REPAIRS
Service at Franck Muller Casablanca – Crown replacement and case restoration
Mar
Some watches stand out at first glance. Franck Muller 's Casablanca is one of them. With its distinctive tonneau case, strongly domed crystal, and large calligraphic numerals on the dial, this model is one of the most recognizable designs in contemporary Swiss watchmaking.
Recently, such a watch arrived at The Watchmaker workshop in Thessaloniki for restoration. The work included servicing, replacing the crown, and carefully polishing the case so that the watch could be restored both aesthetically and functionally to the condition it deserves.
The initial state of the clock
This particular Franck Muller Casablanca bore the marks of everyday use. The case showed visible micro-scratches, especially on the curved sides of the tonneau construction, while the crown of the watch had been damaged and could no longer function properly.
The crown is one of the most crucial components of a mechanical watch. It is used to wind the mechanism and set the time and date. When the crown is damaged, the watch's functionality is immediately affected.
In the case of this particular watch, the cause of the damage was not simply cosmetic wear and tear but a more complex technical problem.
Crown, watertightness, and stem corrosion
Over the years, the crown's sealing gaskets had worn out and lost their elasticity. These small rubber gaskets play a very important role: they prevent moisture and dust from entering the interior of the frame.
When the gaskets lose their effectiveness, the tightness at the crown point is significantly reduced. In this case, small amounts of moisture can penetrate the crown tube.
That is exactly what happened with this particular watch.
Moisture caused oxidation on the stem (crown shaft). Over time, corrosion weakened the metal until the stem finally broke. This breakage also destroyed the crown, making it necessary to replace it completely.
In such cases, proper repair includes:
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stem replacement
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crown replacement
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inspection and replacement of gaskets
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complete re-inspection of watertightness
This process ensures that the watch will function correctly and safely again.
Disassembling the clock
The restoration began with the complete dismantling of the clock.
The dial was carefully removed, revealing the automatic movement. Franck Muller uses modified high-quality Swiss movements with special finishes in many of its models.
In this model, the mechanism features a platinum rotor segment, a feature that improves the efficiency of automatic winding.
With the mechanism outside the frame, it was possible to fully inspect the components and safely replace worn parts.
Crown replacement
The damaged crown was removed and replaced with a new genuine Franck Muller crown, which bears the company's distinctive logo.
The process requires particular precision, as the crown must:
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align perfectly with the stem
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fits correctly into the tube of the frame
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ensures smooth operation when winding and setting the time
After installation, a detailed check was carried out to ensure that the crown was functioning properly and was correctly engaged with the mechanism.
Restoration of the frame
One of the most demanding stages of the work was the restoration of the frame.
The distinctive tonneau case of the Casablanca features complex curved surfaces that require special techniques when polishing. The aim is not simply to remove scratches, but to preserve the original lines and geometry of the design.
With careful work and the use of specialized tools, the micro-scratches were removed and the frame regained its deep, mirror-like shine.
Reassembly
After completion of the work, the clock was carefully reassembled.
The distinctive black dial with large numerals was put back in place, the hands were returned to the center of the dial, and the movement was placed in the restored case.
The new crown now fits perfectly into the case and allows smooth operation when winding and setting the time.
The final result
After the work was completed, the Franck Muller Casablanca returned to its original elegance.
The case has regained its pristine shine, the new crown has restored the watch's functionality, and the mechanism continues to run with precision.
At The Watchmaker workshop, every watch is treated as a small mechanical work of art. Proper maintenance and restoration is not only about the watch's functionality, but also about preserving its aesthetics and history.
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