Franck Muller Group (FMG) recently wrapped up its 4th annual Salon World Première of Haute Horlogerie & Jewellery (WPHH) in Monaco. Several watches from the different Franck Muller Group brands (Rodolphe, Pierre Kunz, Antoine Martin, et al) were unveiled, but the star of the show undoubtedly goes to the new Franck Muller Tourbillon Rapide Thunderbolt. This the fastest tourbillon ever, completing a rotation every five seconds! We’ve got pics and hands on video to show you, on the jump.
Franck Muller Tourbillon Thunderbolt 5 Second Tourbillon (video by iW)
Yes indeed, this unique tourbillon — powered by four barrels (!) — makes one rotation in 5 seconds on a ceramic ball bearing. This is 12x faster than most tourbillons, which rotate once every usual 60 seconds. The patented escapement with fixed escapement wheel and reversed anchor comes after three years of R&D — the 231-part, manual wind mechanical beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour (3Hz) , and was developed FMG by master watchmaker Pierre-Michele Golay (inventor of the Giga Tourbillon).
The movement is meticulously finished with circular graining, hand chamfering and engraving:
photo: A Timely Perspective
