Nicholas Rudaz answers five burning questions when he was in Kuala Lumpur for the grand opening of the Franck Muller regional flagship boutique
Measuring more than 1,800sf, the Franck Muller boutique in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur is its largest in Asia. Like its magnificently audacious timepieces, the boutique exterior is vibrant with holographic projections of its latest timepieces, while the interior is sleek with capsule-like display cases. A hidden champagne door in a discreet corner accesses a private bar with walls of reflective gold. Decadent yet surprisingly cosy, it reflects the brand's penchant for bold designs, precious materials, and a singular approach to luxury.
Nicholas Rudaz, the CEO of Franck Muller, was recently in town to celebrate the grand opening of the boutique together with Sharon Lim, who heads Franck Muller in Southeast Asia. The boutique is managed by Sincere Fine Watches, its retail partner in the region.
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Tatler GMT sat down for a quick chat with Rudaz before the event. During our conversation, he revealed he almost ended up living in Malaysia. “When I was 12, my mother was going to get remarried to someone who was moving to Kuala Lumpur. They bought a house here, and I even remembered the address: 11, Pantai Hill. I was even enrolled in an international school. I was very excited about the move but in the end, the marriage never happened,” Rudaz recounted.
Why did Franck Muller decide to have its largest boutique in Asia in Kuala Lumpur?
The location was right and the time was right to have this new fantastic boutique. We're in one of the best malls in Southeast Asia. Malaysia has always been an important market for Franck Muller. I think Malaysians appreciate the brand, its complications, its designs, and its crazy colours.
How does the boutique reflect the brand's philosophy?
The design is elegant and we used only the finest materials, just like in our watches. The space is perfect for shining a light on our beautiful watches.
See also: 4 limited-edition watches created for the new SHH boutique in Kuala Lumpur