Aesthetically Speaking

Visionary designers from the world's leading fashion, watch, automotive, and yacht companies share their creative inspirations and journeys.

-  Alvin Wong, Amos Chin

By Jean-Loup Glénat’s estimation, it takes no more than 20 seconds to sketch the outline of a new watch design. But it’s what happens after that which truly matters. “Sometimes, it takes up to two years to finalise every detail of a watch,” he says.

Having joined Franck Muller in 2010 and assumed the role of head of design in 2017, Glénat is well-versed in the discipline of rigorous attention to detail. His meticulous eye has shaped creations such as the Curvex CX—distinguished by subtle features like a newly developed guilloche pattern that gives the dial a dynamic sense of movement—as well as the brand’s 2025 novelties, including the vividly hued Vanguard Royal Bauxite with cases crafted from an exclusive aluminium alloy, and the intricate, gem-set Vanguard Curvex Cut Flower skeleton watches.

However, for Glénat, design is never just about aesthetics. Instead, he believes that heritage preservation, instinct, customer insight, and a spirit of experimentation are just as vital to contemporary watch design.

How did you get involved in the world of design?

I grew up in a creative environment. My parents were interested in architecture and I studied art from a young age. I knew that I would be working in a creative field when I grew up, but I didn’t know exactly which one. In fact, I spent two years in architecture school but decided to quit because I realised that I prefer to work in a different scale and different context—with products. In subsequent years I encountered different mentors from the watch industry, who slowly introduced me to this world where I could express myself.