Watchmaker Franck Muller Uses SolidWorks to Update a Centuries-old Craft

The Swiss watchmaker, Franck Muller, has established its reputation as a “watchmaking genius” by creating some of the world’s most complicated and sought-after timepieces. The company continues to elevate the state-of-the-art in watchmaking by designing each new model with increasing levels of complexity. For example, its Aeternitas Mega 4 Grande Sonnerie Westminster Carillon watch was the most complex wristwatch ever designed when it was created in 2009. It packs 1,483 individual elements, 205 sub-assemblies and 36 “complications,” or added features, into a space small enough to fit on a customer’s wrist.

As the level of complexity in each design increases, so does the watchmaker’s need to adopt a design platform that will allow it to combine 21^st century engineering with classical features. “Once the size of the watch is defined, the challenge is to figure out a way to design the various mechanisms to fit and function within the case,” Franck Muller R&D Engineer Jean Golay said. “This challenge becomes increasingly difficult when developing complicated movement. SolidWorks software not only allows us to visualize individual components but also to simulate the motion of components and mechanisms, so we can avoid interference errors.”

Learn more about how SolidWorks solutions allowed Franck Muller to reduce design errors and cut development costs in today’s press release.

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Kristen Wilson

Senior Manager Brand Offer Marketing, SolidWorks at Dassault Systemes

As the Senior Director of Communications, 3DEXPERIENCE Works, Kristen drives marketing strategy and oversees the team responsible for developing and executing multi-touch marketing plans across the Buyer's Journey, including 3DEXPERIENCE World.