The lines between high fashion and street culture continue to blur, and few collaborations exemplify this fusion as compellingly as the ongoing partnership between Swiss luxury watchmaker Franck Muller and Japanese streetwear maverick #FR2. Following a highly successful inaugural collaboration, the two powerhouses have reunited to unveil the #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard Beach Limited Edition, a timepiece that effortlessly marries audacious design with horological artistry, perfectly timed for the summer season.
This latest offering builds upon the foundation laid by their 2023 collaboration, the original #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard, which swiftly garnered a cult following among watch enthusiasts and streetwear aficionados alike. While the previous iteration embraced a more subdued aesthetic, the Vanguard Beach Limited Edition bursts forth with an explosion of colour, reflecting the carefree spirit of sun-soaked days and ocean breezes.
A Splash of Summer: Design and Exclusivity
At the heart of this vibrant collection are three distinct colourways, directly inspired by Franck Muller’s existing Vanguard Beach line: Heatwave Red, Surf Blue and Tropical Green. Each shade is designed to evoke a specific facet of summer, from the fiery energy of a hot afternoon to the serene cool of the ocean. The exclusivity of these pieces adds to their allure, with each colourway strictly limited to just 300 units, making them highly coveted collector’s items.
Innovative Materials and Playful Details
A standout feature of the Vanguard Beach Limited Edition is its innovative case construction. Moving beyond traditional materials, Franck Muller has employed a unique fibreglass composite for the tonneau-shaped Vanguard case. The creation of this material is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship: glass is first melted at a searing 1,500 degrees Celsius, drawn into incredibly fine threads and then cooled and formed into sheets of 700 degrees Celsius. These sheets are subsequently infused in special colour baths to achieve their deeply saturated hues before being compressed into robust composite blocks. The result is a bold yet remarkably lightweight and durable case, ideal for everyday wear.
Naturally, the unmistakable Fxxking Rabbits motif – #FR2’s provocative and playful signature – takes centre stage on the dial. These iconic rabbits are depicted in various whimsical beach scenarios: lounging under a beach umbrella, gracefully riding a surfboard, or exploring lush tropical vegetation. Adding a clever touch, the date window at the 2 o’clock position not only serves a practical function but also ingeniously doubles as a blazing sun, a subtle yet effective visual callback to #FR2’s brand identity. For enhanced legibility and a captivating glow in low light, both the rabbit motif and the skeletonised obelisk hands are meticulously coated with Super-Luminova.
Technical Finesse and Functional Flair
Beyond its striking aesthetics, the #FR2NK MULLER Vanguard Beach Limited Edition upholds Franck Muller’s reputation for technical excellence. The watch is powered by the reliable self-winding MVT 2536-SCDT2H movement, ensuring fuss-free convenience for the wearer. Complementing the vibrant case, each timepiece is fitted with a distinctive nylon strap featuring a comfortable leather underside and a practical hook-and-loop closure, perfect for sandy environments. The straps themselves are adorned with bold text and unique graphics that extend the watch dial’s visual motif, drawing inspiration from archetypal Japanese streetwear aesthetics.
A Synergy of Audacity
As a regional exclusive, the new #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard Beach Limited Edition has launched across Asia Pacific on Jul 17, 2025. This release promises to be another landmark moment in the ongoing narrative of two brands pushing the boundaries of their respective crafts, proving that when street fashion meets haute horlogerie, the possibilities are truly endless.
