Franck Muller Vanguard Alquimiamc

In a compelling new chapter for Swiss watchmaking, Franck Muller has partnered with the distinctive talent of Mexican architect and sculptor Marcos Cojab, known in the art world as .ALQUIMIAMC. This collaboration has given birth to the Vanguard Alquimiamc, a highly exclusive, limited-edition timepiece that explores the dynamic intersection of horological mechanics and contemporary sculptural art. The release marks the first entry in a new cultural initiative named "The Art of Time," a program developed with Franck Muller's exclusive Mexican partner, Raconli Group. This venture aims to create a series of watches that are not merely instruments for telling time, but are themselves tangible works of art, born from the fusion of two distinct creative disciplines.



The artist at the heart of this project, Marcos Cojab, has built an international reputation for his profound exploration of material, form, and symbolism. An architect by training, his transition into sculpture since 2014 has been characterized by a unique artistic language. He developed a proprietary electrodeposition process to combine and manipulate metals like gold, silver, bronze, and copper, creating textures and forms that are both raw and refined. His work often centers on the reinterpretation of the skull, a powerful motif that he uses to investigate themes of life, transformation, and the passage of time. Cojab's sculptures have been celebrated in major international art fairs and museums, from Art Basel Miami to the Museo Soumaya in Mexico City, establishing him as a significant voice in contemporary sculpture.



This partnership is more than a simple co-branding exercise; it represents a symbolic and physical bridge between the watchmaking workshops of Geneva and the vibrant art scene of Mexico City. "The Art of Time" initiative sets out to challenge the traditional boundaries of horology, proposing that a watch can serve as a canvas for artistic expression that transcends its utilitarian function. The Vanguard Alquimiamc is the flagship of this philosophy, a piece designed to be a collector's object where eternal craftsmanship meets a form of ephemeral art—ephemeral because the very material of the watch is intended to change and evolve with its owner.



The choice of the Franck Muller Vanguard as the foundation for this collaboration is deliberate. The Vanguard collection is known for its modern, sporty aesthetic, characterized by a clean, powerful tonneau-shaped case and an integrated strap that creates a seamless flow around the wrist. For the Alquimiamc, the brand selected the Vanguard Slim profile, which offers remarkable finesse and balance. The case measures a contemporary 41 millimeters in width and 49.95 millimeters in length, but with a thickness of only 9.1 millimeters, it maintains a sleek and comfortable presence, embodying a perfect union of strength and refinement.



Central to the watch's identity is its material: bronze. This alloy was specifically chosen for its "living" quality. Unlike stainless steel or gold, bronze reacts to its environment, developing a natural patina over time as it oxidizes. This process means that no two watches will ever be exactly alike. Each piece will gradually acquire a unique character, its surface tones shifting and deepening based on the wearer's lifestyle and environment. This slow, constant transformation is a physical manifestation of the project's core themes, turning the watch into a personal chronicle of time's passage. The case is finished with a meticulous hand-brushing technique that highlights the warm, metallic luster of the new bronze.



Visually, the design is cohesive and striking. The bronze case features subtle yet impactful green inserts on both its right and left flanks. This flash of color serves as a prelude to the dial's aesthetic, creating a visual link that ties the entire piece together. The curved silhouette, a signature of Franck Muller's design ethos, ensures the watch contours elegantly to the wrist, offering a level of comfort that belies its bold artistic statement. The case is water-resistant to 30 meters and is protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, ensuring its durability for daily wear.



The Vanguard Alquimiamc is presented with two distinct dial variations, each offering a different interpretation of the collaboration's artistic vision. The foundation for both is a dial crafted from oxidized bronze, creating a textured, mottled surface that appears like an ancient artifact. This "living canvas" is the result of a complex process, beginning with a stamped guilloché sun pattern that provides underlying geometry, followed by a brushed finish and the application of 25 layers of translucent lacquer. This layering technique gives the dial immense visual depth, with the colors shifting from deep umber to rich gold depending on the light.



The first model presents a minimalist and sculptural approach. It forgoes numerals entirely, allowing the raw, patinated beauty of the bronze dial to take center stage. The focus is on texture, color, and form. At the center of the dial, integrated into the hub of the hands, is the faint outline of .ALQUIMIAMC’s emblematic skull. It appears almost as a watermark, a ghostly presence that serves as a subtle memento mori—a reflection on the nature of time and existence that is central to both the artist's work and Mexican cultural symbolism. This version is a pure celebration of the material itself.



The second model introduces a dramatic and modern contrast. On the same oxidized bronze base, it features Franck Muller’s signature oversized applique numerals. These numerals, meticulously painted by hand and then applied to the dial, are rendered in a vibrant, almost electric green. This bold choice creates a stunning dialogue between the earthy, ancient feel of the patinated bronze and the contemporary energy of the green. The color perfectly matches the inserts on the case sides, reinforcing the watch's integrated design language. This version is an extroverted expression of art and horology, blending tradition with a shock of modernity.



Powering both versions of the Vanguard Alquimiamc is the in-house MVT FM 708 automatic movement. The development of a proprietary caliber is a hallmark of a true manufacture, and this movement is a testament to Franck Muller’s technical prowess. Its remarkably thin profile, with a thickness of just 3.83 millimeters, is what enables the svelte proportions of the Vanguard Slim case. The movement is composed of 136 individual components, a testament to its sophisticated construction.



The MVT FM 708 operates at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz), providing a reliable and stable performance. When fully wound, it offers a power reserve of 38 hours, making it a practical and dependable timepiece for regular use. The crown operates in two positions: the first for manual winding of the mainspring, and the second for setting the hours and minutes with precision. This user-friendly interface ensures that the watch's technical aspects are as refined as its artistic ones.



True to the standards of haute horlogerie, the movement is adorned with a host of exquisite traditional decorations. These finishes, while hidden behind a solid case back, are a declaration of the quality and craftsmanship invested in every aspect of the watch. The bridges and rotor plate are decorated with classic Côtes de Genève stripes, while the mainplate features delicate perlage, or circular graining. Further embellishments include diamond polishing on the sinks, sunray brushing on the barrel cover and rotor segment, and snailing on the ratchets, creating a symphony of textures that play with light.



Every detail of the watch has been considered to complete the artistic vision. The case back is a solid piece of bronze, serving as a final canvas for the collaboration. It is deeply engraved with a second, more prominent skull, accompanied by the artist's signature, ".ALQUIMIAMC." This final touch firmly establishes the timepiece as a numbered piece of art, a collector's item that carries the personal mark of its creator.



The watch is secured to the wrist with a high-quality strap that perfectly complements the overall design. The material appears to be a durable textile weave, colored in the same vibrant green as the numerals and case inserts. This choice not only ensures visual harmony but also adds a sporty, contemporary feel to the piece. The strap is seamlessly integrated into the case, a key feature of the Vanguard design that enhances its ergonomic feel.



The buckle is an equally well-engineered component. It is a folding clasp crafted from brushed titanium, a lightweight yet incredibly strong material. The buckle is capped with a bronze lid, continuing the primary material theme of the case and ensuring every element of the watch feels connected and deliberate. This combination of materials provides both security and comfort for the wearer.



The fusion of Franck Muller's avant-garde Swiss watchmaking with Marcos Cojab's culturally rich artistic vision has resulted in a timepiece that is both intellectually stimulating and visually captivating. It challenges the wearer to contemplate the nature of time not as a series of sterile measurements, but as a transformative force that shapes everything, including the very object on their wrist.



The Franck Muller Vanguard Alquimiamc is an exercise in extreme exclusivity. The entire production is limited to a mere 15 pieces across both dial variations. This scarcity ensures its status as a true collector's item, destined for a very small circle of enthusiasts who appreciate the convergence of high-end watchmaking and contemporary art.



Furthermore, this special edition is available exclusively in Mexico, through Franck Muller's official retail partner. This distribution strategy honors the origin of the artistic collaboration and reinforces the cultural bridge that the "The Art of Time" program seeks to build. It is a celebration of Mexican artistry presented on a Swiss horological canvas, offered first and foremost to the culture that inspired it. This creation does not simply measure time; it interprets it, transforms it, and makes it tangible.



Case: Vanguard case in hand-brushed bronze measuring 41 mm in width, 49.95 mm in length, and 9.1 mm in thickness. Features green inserts on the case sides, a sapphire crystal, and water resistance up to 30 meters.

Movement: In-house automatic Caliber MVT FM 708 with a 38-hour power reserve. It is composed of 136 components, has a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour, and is extensively decorated with Côtes de Genève, perlage, and sunray brushing.

Dial: Oxidized bronze with a stamped guilloché sun pattern and 25 layers of lacquer. Available in two versions: one with hand-painted green applique numerals and one minimalist version with no numerals. Both feature an emblematic skull at the center.

Strap: Green textile strap with an integrated design. Features a brushed titanium folding buckle with a bronze lid.

Price: Upon Request

Reference Number: V 41 S AT ALQUIMIAMC AP BR (VE) and V 41 S AT ALQUIMIAMC NBR BR (VE)

Notes: A collaboration with Mexican artist Marcos Cojab (.ALQUIMIAMC), limited to only 15 pieces and available exclusively in Mexico. The bronze case is a "living metal," designed to develop a unique patina over time, making each watch one-of-a-kind.