Franck Muller Janus, Monopusher Chronograph World Time, Yellow Gold

Raised in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, Franck Muller enrolled himself in the Geneva Watchmaking School at the age of 15. He followed this with a career in restoration, working with collectors and auction houses, building up a reputation for complications. This led to one of his most formative experiences – maintaining and restoring watches in the Patek Philippe Collection, many of which sit in the Patek Philippe Museum today.
In 1984, Muller put together his mechanical and design abilities to create the first tourbillon wristwatch, with the regulating device displayed on the dial side. This was a novelty in an era in which complicated watchmaking had been falling out of favour for some time. Later, in 1991 he would launch his eponymous brand, styling himself the "Master of Complications".

In the intervening years, Muller created a small number of complicated watches that included minute repeaters as well as double-face chronographs, pieces which often also incorporated a Louis Cottier-style world time complication. These pieces were distinct because they bore just the maker’s first name on the dial, and while Muller's work is often characterised by his experimental dials and tonneau-shaped cases, these Franck Genève pieces were exceedingly classical and underpinned by vintage ebauche calibres. They were also distinct because they featured cases by master Jean-Pierre Hagmann. 

This example of the Janus Monopusher Chronograph World Time, produced in the early 1990s in a series of no more than 15 examples, is unique in its configuration. The name Janus, a reference to the double-faced Roman god of transition and time, is fitting for this reference since it typically features a 30-minute chronograph on the dial side and a pulsation scale with another 30-minute subsidiary register on the movement side. However, on the movement side here is a multi-scale display, standing this example apart from most. It bears commonality with later double-faced chronographs that were produced under the Franck Muller brand.

The case, forged from yellow gold by Hagmann, bears several classical details. The rounded form of the world time bezel and caseback extend marginally beyond the coin-edge finish of the midcase. On the dial side, this aids the ergonomics of the rotating world time bezel. The names of the cities are engraved and filled in black. The bezel offers enough resistance to avoid being moved inadvertently. The case is 38mm across and stands 13mm tall. The onion crown incorporates the monopusher for the chronograph, another nod to pocket and early wrist chronographs.

On front view, the lugs are thin, their robust and down-turned form visible in profile. Originating from the midcase, they are polished. On the inside of the top left lug is the coveted JPH hallmark, while on the inside of the top right lug is the precious metal insignia. The 20mm wide lug bars are screwed in and the watch comes on a black, alligator-grained leather strap with a simple, yellow gold pin buckle.

The dial features a 60-second chronograph chapter on its outermost reaches. This sector wears circular satination with the chapter printed in black. This is followed by the day/night indicator with the 24 Arabic hours printed in contrasting shades. Within it lies the Roman chapter of hours on a circular satinated rim. The chapter is interrupted by the 30-minute chronograph and running seconds registers at 3 and 9 o’clock respectively. Both these registers are satinated with black chemin de fer chapters. The heart of the dial is adorned with diamond clous de Paris engine turning with two plaques – one at 12 and the other at 6 o’clock – with the Franck and Genève marks. The hour and minutes hands have spade tips while the central chronograph seconds hand is a simple baton with a curved tip to negate parallax error. All hands are heat blued. 

On the movement side is the multi-scale. It is plied by a large chronograph seconds hand, coupled with the one on the dial side by a long pinion, and mirroring its action. On the outer edges is the pulsation scale, followed by the telemetre and the tachymetre scale that lies in the innermost sector. The names of the scales are printed in maroon while the graduated scales are achieved in black. Each scale is separated by a yellow gold rim. Hand engraved on the caseback rim are the words 'pièce unique'. Underneath lies the manually wound vintage calibre to which Muller added the travel time complication.

This Janus Monopusher Chronograph World Time represents the briefest moments in time from the earliest days of modern independent watchmaking. Its particular configuration, which marks it as unique, further adds to this occasion. The watch comes with paperwork signed by Franck Muller, along with a Franck Muller wooden box.

Closer look

Condition

This Franck Genève Janus is in very good overall condition. The case shows moderate signs of use, displaying superficial marks throughout the bezel, midcase, and caseback. There are also some small imperfections throughout, with light marks and dings consistent with moderate wear. The hallmarks on the outside lugs are worn but still remain visible, while the JPH stamp on the inside lug remains prominent.

Both the front and rear side dials remain in very good condition, with only light spotting in areas visible through a strong loupe.

Warranty

The watch comes with a two-year warranty from A Collected Man, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.