When Smaller Is Better

Franck Muller's Grand Central Tourbillon puts the mechanical complication in the spotlight with something a little more wearable.

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FRANCK MULLER'S NEW Grand Central Tourbillon Curvex CX 36 is a smaller, more wearable expression of the watch that was first released last year. It measures 36.5mm wide and 52.65mm long, making it better suited to small wrists. But make no mistake even reduced, it is a hefty wrist presence indeed, especially because of its dramatic curvature and domed sapphire crystal - not to mention the namesake complication that is one of the rare central tourbillons in a tonneau-shaped movement. Thanks to a stacking mechanism, the tourbillon is elevated above the dial, making it particularly easy to appreciate as it rotates once per minute. The bridge doubles as a running seconds indicator.