanks for the helpful perspective
Interestingly, the sales guy at Nieman Marcus made a big point of say all FM movements are made in house!
Maybe FM bought a 1% stake in ETA
and now feels, following the lead of some other manufacturers, that it has a reason to claim its movements are in-house...
Ideal travel watch
I have this little Masterbanker since 1999 and it's still up and running.
In fact I have less problems with my ETA based movements than with my other higher grade movements.
Geo
In fact I have less problems with my ETA based movements than with my other higher grade movements.
Geo
Franck Muller fan
My first Franck Muller was briefly a 5950 master banker casablanca,a lovely watch but too small for my big frame traded for long island dsr(double retrograde seconds) within 7 days.The Long island was so much admired by all my friends and kept spot on time.I arranged a guided tour of genthod which was fantastic.
i now have a 7950 casa. chrono again admired again very accurate.
why be talked out of Franck Muller go for it Peter .
i now have a 7950 casa. chrono again admired again very accurate.
why be talked out of Franck Muller go for it Peter .