Nicholas Rudaz, CEO of Franck Muller.
As the first watchmaker to create the first-ever tri-axial tourbillon in the world (among other fantastic watchmaking feats), there is no doubt that Franck Muller has always had a knack for coming up with inventions and innovative designs that always turn heads in the watchmaking world.
“This is what we thrive to do, we push the boundaries of watchmaking and of course, we also listen to distributors who give us some tips on what might be a good design for the local market,” says Nicholas Rudaz, CEO of Franck Muller.
We met Rudaz in Kuala Lumpur while he was in town to unveil the limited edition Vanguard Damascus Steel Sincere Platinum Jubilee Edition at the SHH Boutique in Pavilion, yet another creation from Franck Muller that showcases the brand’s expertise in combining the most innovative materials with an intricate eye for detail.
The material in question is Damascus Steel, a combination of different alloys and steel fused together to create a highly durable material. The origins of this steel can be traced back as early as 1500 BC but is known to have been perfected in Damascus, Syria in the manufacturing of swords and other sharp tools.
Franck Muller Vanguard Damascus Steel Sincere Platinum Jubilee Edition.
For the Vanguard Damascus Steel Sincere Platinum Jubilee Edition, the Damascus Steel is crafted from a high-quality alloy of two austenitic, non-magnetic stainless steels (316L and 304L), created through powder metallurgy. This offers incredible durability and corrosion resistance. The material combines two types of stacked steels, a process protected by an international patent, This process ensures the timepiece has a high resistance to shocks and eliminates impurities, allowing the movement to function unhindered.
The fusion of these materials to create the limited-edition timepiece is also crafted with the intention of signifying the strong bond between Sincere Fine Watches and Franck Muller, a partnership dating back to 1991 when The House of Franck Muller was first established.
It was then when Sincere recognised the watchmaker’s potential and soon became one of the first retailers to partner with the brand.
As for Rudaz, who has been with the company since 2007, he’s witnessed the ups and downs of the watch industry, something he says is quite normal to experience in any industry.
“I can say that more recently the impact on the watch industry was COVID which affected everyone, but it also impacted the watch industry by making it go rocket high again, he says.
“Of course, in the last few years there has been a bit of a downturn which is normal because it can’t always go upwards.”
Franck Muller has proven their dedication in pushing the boundaries of watchmaking.
Rudaz believes the key to staying on top form in volatile times is to be able to adapt to different trends and problems. One challenge he admits to facing today is the extremely competitive employment market for watchmakers in Geneva.
“There have been a lot of demand in watchmaking, so it’s a highly competitive scene. One watchmaker can leave for another watchmaker for just 200 Swiss Francs difference in pay, which is a shame,” he says.
“At Franck Muller, while we do have plenty of loyal watchmakers, it’s very completive today within the factories in Geneva, so that’s what I see as a challenge in watchmaking today.”
While challenges such as these are inevitable for the luxury sector, Franck Muller has proven time and time again that their dedication in making timepieces that continue to astonish and fascinate will keep people on their toes for their next big release.
“We always do our best and thrive to sell the dream and be creative, that’s the most important thing for Franck Muller. We are not on the stock exchange, so we don’t need to artificially keep the price of the share up, we just concentrate on designing beautiful watches.”
