Franck Muller launches the latest Skafander collection

With a name that recalls a historical atmospheric pressure diving suit, the Skafander by Franck Muller sits at the crossroads of haute horlogerie and adventure sports. Its robust tonneau shaped case echoes that of many Franck Muller classic favourites, except this time it comes reinforced with crown guards, pusher locks, and a hefty bezel secured with six exposed screws alternating between hour numerals.

As a modern sea worthy luxury timepiece, the Skafander can plunge into depths of up to 100 metres, making it perfectly qualified as an official diver’s watch – and an extra stylish one at that since it’s not very often we see diver’s watches made in any case shape other than round. Yet Skafander has not compromised performance for aesthetics, as it is built with an inner rotating bezel featuring an innovative and easy-to-operate pusher system rather than a conventional turning crown.

A unique Franck Muller world first

The first of its kind, this ingenious system includes two push pieces, positioned at 8 and 10 o’clock, that advance the inner rotating bezel by one minute and five minutes intervals respectively. But to manipulate the pushers, you would first have to release the safety lock at 9 o’clock, which also works to prevent diver mishandling. And just like any good diver’s watch, Skafander includes a place finder marked in orange at 12 o’clock as well as a clearly distinguished minutes hand, along with an arrow- tipped seconds hand that doubles up as an operating indicator.

Still, there’s no ignoring the haute horlogerie pedigree ofexhibitions on watchmaking history, Franck Muller craftsmanship, the origins of Franck Muller Watchland, and more, to spark enriching conversations about the Master of Complications. this high performance timepiece. Its multipart case has been expertly finished with a mix of contrasting textures and relief engraved numerals, and its multi-layered dial offers a peek into the intricate mechanics of the movement sitting underneath.

Skafander cuts a striking silhouette with its 46mm X 57mm frame and it is indeed not for the faint of heart. But wearers have a choice to embrace its powerful heft with the rose gold or stainless steel model, or subvert it with ultralight brushed or blackened titanium. Either way, there are choices galore in terms of colour. Red, yellow, and blue to stand out from the crowd, and black for an understated aesthetic – or to match your wetsuit. The choice is completely yours.

Premiering at Cortina Capitol & other exclusive locations

A luxury treat for the scuba enthusiast or anyone who appreciates being near the sea, this contemporary diver’s watch is available for preview at the newly opened Franck Muller boutique located at Capitol Singapore, along with Cortina Watch boutiques at Paragon, Mandarin Gallery, and Raffles City, between 17th June and 1st July, among some of the locations.

The Franck Muller Capitol Singapore store opened its doors in May 2021, and is the Genevan watchmaker’s first monobrand boutique managed by Cortina Watch. As the new parent company of Sincere Fine Watches, Cortina Holdings Limited continues to represent Franck Muller and manage the brand’s wide network of boutiques across Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Under its new distributorship, Franck Muller is set to embark on a massive rebranding campaign in Southeast Asia, Australia and South Korea, kicking off with a fresh new identity updated for the 21st century. Franck Muller boutiques and retailers in the region will embrace minute details of watchmaking, drawing inspiration from watch anatomy and the brand’s famous art deco hour numerals.

Completing the in-store experience will be intriguing mini exhibitions on watchmaking history, Franck Muller craftsmanship, the origins of Franck Muller Watchland, and more, to spark enriching conversations about the Master of Complications.