What does a streetwear label and an elite watch brand have in common?
They both know how to have a good time!
Franck Muller has another collaboration going with Tokyo streetwear brand #FR2 and introduced a new beach collection.
And, seeing how the famous Fifty Fathoms has such a following, Blancpain has released a new everyday wear edition for the everyday man (and woman).
Here are the insider’s details.
Franck Muller’s playful vibe
Following their blockbuster collaboration in 2023, Franck Muller and #FR2 have returned with a new selection: the #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard Beach Limited Edition.
The model melds #FR2’s playful irreverence with the sporty, vibrant design of the Vanguard Beach collection.
Tokyo-based #FR2 is a beloved iconoclast among streetwear aficionados.
The label first partnered with Franck Muller two years ago to create the #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard.
The limited-edition watch paired #FR2’s signature graphic with an edgy, fashion-forward design, and became an instant hit among streetwear fans.
This year’s follow-up from Franck Muller and #FR2 still features the clothing brand’s motif of two rabbits.
But in lieu of a monochromatic palette, the new #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard Beach Limited Edition is decked out in vivid hues to evoke the carefree spirit of sun-soaked days and sea breeze – a throwback to the 2023 Franck Muller Vanguard Beach collection.
Available in three colours derived from the original Vanguard Beach line − Heatwave Red, Surf Blue and Tropical Green − there are just 300 pieces of each.
To create these deeply saturated cases, glass is first melted at 1,500°C and drawn into extremely fine threads, before being cooled and formed into sheets at 700°c.
These sheets are then impregnated in special colour baths to attain the desired hues, before being compressed into fibreglass composite blocks.
The iconic rabbits are the anchoring elements on these watches, naturally, and variously can be found lounging under a beach umbrella, out on the water on a surfboard or nestled among lush vegetation.
The date window has been cleverly positioned at 2 o’clock, both as a subtle callback to #FR2 and to double as the blazing sun shining overhead.
For added dimension and night time visibility, the rabbits motif and skeletonised obelisk hands are applied with Super-LumiNova, giving the dial a luminous glow in the dark.
On the technical front, the #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard Beach Limited Edition collection offers Franck Muller’s familiar mix of technical sophistication with eminent wearability.
The tonneau-shaped Vanguard case has been rendered in glass fibre-composite, for a bold presence in a light yet robust package suitable for everyday wear.
Each case, in turn, comes fitted with a striking nylon strap with leather underside, featuring a hook-and-loop closure for convenience and sand-free cleanups.
The straps are printed with various details – bold text that harks back to archetypal Japanese streetwear aesthetics, as well as a unique graphic that extends the watch dial’s visual motif.
Powering each watch is Franck Muller’s self-winding MVT 2536-SCDT2H movement, a workhorse calibre that offers fuss-free convenience.
“Franck Muller and #FR2 are both unapologetic and daring in their respective industries, and they embody the same audacity and non-conformist attitude that make them such kindred spirits,” says Franck Muller Southeast Asia and Australia CEO Sharon Lim.
“These shared values have given rise to a partnership that has made waves across both the streetwear and luxury watch industries, beginning with 2023’s #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard.
“We are pleased to follow up on its success with the new #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard Beach, which explores a different set of possibilities when street fashion meets haute horlogerie,” Lim adds.
As a regional exclusive, the new #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard Beach Limited Edition is available across Asia-Pacific.
Fifty Fathoms gets street cred
Blancpain’s latest chapter writes a new narrative as the tool watch goes lifestyle.
The 45mm Fifty Fathoms Tech 5029 debuts in the permanent collection with a new interchangeable strap system, given a lifestyle-driven twist to the iconic diver’s instrument.
While firmly rooted in the Maison’s professional diving heritage and unmatched legacy in professional diving watches, the new Fifty Fathoms Tech 5029 emerges as a thoroughly modern expression of Blancpain’s most famous collection, blending technicity with a stylish new direction.
Originally conceived as a serious tool watch and diving instrument, Fifty Fathoms has long been the choice of professional divers, explorers and underwater photographers.
The Tech variant, housed in Grade 23 brushed titanium, embodies that legacy with a bold 45mm case diameter, helium escape valve and unidirectional 120-click ceramic bezel optimised for use with gloved hands.
Its absolute black dial absorbs up to 97% of light – an impressive feat ensuring maximum legibility in murky depths or low-light conditions, while creating a striking contrast with the luminescent block-shaped appliques.
In a significant update for 2025, the Fifty Fathoms Tech introduces a fully interchangeable strap system, allowing wearers to switch styles in seconds without any tools.
Additionally, the straps come in multiple lengths, a crucial detail for divers who may wear the watch over a wetsuit, or for everyday wear on bare wrist.
Colour, too, is making waves. Beyond classic black rubber, Blancpain is releasing two new summer-ready hues: a crisp white and a vibrant orange.
The latter isn’t just an aesthetic flourish, it matches the Tech’s orange central seconds hand and TECH inscription on the dial, proving that even the most seriousdiving instruments can embrace personality and fun.
Of course, the Fifty Fathoms Tech 5029 retains its mechanical credentials.
Powering the watch is the automatic calibre 1315A, a 4 Hz movement widely respected among collectors for its robust 120-hour power reserve, precision timekeeping and beautifully finished architecture.
The sapphire case-back offers a view of the movement’s decorations, underscoring Blancpain’s dedication to haute horlogerie even in the Maison’s most utilitarian creations.
The Fifty Fathoms Tech 5029 bridges worlds: in the water and on dry land.
It’s a pure diver’s tool, reborn as a polyvalent companion for any occasion – from exploring coral reefs to strolling through a cityscape or making a style statement far above sea level.
