Groupe Franck Muller
The Franck Muller Group, co-founded by prestigious Swiss watchmaker Franck Muller and Armenian-born gem-setter Vartan Sirmakes, is among the smallest groups in the luxury watch world in terms of its overall holdings, but a significant player nonetheless. With three highly respected names in watchmaking under its roof, the Franck Muller Group commands more than its share of respect among watch aficionados.
Brands summary:
Muller was a rising star in the watch world, having built a reputation for crafting high-end tourbillon watches, when he founded his namesake brand in 1992. The brand subsequently became known for its distinctive barrel-shaped cases, colourful dials, and unusual complications including the triple-axis Tourbillon and Crazy Hours. A decade later, Muller helped his employee, Pierre Kunz, open a watch brand within the Franck Muller Group specializing in retrograde complications. The group would also subsequently acquire Backes & Strauss, which was founded in Hanau, Germany in 1789 and distinguishes itself as the world's oldest diamond company, a partnership that would help the historic diamond merchant to diversify into watches. While many of Backes & Strauss' timepieces feature diamonds, its creations have a unique visual identity thanks to their signature thick bezels and prominent numerals.
