The Franck Muller Long Island Gets a Bold Refresh
Together with a reworked case, the Long Island Evolution comes with new technical expressions in the form of a Master Jumper, Giga Tourbillon and 7 Days Power Reserve.
The Long Island is getting a new look; one might even call it an evolution. On the scale of the universe, this is a non-event. For the wrist, it’s a revolution, particularly when timepieces are trending safe, discreet and retro. Franck Muller comes in swinging with wild and inventive abandon, building on the original Art Deco rectangular form with a new Novecento vision — a style that is monumental, dynamic and grandiose.
Compared to the Long Island design first conceived by co-founder Vartan Sirmakes in 2000, the new case is resolutely robust, incorporating an additional inner case within its arched rectilinear profile to secure the shaped movements driving the watch. Case inside case, with the aluminium inner anodised in pine green and the titanium outer in black PVD. Each movement completely fills the curved space within, while the layered construction protects it from shocks. The result is a broad and strapping edifice on the wrist, one that fits surprisingly well thanks to shorter lugs and a gently curved profile.
Together with its reworked case, the Long Island Evolution comes with new technical expressions of time. Enter the Master Jumper, a striking triple jumping digital display for the hours, minutes and date, all lined up vertically. While triple jumping complications are not new in high watchmaking, they only relate to calendar functions; the Master Jumper is the first to do so with date and time. Power is the greatest challenge here, but the watch overcomes this with an innovative double barrel system: the first is assigned to the hours and minutes discs, and the second drives the date and movement. All of this technical prowess is printed on the see-through sapphire crystal dial like a user manual, with the jumping discs visible underneath.
The Long Island Evolution Giga Tourbillon is even more electric. This model features the world’s biggest tourbillon at an imposing 20mm, occupying over half the watch’s expanse. Four barrels animate the sizeable vortex, while also providing a generous four-day power reserve. Prefer something more low-key (for this series anyway)? The Long Island Evolution 7 Days Power Reserve keeps it simple with time-only and a skeletonised design. Twin barrels stacked at the top generate power for a week, while the prodigious hour numerals are painted with luminous material to maximise the view of time.
The trio pay homage to the original Long Island with a radical remake, for such is the spirit of Franck Muller. Always audacious and never a discreet dear. Available exclusively in Asia Pacific, with just 300 pieces for the 7 Days Power Reserve, 100 pieces for the Master Jumper, and 8 pieces for the Giga Tourbillon. Discover the collection online.
