With redefined lines and a marriage between the world of craftsmanship and the automobile, Franck Muller has developed this unique timepiece filled with passion. Inspired by motor racing, the new USA limited edition Vanguard™ Racing Skeleton Bill Auberlen uses an elegant skeletonised movement turned reminiscent of an engine that you can admire through the open back.
The carbon of the case is a very light and high-performance material. The rubber on the inside of the strap effortlessly conforms to the shape of the wrist, combining comfort and aesthetics, while the Alcantara-like suede is reminiscent of a sports car interior. The strap is subtly integrated into the case with two invisible screws, instead of the usual spring bar technique. The central seconds counter, thanks to a smoked sapphire crystal, ensures a precise display while allowing great visibility of the movement.
A true ambassador of motorsport, Bill Auberlen shares the same values of performance and perfection as Franck Muller. To date, he has won 63 races and is officially the most successful sports car driver in North American history.
For this US limited Edition, the seconds indications start from the bottom and not from the top as on a car counter, allowing the seconds to be read at both ends of the hand. To further accentuate the skeletonised design, the date numerals have also been fully skeletonised.
Designed for competition, remarkably elegant and deliberately sporty, the Vanguard™ Racing Skeleton Bill Auberlen line is available in 18-carat rose gold, carbon and Macro molecular Technologie Bleu. This last material is made from high purity metals and exotic elements that have been deconstructed to the macromolecular level.
Macro Molecular Technology
The macromolecular technology is part of the new breed of new-age designer materials that make everything from the Stealth Bomber to the International Space Station possible.
Made with high purity metals and other exotic elements, the materials have been deconstructed to the macro-molecular level, homogeneously combined and then reconstructed with highly refined proprietary chemical binders.
Metal deconstruction requires very specialized equipment Gas Metal Atomizer that superheats the metal and then shoots it with water, gas or plasma causing it to explode into molecules of specific shape and size. Heat, pressure and an exothermic reaction cause the molecules to cross-link forming a new material with a unique macro-molecular structure.
Because the molecules are distributed homogeneously through a process known as the Micelle Phenomenon, the new material gains the benefit of all the unique characteristics of the individual components. Although the proprietary composite manufacturing process uses highly sophisticated equipment and scientific processes, composite can only be produced by hand.
This so-called M3 process results in an electrically non-conductive material that is no longer a solid metal.
Franck Muller Geneve uses this composite in order to cut, carve, grind and sand smoothly and then polish to a hard, durable, gem-quality finish. The material is very stable and will hold the finest detail including threads. The colours and patterns run completely through the material and the finished product is beautiful, lightweight, very strong, and comfortable to wear and touch and will last for many generations.
Franck Muller Vanguard™ Racing Skeleton Bill Auberlen Limited Edition Technical Specifications
Reference V 45 SC DT SQT RCG BILL AUBERLEN (NR)
Case
- Vanguard case
- 18k rose gold
- Black inserts on both sides of the case
- Width: 44 mm x Length: 53.7 mm x Thickness: 12.7 mm
- Sapphire crystal
- Water-resistant up to 30 meters
Functions
- Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Date
Instructions
- Winding shaft with 3 positions: 1.Winding. 2.Date setting 3.Time setting
Movement
- MVT FM 2800-SQ01
- Self-winding movement with bidirectional rotor system
- Power reserve of 42 hours
- 165 components
- 21 jewels
- Diameter: Ø 26.20 mm.
- Thickness: 3.75 mm
- Balance wheel frequency set at 28,800 alternations per hour
Movement Decoration
- Côtes de Genève and brushing “soleil papier” on the bridges and the rotor
- Circular graining on the two sides of the main plate
- Chamfering of the bridges 24k gold bath and rhodium plating of the components 24k gold finish on the written engravings
- Circular brushing of the rotor ball bearing
- Brushing “soleil papier” on the barrel
- Polishing at 45° and brushing”soleil”of the ratchet
- Polished and blued screws
Bracelet
- Black leather and rubber strap
Buckle
- 18k rose gold buckle
Reference V 45 SC DT SQT RCG BILL AUBERLEN CARBONE NR (AC)
Case
- Vanguard case
- Carbone
- Stainless steel inserts on boths sides of the case
- Width: 44 mm x Length: 53.7 mm x Thickness: 12.7 mm
- Sapphire crystal
- Water-resistant up to 30 meters
Functions
- Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Date
Instructions
- Winding shaft with 3 positions: 1.Winding. 2.Date setting 3.Time setting
Movement
- MVT FM 2800-SQ01
- Self-winding movement with bidirectional rotor system
- Power reserve of 42 hours
- 165 components
- 21 jewels
- Diameter: Ø 26.20 mm.
- Thickness: 3.75 mm
- Balance wheel frequency set at 28,800 alternations per hour
Movement Decoration
- Côtes de Genève and brushing “soleil papier” on the bridges and the rotor
- Circular graining on the two sides of the main plate
- Chamfering of the bridges 24k gold bath and rhodium plating of the components 24k gold finish on the written engravings
- Circular brushing of the rotor ball bearing
- Brushing “soleil papier” on the barrel
- Polishing at 45° and brushing”soleil”of the ratchet
- Polished and blued screws
Bracelet
- Black leather and rubber strap
Buckle
- Hand brushed stainless folding buckle with black PVD coating
Reference V 45 SC DT SQT RCG BILL AUBERLEN MTBL (AC)
Case
- Vanguard case
- Grade-2 titanium blent with blue hybrid resin at the molecular level
- Stainless steel inserts on boths sides of the case
- Width: 44 mm x Length: 53.7 mm x Thickness: 12.7 mm
- Sapphire crystal
- Water-resistant up to 30 meters
Functions
- Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Date
Instructions
- Winding shaft with 3 positions: 1.Winding. 2.Date setting 3.Time setting
Movement
- MVT FM 2800-SQ01
- Self-winding movement with bidirectional rotor system
- Power reserve of 42 hours
- 165 components
- 21 jewels
- Diameter: Ø 26.20 mm.
- Thickness: 3.75 mm
- Balance wheel frequency set at 28,800 alternations per hour
Movement Decoration
- Côtes de Genève and brushing “soleil papier” on the bridges and the rotor
- Circular graining on the two sides of the main plate
- Chamfering of the bridges 24k gold bath and rhodium plating of the components 24k gold finish on the written engravings
- Circular brushing of the rotor ball bearing
- Brushing “soleil papier” on the barrel
- Polishing at 45° and brushing”soleil”of the ratchet
- Polished and blued screws
Bracelet
- Blue leather and rubber strap
Buckle
- Hand brushed stainless folding buckle with a blue PVD Franck Muller emblem
