Simply Abu Dhabi XXII

2 2 5 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I S keleton watches have soared in popularity in recent years, the sheer aesthetic impact and demanding meticulous craftsmanship being widely appreciated and sought-after. The art of skeletonisation has existed for centuries, but in so far as trends are cyclical, we are in a skeleton moment. The art of skeletonisation, also referred to as open-working, effectively shaves away the watch dial and leaves the bare bones of the movement on display. This final lattice-like structure is then embellished with a range of decorative métiers d'Art including several polishing techniques and guilloché – a royal craft formerly known as ornamental turnery originating in the 16th century. What remains is a silent symphony of cogs, wheels, bridges, pinions, plates and springs as the movement enacts its hypnotic dance. This fundamental process of removal is absent with a skeleton watch, such as the Franck Muller 7 Days Power Reserve Skeleton, as these skeleton watches are developed with open aesthetics in mind from the design stage onwards. Skeleton and skeletonised watches are often described as minimalist, derived from the notion of stripping away surplus material. Yet it would be remiss to think of them as minimalistic, such is the complexity of the movement and the craftsmanship that goes into masterfully decorating the final creation. The pioneering mechanism of the 7 Days Power Reserve is another achievement for Franck Muller and for connoisseurs it looks set to be a brand classic. The new calibre 1740 is a manually wound mechanical movement featuring two barrels and a high performance Franck Muller escapement, together with an in-house manufactured Breguet hairspring and balance screw. Describing the new line, the brand says, “Embracing a new skeleton avatar, this collection is the quintessential rendering of the art of timekeeping. The uniqueness of this skeletonised collection is the calibre 1740 that features a generous seven days power reserve. Powered by two barrels, this mechanical movement is precisely designed, manufactured and decorated in-house. The bridges are hand-chamfered, an essential element of decoration in Haute Horlogerie.” The master watchmakers at Franck Muller have succeeded, through months of dedication and commitment, in adapting the calibre 1700 into a skeleton form that unveils the intensely technical mechanism. This 1740 is a winning achievement of signature aesthetics and redoubtable precision. This proprietary beauty is available in an 18-carat gold or stainless steel version with the option of round or cintrée curvex casing.