This Salmon dial Casablanca men’s automatic watch from Franck Muller also comes with service papers. Model reference 2852.
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
Franck Muller the company was formed in 1991, and by 1996 were producing around 5,000 luxury watches a year, and this included the Casablanca range. The Cintree Curvex case debuted in 1992 and ran for a long time – there was a ten year anniversary model of the Casablanca. This is one of the earlier models, and when comparing to watches with papers we think this was made circa 1996.
CONDITION
We like Franck Muller, and this Casablanca may not be a complicated watch the house is known for, but it is a treat to wear and enjoy. The premises at Genthod are not only traditional from the outside, but modern inside. But we also have had a tour of the Maison a few years ago, and unlike some Swiss brands they were welcoming and very friendly. The company welcome people so come and see everything in what they call Watchland, and this is where all servicing takes place too.
The Casablanca may be the cheapest way to get a Franck Muller, but it was never cheap. We have a price from 1999 for a salmon dial version with bracelet retailing at $5,100 – a reissue TAG Heuer Monaco chronograph was $2,300 at the time. The movement is a FM 2800, 31 jewel nicely decorated automatic with fine adjustment via micrometer screw. We have a service receipt for the €1,100 from 2014, with the same serial number as on the case back. The movement has a platinum rotor, which you could say was just showing off as only your watchmaker will see it, but at this high end of the horological scale you expect every part of the watch to be finished as well as possible. The bracelet is long enough for most wrists and has been cleaned in our ultrasonic bath. You could swap this onto a leather strap if you preferred, but it is always better to have the bracelet – they sell second hand for £1,000+
This watch will be supplied with the original presentation box, 2014 service history and our Certificate of Authenticity.
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SIZE
Width with crown 33.0 mm
Width without crown 31.1 mm
Between lugs 17 mm
Lug to lug length 42.5 mm
Case Thickness 9.6 mm
Bracelet will fit a maximum wrist size of 199 mm. The bracelet can be sized for you if you give us your wrist size when placing the order.
All sizes are approximate.
Included with this watch is a 3 month guarantee and free delivery to UK addresses. If you live outside the UK we can still deliver to most countries. Please see our Worldwide Shipping information, or Contact Us. Payment can be made by most credit or debit cards, bank transfer or PayPal.