Franc Vila FVF 1 Tourbillon Superligero

Born in Valencia and based in Switzerland for decades, Franc Vila is a fascinating character in the history of modern independent watchmaking. He operated an eponymous brand in the mid-2000s, focused mostly on the aesthetics popular during that period – big in size, high complications, extravagant in design, and modern in its use of materials like carbon fiber. That company ran for roughly a decade, slowing down significantly in the first half of the 2010s. Franc returned in 2018 with a much more personal, small-production business – FVF (Franc Vila Founded). He learned the rules of watchmaking over 20+ years in the industry, and returned to refine them as an artist with FVF. 

In 2018, the first chapter of Vila’s new brand opens with the FVF 1 Tourbillon Superligero. Conceived as a synthesis of modern engineering, advanced materials, and uncompromising horological craft, this inaugural piece represents the purest distillation of Vila’s philosophy: great timepieces are more than mechanisms, they are true works of art, designed to evoke wonder and inspire emotion.

At its core, the Superligero is defined by its singular pursuit of lightness without compromise. True to its name, every element has been scrutinized for efficiency, weight reduction, and resilience. Vila’s signature “Unibody” case is crafted from lightweight titanium alloy and carbon composite, achieving a structural strength-to-weight ratio rare in haute horlogerie. Here, both the case and the mainplate are integrated into a single structure. This addresses one of the core challenges in skeletonized timepieces, that the structural integrity of individual skeletonized components can degrade and lead to a general lack of robustness. Sculptural and functional, it’s a truly avant-garde design. 

The entirely new FVF 1 caliber is developed specifically for this timepiece. At its heart lies the flying tourbillon, a complication historically celebrated for its precision, and how easily it captivates the eye. Here, Vila elevates the tradition with a minimalist cage constructed of ultra-light alloys, reducing inertia and maximizing efficiency. The tourbillon is suspended in an openworked architecture, giving the impression that the complication floats at 6 o’clock. With roller day and day/night indicators, both positioned beneath 12 o’clock on the integrated chapter ring, this caliber features an impressive 100-hour power reserve.

The movement itself is hand-finished to the highest standards, with painstaking attention to detail. Surfaces are micro-sandblasted, beveled, and polished to create a play of textures that reveal themselves differently depending on the light. Beneath the ultra-modern aesthetic lies traditional craft: every angle, every finish, every adjustment executed by hand, a reminder that the finest in watchmaking remains rooted in the tradition’s history. An impressively executed timepiece, the FVF 1 Tourbillon Superligero is an extremely rare indie to own and see in the wild.