The art of reimagining in a timepiece of exceptional craftsmanship.
The Vanguard Sfumato Slim is an exceptional timepiece inspired by the Renaissance and the renowned painting technique. The Italian word Sfumato, meaning “softened”, was famously adopted by masters such as Leonardo da Vinci to create depth and atmosphere through subtle transitions of tone and colour, avoiding harsh lines.
Transitions of tone and colour, gently melting into one another, have long been at the heart of artistic expression. The sfumato technique,made famous by Renaissance masters,relies on the delicate fading of hues, the soft dissolution of form, and the seamless blending of shadows to create an atmosphere that feels alive, breathing, and filled with quiet mystery.
It avoids harsh lines and abrupt contrasts, privileging instead the poetry of subtlety. In the world of painting, sfumato captures emotion not through stark definition, but through nuance. In the world of horology, it opens the door to an entirely new way of experiencing time.
The Vanguard Sfumato Slim brings this timeless artistic method into the realm of haute horlogerie with a sense of purpose and reverence. More than a design choice, it is a philosophical statement: a watch that understands that beauty often lives in transitions, in the moments between light and shadow, between movement and stillness.
Its dial, crafted with exceptional refinement, features gentle gradations of colour that embody the very essence of sfumato. As the tones gradually shift from deep intensity at the edges to luminous softness at the centre, the eye is naturally guided inward, creating a focal point that evokes both concentration and reflection.
Beneath this elegant surface lies the technical soul of the Vanguard Sfumato Slim: an in-house MTV 708 automatic movement, with a power reserve of 40 hours and a thickness of 3.73mm, beats with refined precision. Visible through the transparent sapphire caseback, the movement is a celebration of traditional watchmaking savoir-faire.
In this space, wearing the watch becomes more than a gesture of style, it becomes a meditation on colour, depth, and the quiet poetry of passing hours.
This subtle gradient invites the wearer into a world of serenity. It is not merely a visual effect but an emotional experience, an invitation to pause, to breathe, to contemplate. The interplay of tones creates an atmosphere reminiscent of dawn mist or the fading glow of twilight, moments when time slows and the senses heighten.
Every detail of the Franck Muller Vanguard Sfumato reflects an unwavering dedication to artistry and precision. From the meticulous finishing of each surface to the graceful curves of its case, the watch embodies a harmonious balance between form and function.
The dial is softly polished and sun-brushed, its surface animated by a delicate play of light that reveals a subtle colour gradient gently transitioning from a deeper tone along the outer edge to a brighter, more radiant hue at the centre.
This effect is achieved through a painstaking process in which three layers of colour are individually applied, each layer added with the dial rotated a precise quarter turn to ensure perfect uniformity. The same meticulous treatment extends to the flange, maintaining harmony across every visible surface.
After the final pigments are laid down by hand, the entire dial is coated with a thin, protective veil of lacquer, an application that not only safeguards the finish but also enhances the impression of depth, richness, and visual softness.
Offered in an elegant and thoughtfully curated palette, deep blue, salmon, brown, green, beige, light blue, pink, violet, turquoise, and lilac, the dial undergoes a series of precision preparations. Exact openings are cut to accommodate the markers and flange, and the hour markers along with the subdial graduations above 6 o’clock are expertly applied to ensure both clarity and balance.
The details positioned on the flange are then immaculately transferred, preserving the crisp definition required in fine watchmaking.
Finally, every appliqué and each element of the flange is assembled within the refinement workshop, where artisans bring together the aesthetic and technical components to produce a dial that reflects both exceptional craftsmanship and refined artistic intent.
The watch is presented in the iconic Vanguard case, whose fluid, sculptural lines have long been emblematic of Franck Muller’s distinctive design language.
The collection is offered in luxurious variations of white gold, rose gold, and yellow gold, with the option of diamonds set into the case for those who seek an added dimension of brilliance and opulence. These gem-set versions transform the timepiece into not only an instrument of precision but also a radiant piece of jewellery.
The Sfumato Lady collection by Franck Muller is a delicate fusion of fine watchmaking and artistic expression. Inspired by the Renaissance sfumato technique, the dial reveals soft, seamless color transitions that blend into one another, creating a captivating depth and a gentle, smoky allure.
Each timepiece celebrates modern femininity, refined, radiant, and effortlessly expressive. The sensual curves of Franck Muller’s iconic case frame a dial that feels both contemporary and timeless.
Its vaporous color gradients, shifting gracefully from delicate pastels to deeper, richer tones, imbue the watch with a distinctive artistic presence. Each subtle nuance of hue transforms every glance into a fleeting moment of poetry, where light and shadow dance across the dial, revealing a beauty that is at once ethereal and profoundly captivating.
Behind this delicate beauty lies Swiss precision at its finest, where meticulous craftsmanship meets timeless design. The movement, carefully engineered to accompany everyday elegance, embodies a harmony of reliability and sophistication, upholding the same exceptional standard found in the brand’s most intricate and celebrated creations. Every detail reflects a commitment to perfection, making it as much a masterpiece of engineering as it is a statement of refined taste.
More than a watch, it is a creation that unites artistry with precision engineering, a visual meditation on the nature of time, light, and the human pursuit of beauty. With the Vanguard Sfumato Slim, Franck Muller presents a true work of horological art, one that bridges tradition and modernity, where the echoes of history meet the spirit of innovation in perfect, harmonious balance