With the opening of its new boutique at IFC Mall in Hong Kong earlier this month, Franck Muller has unveiled a one-of-a-kind creation that, even by the brand’s extravagant standards, stands apart: the Vanguard Revolution 3 Skeleton Ruby. A fully skeletonised, triple-axis tourbillon housed in a case invisibly set with 28.4 carats of baguette-cut rubies, it represents haute horlogerie at its most theatrical.
The centrepiece of the timepiece is the world’s first skeletonised triple-axis tourbillon, a mechanism designed to counter the gravitational inconsistencies affecting wristwatches in constant motion. Franck Muller’s solution is as spectacular as it is complex, with three concentric carriages rotating at one minute, eight minutes, and one hour, respectively. Visible through sculpted sapphire domes front and back, the tourbillon delivers a mesmerising, multi-layered display of mechanical choreography.
Power comes from the in-house, manually wound MVT FM 2030-SMR-VS, a 461-component calibre that delivers a remarkable 10-day power reserve via twin barrels. The movement is extensively decorated, with mirror-polished bridges, sunray-brushed bearing cages, and diamond-polished sinks, elevating its technical architecture to something almost sculptural. Retrograde indicators at three and nine o’clock track the rotation of the tourbillon cages, further emphasising the watch’s kinetic character.
The exterior is equally dramatic. The 18k white-gold Vanguard case is entirely set with rubies using the invisible-setting technique, creating an uninterrupted surface of colour and brilliance. Black side inserts, an alligator strap and a buckle set with brilliant-cut diamonds complete the package, confirming the Vanguard Revolution 3 Skeleton Ruby as one of Franck Muller’s modern masterpieces.
This watch, along with other Franck Muller creations, can be discovered at the brand’s newly opened IFC Mall boutique. Spanning 1,504 square feet, the space combines warm neutral tones with cool bronze accents for an understated yet contemporary expression of luxury, featuring a gallery-like layout and a bar area that offers a relaxed but refined retail environment.
