To celebrate the Year of the Rabbit, Swiss luxury watch brand Franck Muller and Tokyo-based streetwear label #FR2 have jointly unveiled a new model called the #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard.
This marks the first collaboration between the two brands. This edgy, fashion-forward timepiece comes with a dial anchored by #FR2’s iconoclastic rabbit motif, sitting amid the signature numerals and tonneau case of Franck Muller.
#FR2 aka Fxxking Rabbits
#FR2, also known as Fxxking Rabbits, was founded by Ryo Ishikawa, who’s perhaps best known for founding fashion imprint Vanquish. Following its establishment in 2014, #FR2 quickly attracted a following with its signature rabbit and “Smoking Kills” motifs, as well as its products’ bold photographic prints.
#FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard Watch
The #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard bridges Swiss luxury watchmaking and Japanese street fashion by melding the elements from each universe and complete with its creators’ signature touches.
This is immediately apparent on the dial, where Franck Muller’s timeless yet avant-garde aesthetic has taken on street style sensibilities. A matte white dial base starts things off by establishing a high key aesthetic, upon which black hands, markings, and appliqué indices lie.
At seven o’clock of the monochromatic dial, Franck Muller has placed #FR2’s provocative Fxxking Rabbits motif in lieu of hour markers, with one rabbit’s red eye providing the sole spot of colour on the dial.
Super-Luminova has been selectively applied such that the skeletonised obelisk hands, indices and graphical motif leap out from the dial in the absence of light.
The tonneau-shaped Vanguard case has been rendered in a new carbon and glass fibre composite – a first for the brand, and one that will be reserved for Southeast Asia-exclusive models only. Thanks to random variations in combining carbon powder and glass, every watch case will offer a unique pattern of striations.
The white nylon strap has been emblazoned with black text in a typographic style that will be familiar to street fashion aficionados.
The #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard is a limited edition of 800 pieces. It is available across Southeast Asia and Australia from 6 January 2023.
Technical details
Model: #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard
Reference V 41 SC DT FR2 GFGRNR (NR)
Case
Vanguard case
Carbon and glass fibre composite
Hand polished
Rhodium plating
Water resistant up to 30 meters
Width: 41 mm x Length: 49.95 mm x Thickness: 12.2 mm
Sapphire crystal
Dial
Matte white dial
Super-Luminova applied rabbits
Numerals in black PVD meticulously applied by hand
Functions
Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Date at 6 o’clock
Movement
Calibre MVT FM 800-DT
Self-winding movement with bidirectional rotor system
Power reserve of 42 hours
165 components
21 jewels
Diameter: Ø 26.20 mm. Thickness: 5.50 mm
Balance wheel frequency set at 28,800 alternations per hour
Movement decoration
Côtes de Genève on bridges and the rotor plate
Perlage on the mainplate
Chamfering on the rotor board
Diamond polishing on the sinks and bridge bevels
Sunray brushing on the bridges, rotor segment, bearing cage and barrel cover
Snailing on the ratchets
Circular satin brushing on the wheels
Strap
White nylon strap with black print
Titanium buckle with black PVD coating
