Franck Muller wristwatch, ref. 8005, Conquistador Chronograph, circa 2005 — view 1 of 3 — View 1 of 3 · Image: Antiquorum Genève SA · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

View 1 of 3 · Image: Antiquorum Genève SA · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Franck Muller wristwatch, ref. 8005, Conquistador Chronograph, circa 2005

DocumentedDocumented from an auction catalogue; attribution as stated by the auction house.

Maker / attribution: Franck Muller (brand / maker)
Date: c. 2005
Historical period: Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)
Country of origin: Switzerland
Object type: Wristwatch
Materials / technique: stainless steel
Auction house: Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Lot: Lot 359-36
Credit line: Auction lot record: LOT 36, Hong Kong,March 8, 2023
Catalogue title (original): FRANCK MULLER, REF. 8005 CC, CONQUISTADOR CHRONOGRAPH, STEEL (English)

View the source record (auction lot) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva (lot Lot 359-36), this is a wristwatch by Franck Muller, made in Switzerland, dated c. 2005. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: stainless steel. The record is illustrated with 3 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Antiquorum catalogue description

Fine stainless steel, tonneau-shaped and curved, self-winding chronograph wristwatch, silver dial with two registers, Arabic numerals and date at 6. Accompanied by a fitted box and certificate.

Lot specifications (Antiquorum)

Model: Conquistador chronograph; Reference: 8005 CC; Case No.: 1977; Material: stainless steel; Dimensions: 35 x 40 mm. (approx.); Weight: 89,15 gr. (approx.); Signature: Case, dial and movement; Accessories: Original box and Certificate of origin and warranty

Inscriptions & marks

Case, dial and movement

Historical context

Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)

Mechanical watches return as cultural objects; independent watchmaking flourishes.

Mechanical watches returned as cultural and luxury objects. Complications, tourbillons and new materials proliferated; independent watchmakers such as George Daniels, F.P. Journe and Philippe Dufour revived artisanal watchmaking; collecting vintage watches became a major field.

Read the period in the timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: Quartz Revolution

Atlas type guide

Chronographs and split-seconds watches

A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.

Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.

What to look for

Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).

Dating clues

Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
Automatic chronographs: from 1969.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Mechanisms mentioned

Chronograph — Complication
Self-winding (automatic) mechanism — Component

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryRecorded
MaterialsRecorded
DimensionsNot in source
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksRecorded
ProvenanceNot in source
Several photographsRecorded

Editorial status: Documented — facts as published by the source; not independently verified by Atlas editors.

Explore further

Sources & image rights

Record source: Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © Antiquorum Genève SA — permission required (opens another website in a new tab).

Images are hosted by the Atlas for study and credited to their owner. Rights holders may request correction, credit changes or removal, or grant permission, via the editorial office.

Cite this record

"Franck Muller wristwatch, ref. 8005, Conquistador Chronograph, circa 2005." Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva, Lot 359-36. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/franck-muller-wristwatch-ref-8005-conquistador-chronograph-circa-2005-e34d7b.