282. FRANCK MULLER CASABLANCA : Master of Complications

Our first encounter with a Franck Muller was some time back in 2009 while doing window shopping in KL. A brand new Franck Muller Crazy Hour that was on the window display attracted our attention. That watch was simply magnificent, amazing and dazzling.

A quick glance on the price tag of whooping six digit RM though made us hesitant to push the entrance door. With a smile we just walked away for another day and another encounter.

The opportunity to have a second look at a Franck Muller Crazy Hour came sooner that expected. A month later we had a chance to look at a pre-owned Crazy Hour.

This time around we were quite ready and the five figure RM price tag was quite fair. It was a nice and cool watch. Still we gave a miss as we decided for a different watch that day.

Nevertheless the name of Franck Muller stuck and struck well in our mind as master designer of real exquisite and excellent timepieces.

Last week another Franck Muller reappeared on our radar screen. This time it was a Franck Muller Casablanca with an original brown leather strap complete with a beautiful box, manual and a warranty as displayed in this article.

The salmon pink clean dial with Arabic markers portrays simplicity in elegance. It is very light and very comfortable around the wrist, functions very well and still in immaculate condition.

A Frank Muller is always unique, slick and stylist. The first look itself drew our attention like a magnet.

Considering the impeccable condition it is in, this particular unit of original Casablanca is being offered in the market at an exceptionally reasonable price. It is simply stunning and very tempting...indeed.

Oh yes, it is a limited edition with the number clearly displayed on the case back as no.255.

Just a little bit on the history of Franck Muller for the benefit of quick reading. Franck Muller was born on 11th July 1958 to an Italian German parents in Switzerland. At 15, he joined the famous Geneva School of Watchmaking (French: Ecole d’ Horlogeriede Geneve).

Upon graduation in the early 1980s he began repairing top quality pocket watches. He became close to an independent watch maker, Sven Andersen and was tasked with the handling of Patek Philippe collections. While working on complicated timepieces, he became passionate with their mechanism and started to think about building his own workshop.

In 1984, Franck Muller designed his own Tourbillon wristwatch. Back then, few watchmakers were capable of creating such complicated timepieces apart from Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin. The list of private clients of Franck Muller continued to swell for new timepieces and his business prospered.

The house of Franck Muller opened in 1991 and his ultra complicated timepieces were instant hits in Europe and America. The phenomenal success of Franck Muller is legendary.

For those who are keen to know more on Franck Muller success story and his creations, information is available at www. Franckmullerusa.com.

[SOLD] EPOS Ref.3400-GMT-LIMITED EDITION

Released in 2009 and produced in a limited number of 999 pieces, this is a special edition of three models under the same reference. This particular model under EPOS ref.3400 comes with black dial, stainless steel case and black leather strap of 22 mm. It is a sheer stunning beauty and elegance craftsmanship retails at an Ipoh watch gallery, Malaysia at RM6208/USD1825 only.

Fitted with two independent mechanical self-winding movements, this timepiece displays the time in two different time zones and two dates indications as per the relevant time zone.

The oval stainless steel case with sapphire crystal is complemented with a screwed see-through case back. The Epos logo is distinctly displayed on the crowns.

The brand new unit available at the Ipoh watch gallery is unit no.777/999.

To EPOS lovers, hurry up and grab this piece with such a beautiful number before someone else makes the snatch.

Case dimensions: 40x47mm Thickness: 11.1mm

LUMINOX EVO SR-71 BLACK JET LIMITED EDITION

Luminox has focused itself on creating sporty timepieces inspired by different activities ranging from diving to piloting. Every model released to date has enjoyed immense success.

The latest limited edition model presented by Luminox at Baselworld event is the EVO SR-71 Blackbird inspired by the success of the jet that served the American Air Force 1 back in the 1990.The watch maintains the black design of the jet and it used materials based on PVD treated stainless steel.

The EVO SR-71 Blackbird is crafted from an over-sized 44 mm in diameter case and is equipped with Swiss mechanical movement with a chronograph function.

Produced in a limited number of only 500 pieces only, the one new unit available at an Ipoh Luminox authorised dealer is unit no.490/500 retail at RM 9750.00.

The dial is extremely legible and is fitted with three sub-dials, a date window at 3.00 o’clock and Luminox logo at 2.00 o’clock position.

The most amazing feature is the luminosity of its dial that can last for 25 years due to the advance technology employed. The case is covered in sapphire crystal and is equipped with a shock resistance system, guaranteeing the best reliability in case of fall or slip.

With its appealing sporty all black design, Luminox EVO SR-71 is definitely another plus feature for limited editions collectors.

Retailed Price : RM 9750.00

EPOS Ref. 3396 Limited Edition for Malaysia, 2009 (SOLD)

Recently, Epos of Switzerland made a special release of hand-crafted automatic Sportive and Diver edition model 3396 LE produced in limited number of 222 pieces only.

Unlike other brands limited editions which normally allocate each unit of timepiece release with an assigned number, all the 222 pieces of this limited edition seem to carry the same number of 222.

The black dial is fitted with luminosity that illuminates blue light in the dark.

The certificate of limited edition indicates clearly the specifications of this Epos edition.

Case Dimensions: thickness 11.2 mm, diameter 44 mm

Readily available at Epos authorised watch outlets, it is retailed new at a reasonable price of RM2380 a piece.

ROLEX OYSTER PERPETUAL DATE SUBMARINER (SOLD)

Though much has been said and written by fellow bloggers about this Rolex model, we are tempted to add something on this gorgeous timepiece which was made available to us a few days back.The pre-owned unit with April 2005 as the date of first purchase recorded on the original certificate comes with the original box and in perfect condition like brand new. Obviously, the owner hardly worn and kept it safely and nicely in the box.

We prompted our friend, a KL watch dealer, to do a quick valuation and he came up with an irresistible value . According to him, currently the brand new unit of this particular sought-after model is not even available in prestigious watch boutiques in KL. That's interesting...

In the meantime, we are still contemplating...

PRE-OWNED ORIGINAL ROLEX PERPETUAL COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA 116523 (SOLD)

This Rolex Daytona belongs to a friend. The date of purchase of this timepiece as stated on the certificate is 22 August 2008 indicating that the international warranty is still valid until 21 August 2010.

Besides the original certificate and the international warranty, the original inner box is also available.

The watch condition is flawless and can easily pass as brand new with the plastic wrapping still intact.

Since this is a post- 2000 release, the watch uses the Rolex movement.

For Rolex lovers, this opportunity to own a rare and prestigious Rolex watch in mint condition should never be missed.

Retail price: RM35,000.00 (Ringgit: Thirty Five thousand only)

THE VULCANOVA BUTTERFLY LOVERS LIMITED (SOLD) EDITION

We were very impressed by the look and presentation of this watch. Since we have never posted any lady watch before in this blog, we thought it would be appropriate to make the first entry of such a watch for the benefit of lady readers.

The subject watch is the authentic limited edition of Vulcanova collections ‘The Butterfly Lovers’ launched by Vulcain in commemoration of its 150th anniversary. Immaculately crafted in mother of pearl on the dial, two simmering butterflies relate to one of the most famous Chinese love stories, known as the ‘Butterfly Lovers’.

Vulcain immortalised the story similar to the Romeo and Juliet by launching the limited edition of the Vulcanova in 2007 dedicated to sensitive women with poetic souls and exquisite taste.

The curved shape of its 36mm x 28.95mm polished steel case delicately molds the wrist and accentuates the refinement of the dial. Beneath the dainty pair of wings beats a subtle watch mechanism driven by the mechanical self-winding V-53 movement that drives the hour, minute and second functions, and has a 40 hour power reserve.

The limited edition of 150 units signifying 150 years of Vulcain existence is available in three different versions. This impeccable timepiece comes with a red wooden lacquered musical box, a certificate and a two year-international warranty.

The brand new unit under certificate no. 081/150 readily available at an Ipoh watch gallery is retailed at RM11,950.00 (Ringgit: Eleven thousand nine hundred and fifty only).

This elegant and petite timepiece projects a mesmerising beau and most ideal as an awesome wedding anniversary or birthday present or parting gift.