CENTRE OF ATTRACTION

FRANCK MULLER'S record-setting Grand Central Tourbillon is now offered in an extremely wearable smaller case size

DUBBED THE MASTER OF TOURBILLONS, FRANCK MULLER has set new standards and records from the fastest to the most compact and even the largest on a wristwatch for the fascinating mechanical complication. Launched last October, the Grand Central Tourbillon places the focus on the tourbillon by setting it in the middle of a guilloché dial within a redesigned Cintrée Curvex case, making it the world's first tourbillon placed in the centre of a tonneau-shaped case.

As the tourbillon is moved from the conventional position at 6 o'clock to the middle of the dial, the hour and minute hands of the 40.15 mm by 58.7 mm watch extend from the rotating central cage on openwork discs that are also suspended. Not only is this innovative display of time ingenious, but it also draws attention to the complexity of the movement composed of a cleverly stacked mechanism.