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urologist · Jan 3rd, 2009, 06:03 PM

Hi everyone--

I am hoping you might be able to help me. I received a Franck Muller watch for Christmas. It looks and feels authentic (i.e. heavy), and it came in an appropriate case and such. However, I noticed that on the back of the watch it does *not* say "Master of Complications" as all of the Franck Muller watches that I have seen in the past do.

My cousin (whose fiance's family owns a jewelry store) gave this to me as a combined gift for completing residency and for Christmas, so it's not unusual that this would be real. However, I am REALLY concerned about the lack of engraving on the back. The rest of the engraving looks legitimate.

Unfortunately, there are not any authorized dealers in my area, and before I take it to a jeweler and have them take it apart, I wanted to see if I needed to worry.

Thanks, ladies!

jan228 · Jan 3rd, 2009, 08:41 PM

I think pictures would probably help in this situation. It's best to compare high-res detailed pictures of your watch and an authentic one. Could you take pics of the front and back of the watch?

urologist · Jan 3rd, 2009, 09:18 PM

Hi--here are a few pictures. Sorry about the flash on the face of the watch--I just can't get a good flush shot without a flash reflection.

But it's the back I'm worried about--in most of the watches I've seen, it says, "Master of Complications" in script, between "Geneve" and the serial number. I've done a little research and there are a few watches from what appear to reputable eBay resellers that *don't* have the script, but most do. I've called a couple of jewelry stores, but no one seems to know much about Franck Muller (even when they are ADs!), but they said most of the watches do have that inscription on the back.

I would LOVE any help! Thanks!

urologist · Jan 3rd, 2009, 09:18 PM

For some reason, the "manage attachments" button just won't work, so let me try to post again....

ETA: got them to work....sorry!

jan228 · Jan 3rd, 2009, 11:55 PM

Hmm, as far as I can tell, it looks fine. I'm no expert, but I do know that companies will make minute changes to models every year.

For example, my husband just bought the new 2009 Breitling Superavenger and this year the hour numbers are replaced with lines and the chronographs are the same color as the face as opposed to the 2008 models. It's possible that the model watch you received is just from a line that didn't have the inscription (it may be a newer or older feature). Other watches come with different bands or bracelets depending on which market they're being sent to (European/Asian/American), so it may be something like that as well.

As far as it being a fake, I would agree with you in that it's most likely real, but there was a scandal recently where a FM supplier was caught selling replicas with real parts.

nielsen.jimmy · Jan 4th, 2009, 12:51 AM

Hi, Franck Muller watch owner

All the Franck Muller watches with "cheap" Movement inside, as QZ (quartz) instead of mechanical movement does not have "Master of Complications" inscriped on the back.

Anyway most of the "Master of Complications" Franck Muller watches are modified ETA movments http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ETA_SA
Only the High end watches like Tourbillion (200.000 USD) and simmilar wartches are inhouse made movements.

actually the QZ (quartz) movement are more accurate than the mechanical movments.

I dont think that you watch is a replica, replicas do not have the quality controle stamp on the mid right side.
The best way you can test if it is a replica is to test the case. Replicas are not made out of gold. Franck Muller only use solid gold cases if it is gold (not plated)

Good luck, bay the way nice watch

Jimmy

urologist · Jan 4th, 2009, 01:10 AM

Originally Posted by nielsen.jimmy

Hi, Franck Muller watch owner

All the Franck Muller watches with "cheap" Movement inside, as QZ (quartz) instead of mechanical movement does not have "Master of Complications" inscriped on the back.

Anyway most of the "Master of Complications" Franck Muller watches are modified ETA movments http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ETA_SA
Only the High end watches like Tourbillion (200.000 USD) and simmilar wartches are inhouse made movements.

actually the QZ (quartz) movement are more accurate than the mechanical movments.

I dont think that you watch is a replica, replicas do not have the quality controle stamp on the mid right side.
The best way you can test if it is a replica is to test the case. Replicas are not made out of gold. Franck Muller only use solid gold cases if it is gold (not plated)

Good luck, bay the way nice watch

Jimmy

Hi Jimmy--

Welcome to tPF!

Thank you--that explains so much! Yes, the others that I found online without the inscription were also quartz. And I was wondering what that mark in the side was--it's so small, but it was on the authentic watches as well, so I figured that was OK.

Thanks again--I feel sooooo much better!

creayu · May 12th, 2009, 11:22 PM

I think your watch is auth. The 2 small markings refer to the international standards for gold. If you use a magnifying glass, you can see a scales and a dog(like a schnauzer). As far as I know, the rep FM watches do not have these signs. This watch is from
his early collections which doesn't have the "master of complications" engraved.

Jan 3rd, 2009, 06:03 PM	#1
urologist OP Member Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 926	Please help me with my new Franck Muller watch! Hi everyone-- I am hoping you might be able to help me. I received a Franck Muller watch for Christmas. It looks and feels authentic (i.e. heavy), and it came in an appropriate case and such. However, I noticed that on the back of the watch it does not say "Master of Complications" as all of the Franck Muller watches that I have seen in the past do. My cousin (whose fiance's family owns a jewelry store) gave this to me as a combined gift for completing residency and for Christmas, so it's not unusual that this would be real. However, I am REALLY concerned about the lack of engraving on the back. The rest of the engraving looks legitimate. Unfortunately, there are not any authorized dealers in my area, and before I take it to a jeweler and have them take it apart, I wanted to see if I needed to worry. Thanks, ladies!
urologist OP Member Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 926

Jan 3rd, 2009, 08:41 PM	#2
jan228 Sofa King Banned Joined: May 2008 Posts: 1,650	I think pictures would probably help in this situation. It's best to compare high-res detailed pictures of your watch and an authentic one. Could you take pics of the front and back of the watch?
jan228 Sofa King Banned Joined: May 2008 Posts: 1,650

Jan 3rd, 2009, 09:18 PM	#4
urologist OP Member Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 926	For some reason, the "manage attachments" button just won't work, so let me try to post again.... ETA: got them to work....sorry!
urologist OP Member Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 926	Last edited by urologist; Jan 3rd, 2009 at 09:21 PM.

Jan 3rd, 2009, 11:55 PM	#5
jan228 Sofa King Banned Joined: May 2008 Posts: 1,650	Hmm, as far as I can tell, it looks fine. I'm no expert, but I do know that companies will make minute changes to models every year. For example, my husband just bought the new 2009 Breitling Superavenger and this year the hour numbers are replaced with lines and the chronographs are the same color as the face as opposed to the 2008 models. It's possible that the model watch you received is just from a line that didn't have the inscription (it may be a newer or older feature). Other watches come with different bands or bracelets depending on which market they're being sent to (European/Asian/American), so it may be something like that as well. As far as it being a fake, I would agree with you in that it's most likely real, but there was a scandal recently where a FM supplier was caught selling replicas with real parts.
jan228 Sofa King Banned Joined: May 2008 Posts: 1,650

Jan 4th, 2009, 12:51 AM	#6
nielsen.jimmy Member Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1	Hi, Franck Muller watch owner All the Franck Muller watches with "cheap" Movement inside, as QZ (quartz) instead of mechanical movement does not have "Master of Complications" inscriped on the back. Anyway most of the "Master of Complications" Franck Muller watches are modified ETA movments http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ETA_SA Only the High end watches like Tourbillion (200.000 USD) and simmilar wartches are inhouse made movements. actually the QZ (quartz) movement are more accurate than the mechanical movments. I dont think that you watch is a replica, replicas do not have the quality controle stamp on the mid right side. The best way you can test if it is a replica is to test the case. Replicas are not made out of gold. Franck Muller only use solid gold cases if it is gold (not plated) Good luck, bay the way nice watch Jimmy
nielsen.jimmy Member Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1

May 12th, 2009, 11:22 PM	#8
creayu Member Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 32	I think your watch is auth. The 2 small markings refer to the international standards for gold. If you use a magnifying glass, you can see a scales and a dog(like a schnauzer). As far as I know, the rep FM watches do not have these signs. This watch is from his early collections which doesn't have the "master of complications" engraved.
creayu Member Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 32

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