A Brand's Story : Furlan Marri by Extropian

Who is Furlan Marri?

A brand created by passion which is a good beginning for all things. Furlan Marri is not a finance exercise but a friendship one. Born and based in Geneve, the ‘maison’ mission is to tell stories through attractive time pieces. Both co-founders have a different background and when you merge design with artistry, a beautiful product always emerge. 

Why Furlan Marri?

Since they came into the watch scene, Furlan Marri has establish themselves as an important player in the microbrand space. The attention to detail on the watches is unheard-of at their price point. This also is translated to the reliability and construction of their pieces, as they use well known and tested movements keeping the price down and of course, watches ticking for years to come.

How do they work?

Furlan Marri has always tried a different approach. Their collections or stories are divided by mechanical and mecaquartz, there is always something for everyone. An elegant 3 hand sector dial has now become their flagship model together with their traditional mechanical quartz chronograph their more known offer. Their technical line is the place where Furlan Marri decides to offer high end pieces such as the Secular perpetual calendar, impressive technical marvels.

What are the key design elements?

Furlan Marri is a brand that is inspired by vintage watches, but not just any vintage watch, they really focus on high end watchmaking from the past. We can find a vast amount of design cues from Vacheron Constantin and of course the case inspired by the work from legendary casemaker François Borgel. The dials have warm tones while the steel cases feel cold and sharp, roman numerals and long elegant hands can also be found on their designs. The watches feel like a time capsule, a pristine vintage watch with a modern heart. 

Who are they for?

Furlan Marri is a watch brand that is accessible to all of us. Their offerings are in line with people who really appreciate vintage watches but do not want the hassle to own one nor the prices that the market is commanding at the moment. That said, the watches are also seek by important collectors who are focus on having something always beautiful on the wrist. The amount of attention that Furlan Marri has got in the past, made them worthy of a GPHG award with their MR. GREY REF. 1041-A. 

Latest releases?

Furlan Marri is going to surprise us again with a design that blends futurism with vintage cues, and including probably one of the best names in the industry: The Disco Volante. Originated by the art deco movement, the Disco Volante or flyer saucer is a lugless design that started in the 30’s. it is elegant, sleek and very ‘avant guarde’ looking. The watch is a statement to art and ultimate design.

The design:

The Disco Volante keeps the traditional design as it should but expand the sizing at 38mm for a more modern feel. The lack of lugs makes the watch to look centred on the wrist and the 2 step case with the ‘’hidden’’ crown makes the watch a perfect circle. The two-tone sector dial feels uncluttered and easy to read despite all the information the separate tracks. Contrary to vintage vibes, the Disco Volante includes superluminova to enhance the futuristic look. The subdial at six o clock makes the watch look as symmetrical as possible. 

The movement

The Disco Volante is a lucky watch because It contains the manually wound Pesseux 7001 which has been hand finished in Geneva, diamond and black polished. The Pesseux 7001 feels somehow the perfect choice, as it could be called a period correct movement. This 2.5mm thick movement has been used in many well-known watches in the industry since 1971, this choice somehow doesn’t feel as a coincidence.

Variants

The Disco Volante comes in 3 variants. The Havanna Disco which plays with Furlan Marri’s previous salmon dial designs. The contrast with black, makes this version the most elegant of the three. The Disco Celeste is offered in a sharp white with marine blue, is the modern everyday choice, refreshing and summery. And last, the Disco Verde, featuring green mixed with cream colours on the dial, somehow this one is the one that feels more vintage, more nostalgic.

Conclusions

The disco Volante is one of the best offers from Furlan Marri yet, not only because they are showing us that their inspiration is well translated into beautiful object but now including an extra level with hand finishing. The attention to detail offered by the brand is still very high and the prices are remaining very similar. Furlan Marri is not moving up market, it has always been there.