Founded in 1992 by Franck Muller and Vartan Sirmakes and known as the "Master of Complications," Franck Muller, the brand, has grown to become synonymous with complex microengineering, original whacky designs, and incredible attention to detail. While tonneau-shaped cases and colorful dials dominate Franck Muller's modern aesthetic, their earlier watches were more traditional round timepieces that featured somewhat classic design motifs, much like the Franck Muller Chronograph ref. 7000CC, which draws inspiration from those earlier years of the brand and the vintage era of watchmaking as a whole with its traditional reverse-panda black and silver dial. Offered here and launched to celebrate the ref. 7000CC double sided rattrapante variant’s 30th anniversary, the ref. 7000CC RCDF that we have here was launched as Grail Watch’s second-ever collaboration, and their first collaboration with Franck Muller. Limited to just 30 pieces and powered by new old stock movements from Franck Muller, the resulting timepiece is a marriage between neo-vintage watchmaking and the modern industry at its finest. Complete with two black and silver dials, one for typical time-telling and chronograph use and the other for more technical applications with its bevy of scales, this stainless steel timepiece is a stunning reinterpretation of the timepieces of old that blends a luxurious construction with a successful homage to the watches that made its creation possible.

An exciting reminder of Franck Muller's early days as a maverick within the independent watchmaking scene, it is examples like this ref. 7000 CCRCDF that piques the interest of those seeking the legendary brand's original designs while still clenching a thirst for modern creature comforts.