IT WAS THE LATE 1990S and early 2000s when Franck Muller was at the its apex of cultural and social zeitgeist. Everyone who was anyone had a Franck Muller and so, for a then young undergraduate, the brand telegraphed luxury. More importantly, it competently straddled the line between pomposity and subtlety. Franck Muller had some outrageously avant-garde designs that screamed for attention and also more understated pieces that kept quiet until a jacket sleeve was pulled back to reveal an unusual tonneau or cushion-shaped watch. While it is not the pioneer or inventor of the tonneau, Franck Muller did catapult this once archival case form into modern watchmaking lexicon. I dare say brands like Richard Mille owe Franck Muller a debt of gratitude for forging a path through an arena that had been dominated by round watches.
In fact, one sign of consumer relevance and cultural ascendency is how a brand eventually makes its way into hip-hop. Puffy wore a Franck Muller watch in the “Hate Me Now” music video with Nas. Following that, rappers ranging from Jay-Z to Kanye West to Lil Uzi Vert have all proudly worn Franck Muller watches and mentioned them in their raps. In the realm of the celebrity, Franck Muller himself could be counted among them. In the late 1990s, Anitquorum held a “Famous Faces” charity auction that featured watches donated by celebrities. It was a snapshot of the world’s Who’s Who list: James Cameron, General Norman Schwarzkopf, Harrison Ford, Bob Hope and of course, the only watchmaker ever to be counted within the ranks of internationally recognised faces – Mr Muller himself. Incidentally, the number of Franck Muller watches submitted for bids, equalled the number of the other (then) most popular watch in the world, Rolex.
Denne historien er fra Issue 175-utgaven av August Man SG.
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Denne historien er fra Issue 175-utgaven av August Man SG.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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The One That Started It All
Girard-Perregaux celebrates 49 years of the Laureato, the timepiece that helped to kick-start the popularity of steel sports timepieces.
Return To Mont Blanc
Wes Anderson Brought US To Montblanc's Fictional Headquarters Several Months Ago. Now, He Shows Us More From The Collection.
Manners Maketh Man
The Principle Of Style Is Character, And The Core Of Character Is Conduct.
Slow Travel In Switzerland
The Swiss public transport system certainly aces the luxe factor with eye popping train rides, indulgent multi-course meals on a Belle Epoque era steamship, and even efficient luggage transport services.
A NEW DAWN IN SOLAR ENERGY
AUGUSTMAN SPEAKS TO MANDALA CLUB CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER LILLY GILBERT ABOUT THE MOVEMENT THAT COULD CHANGE HOW BUSINESSES IN KEONG SAIK ARE POWERED THE MANDALA SOLAR COLLECTIVE.
THE POWER OF THREE
ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC IMAGES IN SINGAPORE TOOK THE FORM OF KOKILA PARVATHI, SITI AMIRAH (ALSO KNOWN AS CAMIRA ASRORI) AND SOBIKUN NAHAR ON THEIR WAY TO COURT. AUGUSTMAN SPEAKS TO THEM ABOUT THEIR IDEAS ON COMMUNITY ORGANSING, AND ABOUT RETHINKING OUR THOUGHTS ON POWER.
FLIGHT OF THE NARISAWA BEE
The esteemed Chef Yoshihiro Narisawa shares with us the intimate details of his brand's expansion into Singapore and what having the Mandala Club as its permanent address means to him.
DRINK THROUGH SPACE AND TIME
Preferably with a dram of The Macallan, in hand. The famed whisky maker celebrates 200 years of making perfection.
AND BUTCHER'S BLOCK MAKES IT THREE
SINGAPORE'S CHAPTER OF THE DOM PÉRIGNON SOCIETY HAS INDUCTED A THIRD MEMBER, RAFFLES SINGAPORE'S BUTCHER'S BLOCK, GIVING DISCERNING DINERS BETTER ACCESS TO THE EPICUREAN SAVOIR FAIRE THAT COMES WITH THE MARK OF THE SOCIETY.
AMERICAN SPIRIT
ROB SAMUELS, THE EIGHTH-GENERATION WHISKY-MAKER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MAKER'S MARK, EXPLAINS WHY THE BRAND'S CELLAR AGED EXPRESSION IS A PEAK INTO THE FUTURE OF BOURBON.
