If minimalism distills the essence of style to the bare necessity, Franck Muller’s CX Piano Lacquer collection is a perfect expression of this school of design. Presented with a dial crafted in black lacquer and devoid of the usual numerals and markers, the CX Piano Lacquer’s dial is free of distraction and offers an austere esthetic that focuses on purity of form. Each jet-black dial is crafted by applying twenty coats of translucent lacquer over a rich matte black base to achieve the dial’s deep mirror finish.

 Variations on the theme range from a fully blacked-out and brooding edition-noir, to rich two-tone contrasts in 18kt white, yellow, and rose gold with matching hands and inner bezels. While the CX Piano develops an almost understated expression of opulence, adding a solid gold case adorned with row after row of shimmering diamonds ups the ante – perfectly glamorous for your next Black-Tie event.

Sized to fit comfortably on smaller arms, the 33mm wide case is also slim at just over 9 mm and curves gently around the wrist held in place by a fine satin strap. Ticking away inside is a fully decorated and finely regulated automatic winding movement.