The new Franck Muller Grand Central Tourbillon Curvex CX 36 is a more wearable size for an attention-grabbing complication
Franck Muller’s new Grand Central Tourbillon Curvex CX 36 is a smaller, more wearable expression of the watch that was first released last year. It measures 36.5mm wide and 52.65mm long, making it better suited to the small-wristed. But make no mistake—even reduced, it is a hefty wrist presence indeed, especially because of its dramatic curvature and domed sapphire crystal—not to mention the namesake complication that is one of the rare central tourbillons in a tonneau-shaped movement. Thanks to a stacking mechanism, the tourbillon is elevated above the dial, making it particularly easy to appreciate as it rotates once per minute. The bridge doubles as a running seconds indicator.
While the complication attracts the most attention—aided by the rather downplayed hour and minute indicators—the rest of the watch is a match in terms of aesthetic impact. The numerals are of the quirky, bold typeface that is a Franck Muller signature, while the guilloche dial features a dynamic, spiral take on the Clous de Paris hobnail pattern; the latter is enhanced by 20 layers of lacquer that grant it exceptional visual depth. The updated Cintrée Curvex case boasts of a better, edge-to-edge coverage of sapphire crystal, with a particularly reduced top and bottom bezel that makes it feel more streamlined, precise, and modern.
The 18,000vph FM CX-36T-CTR movement within and is self-winding—an uncommon achievement amongst tourbillon movements—and sports a sunray-brushed gold micro-rotor that provides up to four days of power reserve.
The Grand Central Tourbillon Curvex CX 36 is available in eight references, three of which are diamond-set models. Options include a classic combination of rose gold case and dark grey dial, or something sportier with white gold case and blue dial, as well as an execution in black carbon. The diamond-set options have 388 brilliant-cut diamonds on the case (totalling 5.32 carats) with a further 219 on the dial (totalling 1.28 carats) on the full pavé piece.
