There are very few brands that are bold enough to try and reinterpret how we tell the time, however Frack Dubarry did just that with the Crazy Wheel.
The Crazy Wheel has been around for a few years now; released as part of the brand’s luxury sports watch range, the Crazy Wheel takes traditional method of reading time and flips it on it’s head.
Minutes are still displayed as a traditional watch would, however the hours are read on a secondary satellite sub-dial, which moves around the dial with the minute hand.
Made in collaboration with About Timepieces, this new limited edition release of the Franck Dubarry Crazy Wheel is a new reference (CW-04-07), however the concept is still the same as when the first Crazy Wheel reference was released – Franck Dubarry explains:
The Crazy Wheel is ideal for people who appreciate opulence and character. Those who are looking for something cutting edge and timeless. Iconoclasts, free thinkers and avant-garde timepiece lovers are welcome to enjoy this hyperactive timepiece.
Franck Dubarry Crazy Wheel Red Wheel
Face & case
Housed in the familiar faceted 43mm wide x 50mm high, grade 5 titanium case with black PVD Coating, the bezel and crown guards are made of forged carbon, both of which are fixed in place with small black hex screws.
Inside the really deep rehaut, where the chapter ring can usually be found, there are minute numerals marked in white for each 5 minutes from 05 to 60. Moving inwards, the dial is made up of multiple layers; mainly in black, but with white markings and some pops of silver and of course the red crazy wheel which indicates the hour. The date wheel is part open-worked on both left and right hand sides, with a small magnifier at 3 o’clock which indicates the current date.
A 360° rotating module (developed with master watchmaker Dominique Renaud) is the star of the show.  In the centre of the dial there are a multitude of gears and wheels visible, which guide the minute hand around the dial; the red hour crazy wheel effectively hovers above it, as it moves around the dial. The seconds hand floats above it all. Â
The design of the hands have been inspired by aeronautics, while all of their tips decorated with Luminova allowing ease for both day and night reading of time.Â
A single straight lug at top and bottom, where each strap connects to the case, has been specially designed to curve downwards for an ergonomic feel.
The crown is quite small and nestled between two angled forged carbon guards. In black, with 8 ridges for grip and the Franck Dubarry logo stamped onto the end of the crown; there is a red accent ring, which matches the red crazy wheel.
The crown is not screw down, however the water resistance of the piece is actually still 10ATM/100m.
Turn the watch over and the case back is solid PVD coated titanium, with various engravings, including the brand’s name, Limited Edition, the reference number and limited edition number, as well as the brand’s logo being prominent in the centre.
Franck Dubarry Crazy Wheel Red Wheel Case Back
Movement
The FD01 Swiss automatic movement has been manufactured in house by Franck Dubarry SA and with the help of master watchmaker Dominique Renaud.Â
It features a 360° rotating flying bridge, with satellite hours, minutes, sweep seconds hand and date indicator.  A mechanical differential on the hour dial, allows the sub counter to remain horizontal at all times.
Beating at 28,800 vibrations/hour and featuring 33 jewels, owners should expect around 42 hours power reserve..
Franck Dubarry Crazy Wheel Red Wheel Side & Crown
Strap
The strap is an interesting one, as it uses Franck Dubarry’s own proprietary Elastogator® strap, which is black natural rubber with a matt black 3D printed alligator section inlayed into the rubber and stitched. It is very unique and looks like a matt black alligator strap at first glance.Â
The wrist side is rubber and has a continuous print of the FD logo on it.
It is secured to the wrist by with a black folding titanium deployment buckle. Rather than just a flat buckle, it appears to be on multiple levels, with both the Brand’s logo embossed at the centre and Franck Dubarry engraved across it.
Franck Dubarry Crazy Wheel Red Wheel Strap & Buckle
Other stuff
For those that aren’t already acquainted with the name Franck Dubarry, he was the proprietor and founder of TechnoMarine. Franck initially launched the model in 1997 and after many successful years, he decided to move on. Subsequently, Franck has developed other totally different brands and in 2015, determined to launch a luxury watch company with his own namesake, the Franck Dubarry brand was created.Â
When he initially came up with the idea of the Crazy Wheel, Franck Dubarry knew it would be a technical challenge to accomplish. He turned to Dominique Renaud, who seemed a perfect fit; after successful horological achievements with brands such as Audemars Piguet, HYT and Richard Mille (amongst others), his experience would be key to making it happen. Â
Franck Dubarry Crazy Wheel Red Wheel On the Wrist
Our verdict
I am a big fan of independent brands that look at things from a different perspective and the Franck Dubarry Crazy Wheel is a perfect example of success and is actually a watch I would add to my own collection for casual use.
On first glance, it doesn’t really look much, other than a black watch with red bits on it, however, stopping to actually look closely, you will see and appreciate more and more detail, not only in the dial, where the movement constantly changes it’s position and therefor, shape, but the quality of finish in all areas, as well as the case and use of perfectly cut carbon. I also almost immediately noticed the amount of anti reflective coating that must have been used on the crystal is almost unbelievable – there is barely any glare and it can be read at any angle.
Reading time is actually simpler than it looks/sounds; as the sub dial is actually connected to the minute hand and therefor less distance for eyes to travel.
On the wrist, the Crazy Wheel really does feel great. At about 110 grams, it’s fairly lightweight thanks to the titanium and carbon and although quite a large case, the short lugs follow the contour of my wrist perfectly. It is not really overly deep at 13.35mm, however I do expect cuffs to be sticky, as the angles on the piece are quite sharp. I doubt that would really bother me though, as it’s one to show off.
I am not usually a fan of rubber straps, mainly due to build up of sweat on the skin underneath, however I think that the embossed print on the underside, seems to somehow reduce this and it has actually not been comfortable for me and as a diving watch it makes sense that the strap is rubber. The deployment buckle has an exceptionally smooth action too.
Franck Dubarry is not overly well known for limiting production of specific references, however only 5 of this particular reference will be made available to purchase. Available for 7,950 GBP, excluding UK VAT if applicable, each piece is made to order and delivery time is in the region of 4 – 8 weeks.
Go Crazy and join the eccentric timepiece revolution.
https://www.franckdubarry.com/
 Available to purchase from us while stocks last – BUY NOWÂ
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