What happened to Franck Muller?

[avilhena]

Hi guys,

I want to hear you about why Franck Muller is not so popular anymore among the WIS crowd and watch enthusiast folks in general. It seems to me that it was THE watch to have in the 90's, but it is not so hot anymore.

I know they use ETA base movements in a great deal of its line and that they made innumerable Limited Editions, but so did other brands and they succeeded (think Hublot and others).

On the other side, their design seems appealing to me and also cushion shaped cases are hotter than ever, thanks to Richard Mille. Maybe this come as a downside to FM, as many people look to it as a cheaper RM?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this matter.

Thanks

[rootbeer7]

I’d be interested to hear. I had 2 of them. I’ll dig out some pictures

[TonyD]

I don't know but I see what you mean. I have always liked many of their designs. As an engineer I really love the Crazy Hours although I was disappointed to figure out that the hours are not random, it just jumps 5 or 7 hours every time.

Part of the issue is that they can be found online at HUGE discounts.

I also was told somewhere years ago that they use their own movements or the modifications are such that they are very difficult and $$ to work on.

Lastly, while I love many of their watches I find that most of them are really ugly or boring.

[rootbeer7]

Here’s the last one I had. I also had a black non-chrono.

[skkali168]

Someone told me designer or watchmaker who started frank Muller is from Patek. Not sure if it's true


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[Le Chef]

Frank Muller was and still is “The Master of Complications” designing and building them for clients like Patek and others. For some manufacturers it’s more practical to outsource short runs of super complicated watches. Frank Muller then set up his own watch company and added his only complications to ETA ebauches. He fell from grace when it was discovered he was fitting low grade Chinese movements to his watches. Deception and greed.

My understanding is that he is back doing what he does best for clients: being “The Master of Complications”.

[Lordofrolex]

Very bad resale value. Almost as bad as hublot. Not everyone likes the case shape. I personally think there market department isn't doing a very good job. Celebrates and influencers aren't wearing the watch. The WIS community is too small to sustain a brand that doesn't have a following other than the WIS community.

[avilhena]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

Here’s the last one I had. I also had a black non-chrono.

I find these casablanca chronos appealing.

Originally Posted by Le Chef

Frank Muller was and still is “The Master of Complications” designing and building them for clients like Patek and others. For some manufacturers it’s more practical to outsource short runs of super complicated watches. Frank Muller then set up his own watch company and added his only complications to ETA ebauches. He fell from grace when it was discovered he was fitting low grade Chinese movements to his watches. Deception and greed.

My understanding is that he is back doing what he does best for clients: being “The Master of Complications”.

Wow, I did not know that. That's something very nasty! I wonder why i could not find anything related to that in my web searchs... Thanks for the info

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by avilhena

Wow, I did not know that. That's something very nasty! I wonder why i could not find anything related to that in my web searchs... Thanks for the info

+1.

[Cryten]

Originally Posted by Le Chef

Frank Muller was and still is “The Master of Complications” designing and building them for clients like Patek and others. For some manufacturers it’s more practical to outsource short runs of super complicated watches. Frank Muller then set up his own watch company and added his only complications to ETA ebauches. He fell from grace when it was discovered he was fitting low grade Chinese movements to his watches. Deception and greed.

My understanding is that he is back doing what he does best for clients: being “The Master of Complications”.

They were Russian movements and it was quite the scandal, not only due to the deception but because he labelled the watches "Swiss Made" and was legally entitled to.

Tag Heuer did a similar thing with Seiko movements. It's hard to attract (or keep) customers when you lie to them.

[avilhena]

Originally Posted by Lordofrolex

Very bad resale value. Almost as bad as hublot. Not everyone likes the case shape. I personally think there market department isn't doing a very good job. Celebrates and influencers aren't wearing the watch. The WIS community is too small to sustain a brand that doesn't have a following other than the WIS community.

But thats my point! Despite having bad resale value, Hublot does sell a lot.

I think you are right when you say not everyone likes the case shapes, it certainly doesn't with the sales. Nonetheless, look at Richard Mille, who uses a very similar case shape and is one of, if not the most, hottest watch brand.

I guess the russian movements scandal hit too strong their reputation. However, i think that non-WIS costumers doesn't care too much about the movement...

[Headshrinker]

Franck Muller, himself, has not been involved in the company since the 90s; I believe I have read. I bought one of his watches after visiting his factory in about 1990. Muller had a severe cocaine habit and lost just about everything, including his reputation.

[Marciano490]

Originally Posted by Headshrinker

Franck Muller, himself, has not been involved in the company since the 90s; I believe I have read. I bought one of his watches after visiting his factory in about 1990. Muller had a severe cocaine habit and lost just about everything, including his reputation.

No wonder his watches always ran fast.

[aproc711]

yea...

[wach16]

Originally Posted by marciano490

no wonder his watches always ran fast.

hahah

[nick c]

I almost bought one, thanks God I didn’t I got Roger Dubuis instead.

[LOVE MY ROLEX(S)]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

Here’s the last one I had. I also had a black non-chrono.

Beautiful watch.

[LOVE MY ROLEX(S)]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

I’d be interested to hear. I had 2 of them. I’ll dig out some pictures

Would someone please suggest a watchmaker that specializes in Frank Mueller?

[glamorama]

Crazy hours with color dream colour is cool but wouldn't wear it often

[JR16]

Personally, his watches don’t appeal to me at all- case shape, dials, design etc. I suspect this is true for the majority of those who purchase “luxury” watches


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[Justindo]

I really like the look of Franck Muller watches due to their tonneau cases, textured dials, and nice numerals but they've always struck me as being overpriced considering their use of ETA (or Russian, haha) movements. Regardless, they definitely have lost popularity in the last decade or so but brands and styles come and go.

[Chi-man]

Like the case, dial and easy to read. I have many brands and always like FM

[kneedeep]

I was looking at them and glad I passed after reading this thread.

[DanielEscalante]

Hi everybody, I'm new in this forum I'm getting interested in buying this Franck Muller watch, preowned, the model is 2801 S6 GM, the price is around $4100 USD, honestly, I liked the design, but I have some doubts about making a good purchase or not. What do you think?

P.S. I'm sorry, I tried to post a picture but I couldnt because I need to post at least 10 times to get the website permission.

[korneevy]

Originally Posted by DanielEscalante

... I have some doubts about making a good purchase or not. What do you think?

P.S. I'm sorry, I tried to post a picture but I couldnt because I need to post at least 10 times to get the website permission.

If after reading this thread (and many others just like that here and elsewhere) you still need to ask a question, then you probably don't want to know the answer.


It is also next to impossible to know which exact model you are referring to...may be post an exact reference number or at least a link to a site where it is listed.

[schumi7]

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[schumi7]

Beautiful and prettier than RM

FM looks the way RM would look
If RM looked good

RM Looks industrial and like a toy


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[schumi7]

Plus ppl
Only like skeleton RM. and the FM is more skeletonized

Plus yes his downfall was due to eta movements and he ignored US market and cause he focused on Asia and japan heavily. The guy has tea sets and throws FM theme wedding parties. He must focus and he started focusing again finally


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[schumi7]

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[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by schumi7

Beautiful and prettier than RM

FM looks the way RM would look
If RM looked good

RM Looks industrial and like a toy


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IDK about that. I vastly prefer the RM. You could say the FM looks nicer than Hublot's spirit of big bang. Both are less nice than RM IMO