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FrankMuller, being a true “Master of Complications”, has made a dream come true –a wristwatch packed with the record number of complications!
The timepiece, built from 1,483 components, boasts
36 complications and 25 of them are visible. The 1000-year calendar watch undoubtedly deserves a
record price of 2.7 million dollars!
The Master Watchmakers of Genthod faced a remarkable challenge – to create a wristwatch to feature all presently-known horological complications. They used the Aeternitas movement as a base, and the Mega 4 with its grand and small Westminster chime striking-work, the only one available with a tourbillon displayed on the dial.
The watchmakers added a minute repeater, a mono-pushpiece split-seconds chronograph, a perpetual calendar secular, and an equation of time varying just by 6.8 seconds per lunar month, implying one day every thousand years!
The
Franck Muller Aeternitas Mega 4, the most complex wristwatch ever created, is an elegantly designed timepiece in the highly-respected traditions of the old
cadraturiers (the mechanisms positioned under the dial) of the Vallee de Joux, Switzerland.
Initially, the Master Watchmakers incorporated the Mega into the Aeternitas project. The basis was represented by an automatic Tourbillon, with two motors. They hollowed out the plate on the dial side to hold the striking mechanism.
If compared to the Aeternitas versions, the
four Aeternitas Mega versions are 0.2mm thick to accommodate the striking mechanism of the “Chime of Westminster”. The Mega is highly appreciated due to its “Grande Sonnerie” Chime of Westminster striking mechanism that sounds on the hours and quarter hours. The “Petite Sonnerie” version does not strike on the hour, meaning it only sounds on the quarter hours.
The
large and small striking mechanisms are programmed via simply pressing a waterproof push-button found at 10.30 on the case. The push-button programmable function allows to stop the movement of the striking mechanism. The minute repeater allows to activate the “Chime of Westminster” any time it is required, providing the full strike of the hours, the Westminster quarters and the minutes.
The
“Grand Sonnerie” is the only timepiece, with the Tourbillon seen on the dial side, implying the limited space for the “Grand Sonnerie” mechanism and thus the highly complicated design.
The nicely chiselled and decorated pieces of the mechanism may be admired via a sapphire crystal case back.
The
Franck Muller Aeternitas Mega 4, a true masterpiece of complications and know-how, has been elaborated and manufactured by the Franck Muller group, demonstrating their outstanding skills and ability in the Art of Watchmaking.
The first piece of the exceptional Franck Muller watch was delivered to an American collector at a special ceremony held in Monaco last November; the second Aeternitas Mega 4 is expected to be available in the nearest future.
As Watches.InfoNIAC.com found out, the Master of Complications has scheduled
two WPHH – World Presentation of Haute Horlogerie – exhibitions to be organized at its Watchland site in Genthod on 17-23 January and 17-27 March. The visitors (about 5,000 visitors and 600 journalists) will be expected from 9.00 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Franck Muller group will provide a comprehensive view of its seven brands: Franck Muller, Pierre Kunz, ECW, Rodolphe Montres & Bijoux, Barthelay, Backes & Strauss and Martin Braun.
The new Franck Muller collections will be presented in specially built pavilions to feature nicely arranged stands, elegant design and contemporary decor.
