Founded in 1991 by watchmaker Franck Muller and case maker 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 this Franck Muller Endurance 24. Having sponsored one of the McLaren team’s cars in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1995 (a McLaren F1 GTR), Franck Muller released the Endurance 24 to celebrate the famed race and pay homage to the classical automotive-inspired mid-century chronograph. A balanced blend of Franck Muller’s unique design language and its source of inspiration, the original Endurance 24 design (which the variant we have here has) uses only two registers and chronograph pump pushers, which were later changed in 1997 for a triple register, screw-down pusher design. With its orange dial using a 24-hour layout with luminescent Arabic numerals, blued steel hands, and alternating black and orange inscriptions, the Endurance 24 celebrates its own legibility, as per the practical requirements of automotive racing while still retaining Franck Muller’s recognizable aesthetic. Measuring 37mm across, its round 18kt red gold case wears like the mid-century chronographs it draws inspiration from, with its stepped bezel ensuring it retains a classic air to its functional design.

Balancing Franck Muller's classical aesthetic and its tool watch inspiration, the Endurance 24 is an interesting offering from Franck Muller's early days that has slipped under the radar of most collectors.