Franck Muller Master Banker

Franck Muller is a brand that doesn't get a lot of attention in today's steel sportwatch-centric consumer mindset.

And we think that's a damn shame.

Muller the man and Muller the brand have brought a lot to the world of modern horology, and his colorful, mid-1990s/early-2000s tonneau-shaped dress watch collection perfectly exhibits a design language that walks a fine line between classical and whimsical.

The Master Banker line was designed ‘for businessmen who are constantly on the move,’ and as such, is a particularly useful dress watch that can display three separate time zones.

This example, a Reference 5850 MB, dates to the 1990s and is housed in a 32mm x 44mm stainless steel Tonneau case with a sapphire crystal and a signed crown. It features a silver guilloche dial with printed gloss-black stylized Arabic indices, a 'feuille' handset, a secondary time zone subdial at 12 o’clock, a third time zone dial at 6 o’clock and a date window at 3 o’clock.

Extremely well balanced, handsome and practical, it’s powered by a specially developed automatic movement from Frank Muller that allows each time zone to be controlled via the crown — an innovation that took several years to develop. 

Paired to its factory multi-link stainless steel bracelet with a signed hidden deployant clasp, this is a supremely cool and under-the-radar timepiece that is at once decidedly retro and suggestive of a dressier, funkier future for wristwear beyond the oversized sports watch that have dominated the horological landscape for over 30 years.

Franck Muller, born to an Italian mother and a Swiss father, got his start in watchmaking at a young age, enrolling in watchmaking school at age 15 and graduating from Ecole d'Horlogerie de Genève in the 1980s. After a start repairing high-end pocket watches for private clients and museums, he created his own tourbillon-equipped wristwatch in 1984. In 1991, he established his own eponymous brand.
Known for their distinctive tonneau-shaped cases, Franck Muller watches frequently contain high complications and are produced in limited series, such as the triple-axis tourbillon — a world first that premiered in 2004 after a years-long development period. Alongside these highly complicated pieces are time-only and time-and-date models that take the best in design languages from classic brands like Cartier and marry it to contemporary movements and stunning dials.
Beloved the world over, Franck Muller watches dazzle with their unique aesthetics and sophisticated horology, and have been worn by celebrities as varied as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Paris Hilton. The brand currently has five watchmaking facilities and hundreds of retailers across the globe.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.