Franck Muller creates a special tribute to Lord Ram for India

Franck Muller Genève, the Swiss watchmaker known as the Master of Complications, has unveiled a timepiece created especially for the Indian market: the Vanguard “Ram Lalla” Limited Edition, in partnership with Kapoor Watch Co. A tribute to Lord Ram in his childhood form, worshipped as the presiding deity of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the creation brings together the brand’s distinctive watchmaking language and an important cultural and spiritual reference. Limited to 108 individually numbered pieces worldwide, the watch draws on a number that holds particular significance in Hindu tradition.

The timepiece was unveiled at the Franck Muller boutique in Delhi in the presence of contemporary sitarist, composer and music producer Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, who attended as the special guest, alongside Erol Baliyan, CEO, Franck Muller Middle East, Africa and India, and Raunaq Kapoor and Pratiek Kapoor, Directors, Kapoor Watch Co.

The Vanguard “Ram Lalla” reflects Franck Muller’s approach to combining unconventional design with traditional watchmaking expertise. At its centre is an intricate dial appliqué depicting Lord Ram, brought to life through detailed relief engraving, laser work and meticulous finishing. The composition gives the dial a three-dimensional quality, while retaining the bold, sculptural character that defines the Vanguard collection.

The case is another defining feature of the creation. Crafted from a solid block of 18-carat rose gold, it measures 41mm in width and 49.95mm in length and features the collection’s distinctive dual-curved construction. Curved along both its length and width, the case creates an enveloping, sculpted profile, with the curvature extending seamlessly to the dial and its appliqué. The result is a silhouette that balances the collection’s contemporary character with an elegant, flowing form.

Considerable attention has been devoted to the dial's execution. The depiction of Lord Ram is achieved through detailed laser processing, with each dial requiring approximately 30 hours of work. The numerals are individually hand-applied and hand-painted by skilled artisans, adding further depth and dimension. The appliqué itself brings together intricate craftsmanship, precise electroplating and painstaking finishing, underlining the level of detail invested in each piece.

The design extends to the strap, which has been developed to follow the Vanguard's distinctive curved silhouette. Combining rubber with grape-based vegan leather, it is integrated directly into the case using two concealed screws rather than conventional spring bars. Carefully finished edge stitching ensures a seamless transition between the case and strap, while two side inserts, colour-matched to the strap, create a cohesive visual finish. Each strap takes approximately 15 minutes to produce.

Powered by a Swiss automatic mechanical movement, the Vanguard “Ram Lalla” Limited Edition represents an intersection of Swiss watchmaking and Indian cultural heritage. Through its choice of materials, intricate dial work and sculptural construction, Franck Muller has created a timepiece that interprets a deeply rooted spiritual symbol through the distinctive design vocabulary of the Vanguard collection. With just 108 examples available worldwide, it is conceived as a limited expression of the brand's engagement with the Indian market.