Franck Muller returns with cheeky rabbits in an Asia-Pacific limited edition reprising its earlier collaboration with Japanese streetwear brand #FR2, which is also known as Fxxking Rabbits. Following the first edition in black and white that was launched two years ago, the #Fr2nck Muller Vanguard Beach features a glass fibre composite case in three bright, marbled colours, along with a dial featuring a relief of the titular rabbits.

Initial thoughts

Like the first edition, the Vanguard Beach is bold, rude, and fun. The twin rabbit logo is small so it’s only visible at arm’s length, but the brightly coloured case still makes this hard to miss. The watch doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is a good fit for Franck Muller’s brand ethos. But this fun comes at a price of about US$14,000. It’s about 30% more expensive than the first edition, which is passable in today’s market where everything feels like it has gotten pricey quickly.

Rabbits on holiday

Each variant of the Vanguard Beach depicts rabbits having fun at the beach. One notable detail is the unusually positioned date window at two o’clock that has a gilded round frame that is meant to represent the Sun.

Rabbits aside, the notable aspect of the #FR2 edition is the glass fibre composite case in the lug-less Vanguard format. Though it’s not a new material, glass fibre composite is relatively novel in watchmaking, where carbon fibre composite is most common.

Glass fibre composite is similar to its carbon counterpart, except the carbon fibre is replaced by glass. Here sheets of glass fibres are coloured, layered, and then suspended in a polymer, before being baked to created a solid block of composite that can be machined into a case.

Like carbon fibre composite, glass fibre composite is not valuable in itself, but as with many things in watchmaking, its value lies in the fabrication and finishing.

The Vanguard Beach is powered by the cal. 2536-SCDT2H, a compact in-house automatic movement with a 42 hour power reserve. Though details on the calibre are not available, it appears descended from the proprietary movement developed by one of Franck Muller’s subsidiary brands that has evolved into a workhorse movement for the wider group.

Key facts and price

Franck Muller #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard Beach
Ref. V 41 SC DT BEACH FR2

Diameter: 41 mm by 49.95 mm
Height: 12.2 mm
Material: Glass fibre composite
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 30 m

Movement: Cal. 2536-SCDT2H
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, and date
Winding: Self-winding
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 42 hours

Strap: White nylon strap with print

Limited edition: 300 pieces each
Availability: Now at Franck Muller boutiques and retailers in Asia
Price: 18,800 Singapore dollars including GST (equivalent to US$14,700)

For more, visit franckmuller-sea.com.