To mark its 25th anniversary, Franck Muller is treating its WPHH show – held from January 15th to 20th 2017 – to a brand-new setting in one of the annexes of the chateau of the Grand Malagny estate owned by the group. Among the creations being presented, visitors will enjoy a chance to discover a model commemorating the iconic Cintrée Curvex watch and specially created to mark this jubilee.

Vividly testifying to Geneva’s proud architectural heritage, the Grand Malagny estate overlooks Lake Geneva and the Alps from the village of Genthod, where Franck Muller has been established for 25 years. The group has thus chosen to invest right next to its historical stronghold in order to develop its activities, by purchasing this splendid ensemble composed of an 18th century chateau complete with beautifully spreading French-style gardens, along with two neo-classically inspired wings built at the dawn of the 20th century. And it is precisely in one of these two wings, on which restoration work has just be completed, that the 27th edition of the WPHH – World Presentation of Haute Horlogerie will be held. A 2,000 sq.m. exhibition area staged amid this splendid setting will enable visitors to discover the latest creations from the group’s nine brands: Franck Muller, Barthelay, Backes & Strauss, ECW, Martin Braun, Pierre Kunz, Rodolphe, Smalto Timepieces, as well as Roberto Cavalli by Franck Muller.

A “25th anniversary” special edition

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of its founding, the brand has chosen to introduce a special edition of an iconic model showcasing Franck Muller’s creative boldness: the Cintrée Curvex watch. Launched in the early 1990s, it laid a new milestone in contemporary history by introducing a tonneau-shaped case with an unprecedented curving architecture, creating a 3D effect typical of the Franck Muller style. For this anniversary edition, the case sets the stage for the famous baroque-inspired numerals, another emblematic brand signature. They are first engraved into the gold case and then coated with ceramic before being reworked to reveal fascinating relief effects. The enamel dial also bearing these numerals bears a “25th anniversary” logo, while a Manufacture-made movement sets the pace for this special edition.

FRANCK MULLER

Founded in 1992 by the talented watchmaker Franck Muller, in partnership with Fine Watchmaking specialist Vartan Sirmakes, the Franck Muller has – within just 25 years – become an authentic benchmark in the field of luxury watchmaking, thanks to its exceptional expertise and its innovative design. The brand has filed 50 patents to date and currently runs 48 exclusive boutiques around the world, along with seven production sites in Switzerland.

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Sulayem says new liaison offices will attract more competitors, increase event’s global viewing audience

Dubai, UAE, 05January, 2015: The opening of four new overseas liaison offices for the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge POWERED BY Nissan is expected to accelerate the growth of the event now counting down to its 25^th anniversary this year.

Covering the UK and Ireland, Holland and Belgium, Russia, Ukraine and the former CIS Nations, and South Africa, the four new representative offices have been given the key responsibility to boost competitor numbers from those countries.

The Automobile and Touring Club for the UAE, the rally organisers, say the appointments will also help to grow the event’s global TV audience, which exceeded 64 million viewers for the 24^th edition last April of the world’s ultimate desert rally.

“We’re committed to the continued development of the Desert Challenge and have taken steps to make it a bigger and better event as we prepare for its 25^th anniversary,” said ATCUE President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, founder of the rally and FIA Vice President.

“We have chosen people who have strong connections with cross country rally teams and competitors in their respective regions to operate the four new liaison offices.

“We’re confident they will help us attract more experienced drivers and riders into the Desert Challenge, and that this will increase media interest in the event in those countries, resulting in more growth of our global audience.”

The 25^th Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, taking place from 27 March to 2 April 2015, is part of the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies for cars and the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship for bikes.

The new liaison office for Russia, Ukraine and the former CIS Nations will be operated by the UAE-based VVI Rally Team, whose appearance last April underlined the event’s ability to unite countries divided by reasons outside sport.

With the Crimean crisis grabbing world attention, VVI went into action in Abu Dhabi with a Ukrainian general manager, Vadim Pritulyak, overseeing five Russian drivers and riders and a team of mechanics from Kiev, the flags of the two countries being proudly flown together.

Sussex- based rally bike preparation and assistance specialist Desert Rose Racing, run by Dakar Rally veteran Patsy Quick, have been appointed to run the UK and Ireland liaison office.

Quick has a permanent place in cross country rallying history. In 1999 she became the first British woman to successfully complete the Optic 2000 Rallye Tunisie, and over the next two years won the British Women’s Enduro Championship twice, as well as the European Women’s Enduro title.

Her 2003 Dakar Rally debut almost ended in tragedy, when she crashed heavily, was temporarily blinded and unable to walk. Luckily spotted by a media helicopter she was taken to a makeshift hospital, then flown to Cairo where she underwent life-saving surgery to remove her spleen. Despite her ‘near death’ experience she was back in action in the event 12 months later.

Vorden-based HT Rally Raid, managed by another Dakar bikes veteran, Henk Hellegers, has been appointed to run the Desert Challenge liaison office for Holland and Belgium.

The new South African liaison office inJohannesburg is run by Daryll Curtis, his country’s ten-times offroad bikes champion and six-times enduro champion.

In another new Desert Challenge appointment, Hofheim-based Tony Schattat Rallye Navigation Solutions take over liaison responsibilities for Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic.

Other existing liaison offices cover Sweden, Finland and Denmark, France Luxembourg and Switzerland, as well as Italy, Slovenia and Slovakia.

Full details, as well as the 2015 rally guide, can be found on the official website at www.abudhabidesertchallenge.com

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