By Kien Lee
In the heart of Geneva, where the reverence for tradition meets a daring spirit of innovation, Franck Muller has imagined a timepiece that utterly defies the conventions of watchmaking and the very perception of time itself. The magnificent Round Triple Mystery is the latest, most enthralling evolution of this vision.
This isn't just a complication; the Round Triple Mystery in Rose Gold is also a finalist in the prestigious Ladies' Complication category (Complication Pour Femme) at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) 2025.
The genesis of the Mystery watch lay in an inspiring cross-cultural encounter experienced by Co-Founder Franck Muller, where time was perceived as unbound and embraced on one's own terms. The original Mystery watch elegantly replaced traditional hands with a single rotating disc for the hour. Two years later, the Double Mystery introduced two seamless rotating discs for hours and minutes.
Now, with the launch of the Triple Mystery, a third rotating seconds disc brings even greater depth to the passage of time, pushing the boundaries of horological artistry once more.At first glance, the dial appears to be floating in motion, utterly untethered by traditional hands. A closer look reveals an intricate ballet of three rotating discs, tirelessly marking the passage of hours, minutes, and, for the first time, seconds.
Housed in a 39 mm case of exquisite Rose Gold or White Gold, the watch beautifully blends sculptural boldness with mechanical finesse. The dial is a spectacle of diamonds, set in a hypnotic spiral that draws the eye toward three rotating triangular indicators. Each gemstone traces its own path, transforming time's passage into a mesmerizing celestial dance.
For the brilliant-cut diamond bezel variation (Reference 7039 TM D 1R CD), the dial is hand-set with 237 brilliant-cut diamonds, totaling 1.96 carats. The three rotating triangular indexes are adorned with an additional 0.07 carats of diamond, emerald, ruby, or blue sapphire. The case itself is hand-set with 120 brilliant-cut diamonds, accounting for 3.90 carats. The hand-set buckle adds 8 brilliant-cut diamonds (0.06 carats).
For those who seek an added touch of brilliance, a variation featuring a baguette-cut diamond-set bezel is also available. The dazzling visual impact is underscored by its breathtaking diamond setting.
In the more elaborate baguette-cut diamond bezel variation (Reference 7039 TM BAG CD), the dial maintains the same stunning pavé setting of 237 brilliant-cut diamonds (1.96 carats) and the 3 triangle-cut indexes (0.07 carats). The case features 80 brilliant-cut diamonds (1.40 carats), and the bezel is distinctively set with 48 baguette-cut diamonds, totaling 4.92 carats. The buckle is finished with 8 brilliant-cut diamonds (0.06 carats).This construction is a technical feat engineered to power three fully independent discs without compromising precision.
The key challenge was integrating the fast-moving seconds disc, which required exceptional lightness to ensure optimal power efficiency and performance. To overcome the increase in energy demand, the central seconds disc is skeletonised, achieving an enchanting design while maintaining the necessary lightness for smooth movement.
The entire structure of the seconds disc and its indicator weighs a delicate 0.052g. Franck Muller’s engineers selected aluminium as the optimal choice for the seconds disc, balancing lightness and rigidity. This delicate component, with bridges measuring just 0.3 mm in width, requires the highest level of precision machining. The movement itself is the Bidirectional automatic MVD 2800-TMY, offering a 42-hour power reserve.
More than a mere timekeeper, the Round Triple Mystery is a story of defiance and imagination. It bends the very language of time, transforming the mystery of hours, minutes, and seconds into a captivating performance of light and motion. Every element has been conceived to enhance this mesmerizing display, elevating the experience of time itself—a stunning tribute to the spirit of invention.
