Contradictory rumours surround Franck Muller

What is going on within the Franck Muller Watchland group ?
Rumour has it that the associates Franck Muller and Vartan Sirmakes, who are at the origin of one of the greatest success stories of Swiss watchmaking during the past ten years, are facing a profound crisis.
Franck Muller is noted to be absent from the Manufacture's premises since several weeks. Supposedly, he wishes to part from Vartan Sirmakes; however, each associate holds 50% of the business, with a priority buyout of the other's shares. Also, Franck Muller is said to have sent a payment order amounting to more than 70 million Swiss Francs to Vartan Sirmakes.
The situation seems to be at a standstill, at a time when the Group publishes outstanding results (read our recent News on the subject).
Furthermore, the recently retired watchmaker Roger Dubuis may have been hired by Franck Muller Watchland, but the watch manufacture Roger Dubuis SA, which is controlled by Carlos Dias, refutes the information. For the time being, the situation is totally confused and details are expected to follow.

Europa Star
September 2003