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mbjoer

Muller Moonphase

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mbjoer

Some time ago a freind of mine got interested in reps and I got involved in the practical arrangements while I visited him in the US.

 

Had a good couple of hours on TD websites, then got an order for 6 watches put together, and finally after some communication with a TD placed the order and PPed the money.

 

Then I went back to the UK, only to get a message that 4 of the 6 watches were not available. VERY annoying!!

 

One of those watches not available was the Frank Muller Moon Phase Chronograph: http://puretimewatch...ose-gold-white/

 

This is a fantasy model made to work on the Sea-Gull ST19 movement, loosely based on the Franck Muller Perpetual Biretro. A bit like a BMW 300 is loosely based on a BMW 700:

 

Perpetual Biretro:

 

 

franckmullerbiretro.jpg

 

 

 

Moonphase Chronograph:

 

051.jpg

 

 

A while later Theflyingdutchman posts a family protrait of his FM collection and one of the watches shown was precisely the one that had been ordered. And (to cut a long story short) that one is now in my hands on the way from Dutchy to the US.

That gave me the opportunity to play abit with the watch before it went to it's rightful owner and to utter a few opinions about it to the forum.

 

Fantasy - But pretty good.

 

To me the most important aspect with a watch is if it is plausible. For relatively rare brands that means two things before anything else:

1) - Is the watch made with the attention to detail which such a luxurious watch should have? and

2) - Could it have been made by the Gen makers?

 

With this one the attention to detail is pretty good. Not fantastic, but 85% there. Which is to be expected given the low price of a rep and the very high price of a Gen.

 

First of all (and no surprises here) the rep strap is crap. That is clearly evident on the Puretime pictures, and Dutchy had already changed that for a much better real croc strap.

 

But also there are a few smaller issues with the watch.

The dial does not have the deep guilleoche of you would expect on a Gen.

The moon/star wheel is nowhere near as nicely made as one would expect on a Frank Muller.

And unfortunately the dial is not too precisely printed:

 

058-1.jpg

 

 

The crown is pretty good, considering that the Gen FM crowns often are not that crisp in the detailing:

 

 

042.jpg

 

 

 

The back has nice and deep engravings. Full points here:

 

 

050.jpg

 

 

 

The movement is naturally not close to a Gen, but it remains one of the more attractive rep movements.

 

 

 

The clasp is pretty cheap with etchings. Not that impressive, but have seen worse:

 

056.jpg

 

 

 

As to the second plausibility test, this one passes with flying colours. It has all the design elements of a Gen FM and nobody but the members here or the AD would know that this one does not exist in the Gen model line-up. It looks very convinding.

 

 

All this was the anal micro analysis, which is useful if you consider getting one (and it becomes available again).

 

 

 

Now, the wristies:

 

 

058.jpg

 

059-1.jpg

 

And here the watch suddenly takes on a completely different life. It really looks great, convincing and plausible.

 

It is not my watch, but I could dream about it. In spite of the short-comings it really looks the role when worn.

 

A very nice fantasy.

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grb

I had a FM Conquistador a while back delightful face this looks very nice mb. The Dutchman has some good stuff

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theflyingdutchman

.... I have tears in my eyes... WHY! WHY DID I SELL YOU! ..... please take care of it.... P.S. I still have these for sale...

 

083.jpg

Edited by theflyingdutchman

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grb

He never misses an opportunity, you give him a compliment and he tries to sell you something else, I love him

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theflyingdutchman

He never misses an opportunity, you give him a compliment and he tries to sell you something else, I love him

 

Do I need to feal ??? I just have to many! And some need a new home...

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grb

Send me some

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grb

Send me the one on the left

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theflyingdutchman

Send me some

Send me the one on the left

 

PM sent! But maybe you where BS'ing me....

Edited by theflyingdutchman

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Polis1mbit

.... I have tears in my eyes... WHY! WHY DID I SELL YOU! ..... please take care of it.... P.S. I still have these for sale...

 

083.jpg

The one on the right is bigger than the one on the left ? or is it the angle ? Can you please tell me the price for each one ? iam interested to buy one and please give me the dimensions of the case. thank you

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theflyingdutchman

.... I have tears in my eyes... WHY! WHY DID I SELL YOU! ..... please take care of it.... P.S. I still have these for sale...

 

 

The one on the right is bigger than the one on the left ? or is it the angle ? Can you please tell me the price for each one ? iam interested to buy one and please give me the dimensions of the case. thank you

 

 

All gone months ago!

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Soldie

Is anyone aware of another good Franck Mueller moon phase? When reps are made, generally how many are produced at a time? Soldie

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theflyingdutchman
Is anyone aware of another good Franck Mueller moon phase? When reps are made, generally how many are produced at a time? Soldie

 

Yes, see here:

 

eja8u8u6.jpg

jybybe2a.jpg

Edited by theflyingdutchman

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Soldie

Flying Dutchman, happy holidays! Are they available? Through you? Can you give me information? Thanks. Soldie

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Luthier

Yes, Dutchy has his own shnoob factory in Zimbabwe, that make best AAAAA+ Swiss FM reps, 1:1 out of the box.

Hurry up!!! Quantity is limited.

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theflyingdutchman
Yes, Dutchy has his own shnoob factory in Zimbabwe, that make best AAAAA+ Swiss FM reps, 1:1 out of the box.

Hurry up!!! Quantity is limited.

 

Its in Nigeria!

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Monty010

Love the Casablanca!! but would prefer a black dial myself.

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Soldie

Just received it, pictures soon. 1st rep, beyond brilliant. Soldie

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Freeboy

wow those sure are some sweet FMs

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