Franck Muller Long Island Ref. 1200 CH
This watch is famous for the hour hand jumping from one hour marker to the next in one single wild and swift motion (Jump Hour)
Franck Muller Unique Crazy Hours in 18K White Gold. Long Island series.
Automatic Movement, Silver Guilloche Dial Exploding Oversized Arabic Numerals
Size: 32mm x 45mm, Sapphire Crystal, Water Resistant etc.
Automatic movement, (likely a Calibre FM 2800 with platinum rotor, Special dial train module for seemingly arbitrary jump hour display = ETA 2892-A2 based)
Price of genuine is $15,000 or more
First my replica:
MiniReview:
Genuine on left side of black line and replica on the right side:
Conclusions:
1. The genuine and replica are strickingly similar at first glance
2. Sizes of case length and width etc are similar
3. Quality and the curvature in the middle of the case is more impressive on the genuine
4. The crown on replica is inferior
5. The strap buckle on replica is inferior (I have removed this from my replica)
6. Caseback differ slightly from the genuine (some replicas differ much more greatly than mine)
7. Price on replica is much better (Typically price was well below 200 USD in 2006)
8. This particular genuine version is no longer produced and it seems the current genuine Crazy Hour sold is also a crazy colour at the same time
9. The movement works in the same way as on the now discontinued genuine version (Automatic movement with Jump Hour)
10. Sometimes different versions of hour and minute hands are used on the genuine
11. Genuine has been made in many variations and colours
12. The movements differ quite a bit but obviously ther is no display back on this watch so is visible only when opened
All in all I am very pleased with this replica and I guess no one is Crazy enough to buy the genuine version
Useful links to different versions of the genuine :
http://market.watchprosite.com/?show=collection.detail&id=89531&brandview=Franck+Muller&mod=&series=+Long*+Long+Island+CRAZY+HOUR+WG+%281200%29&p=Franck+Muller+Long*
http://www.essential-watches.com/Franck-Muller-1200CH-Mens-Crazy-Hours-Long-Island-White-Gold-on-Strap-with-Silver-Dial-17877-13-w.aspx
http://cgi.ebay.com/Franck-Muller-Long-Island-Crazy-Hours-18K-Gold-Watch-/270748383848?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item3f09dc7a68&clk_rvr_id=233558653142&x=35&y=5
http://timefreak.blogspot.com/2009/01/crazy-enough-for-crazy-hour.html
http://www.passions.com.sg/v2/watch/franck-muller-long-island-crazy-hours-18kpg
The Crazy Hours concept is based on a random order of hours on the dial and a flyback jumping hand for the hours. The minutes work normally and the hours are not that random as it would seem. A special lever and wheel is responsible for releasing and stopping the hour hand by exactly 5 hour marks.
Movements:
The movements differ quite a bit but obviously ther is no display back on this watch so is visible only when opened
Automatic movement in GENUINE is a Calibre FM 2800 with platinum rotor, Special dial train module for seemingly arbitrary jump hour display = ETA 2892-A2 based.
Movement in Replica is a rather ordinary Asian but well functioning movement