Featuring 1,483 components, 99 jewels and 36 complications, of which 25 are visible, the Franck Muller Aeternitas Mega 4 is a timepiece for the serious watch enthusiast.
The world's most complicated watch took four years to make and includes a unique 1,000 year calendar, known erroneously as the "eternal calendar".
Sold to US watch collector Michael J Gould for $2.7m in 2009, there is continued talk that a second model is in the offing.
The watch has been the pinnacle of Swiss-born Franck Muller's career so far.
Based near the watchmaking capital that is Geneva, the region's beauty is matched only by the watches produced there, and young upstart (in watchmaking terms) Franck Muller is leading the way, producing pricey modern classics that are also in great demand.
 The world's most complicated watch |
Born in 1958, young Franck enrolled himself in the famed watchmaking school Ecole d'Horlogerie de Genève in 1981, inspiring him to produce his first wristwatches, which contained a movement entirely of his own creation.
Called a "watchmaking genius" by his contemporaries, Muller went on to work for renowned watchmaker Patek Philippe but continued to make his own unique pieces, including a tourbillon in 1983, and a tourbillon with jumping hours in 1986.
The natural progression for all this watchmaking excellence was Muller's eponymous company, which he established in 1992.
Since then the company has branched out into jewellery, while still maintaining true to its watchmaking roots.
The hard work is paying off and many celebrities are now proud Franck Muller watch owners, including Demi Moore, Robin Williams and Elton John.
Since 1993 the company has found fame for its world premieres. Each year Franck Muller offers collectors the opportunity to own a timepiece with a never-before-seen feature.
Past world premieres have offered unique split second chronographs and minute repeaters.
This clever marketing ploy ensures that enthusiasts and collectors keep returning each year for the latest pieces, confident that they will become classic collectibles in the future.
We can't wait to see what Franck Muller produces over the next few years.
- Click here to view our watches for sale
- Learn how you can get pleasure and profit by investing in fine timepieces
- Read all the latest Watches & Jewellery news
Join our readers in over 200 countries around the world - sign up for your free weekly Collectibles Newsletter today
