Franck Muller Perfumes Double Mystery (Beverly Bayne)~New Fragrance Review + Scented Horology Draw

To say that Swiss Horologist Franck Muller makes expensive watches is akin to saying that Seabiscuit was merely a racehorse. Franck Muller watches are wearable extraordinary art pieces; colorful, bejeweled, and unlike anything else on the market both technically and aesthetically. When it came time to add fine perfume to their retail line, the Muller Company turned to Mr. Stephen Gray formerly of Clive Christian Perfumes to lead the project. The result is a range of five eau de parfums, each based on an existing Franck Muller timepiece.

“The intricacies of watch making match the art of creating a fragrance. Perfumery creativity is about precision, balance and using the best quality materials available to produce exquisite fragrances.”-Beverly Bayne, Perfumer (CPL Aromas)

Franck Muller Perfumes Double Mystery flacon courtesy of Franck Muller Perfumes ©

 My favorite in the range is Franck Muller Perfumes Double Mystery; a riff on the classic rose, citrus, and patchouli combination but with hidden notes that reveal themselves languidly, and therein lies the mystery. Double Mystery is inspired by the watch of the same name, a watch that has no hands, replacing them with markers or precious gems which effectively act to conceal time from anyone who doesn’t know what to look for. Franck Muller Perfumes are presented in a gorgeous gold accented bottle whose shape is inspired by the classic Franck Muller Vanguard watch case. Like some Muller watches, the bottle is a see-through style with classic Muller shaped numerals floating in the background, and a bottle top resembling a classic watch-winding stem and cap.

Linder Sterling x Tim Walker©

Like the watch that hides time, Franck Muller Perfumes Double Mystery hides a beautiful melange of tuberose, Muguet, and Iris at it’s heart, revealing them slowly throughout the wearing. As a slow motion flower opens to full bloom in a nature documentary, those intense florals surprise and delight. Opening with a juicy and bright bergamot, the classic rose/geranium combination very quickly makes itself known. This is a slightly jammy rose, both bitter and sweet, and backed by the citrus makes for a really beautiful classic scent that could stop right there and go no further and still leave the wearer happy. Soon enough the mystery within Franck Muller Perfumes Double Mystery solves itself as the unexpected and sexy, tropical notes of the tuberose and the innocent, and dare I say virginal and pretty Muguet show up.

It's Just Like A Picture - Guinevere Van Seenus Linder Sterling Collage - March 2010 - Vogue Italia (Tim Walker©)

That’s the moment in time when Franck Muller Perfumes Double Mystery becomes something “more”, pulling ahead of the pack of other rose-centric fragrances. The florals last through the drydown when the base notes of patchouli, smooth as silk sandalwood and myrrh create a dusky velvet bower on which to rest. Wearing Double Mystery is to me an extremely satisfying fragrant experience, full of olfactive twists and turns, and I found myself sighing with pleasure and like any great mystery, wishing it would never end.

Notes: Bergamot, rose, geranium, neroli, cinnamon, jasmine sambac, tuberose, nutmeg, muguet, citrus fusion, orris fusion, cedarwood, labdanum, musk, saffron, moss, vanilla, sandalwood, myrrh, orris, patchouli, incense fusion.

Disclosure: Thank you so much to Franck Muller Perfumes for supplying my sample. The opinions are my own.

-Robert Herrmann, Senior Editor

-Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

Note: Franck Muller Perfumes are available at Jovoy Paris,Jovoy Paris Mayfair and other select stockists

Thanks to Franck Muller Perfumes, we have one for one 75 ml flacon of Double Mystery for one registered reader residing in the USA, EU or Canada  so be sure to register if you have not done so. To be eligible please let us know what appeals to you about Robert’s review of Franck Muller Perfumes Double Mystery, and where you live. Draw closes on  5/22/2018.

We announce the winners only on our website and on so like Cafleurebon and use our Site feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

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30 comments

  • Gail says:

    Nice! Thank you, Robert, for the background on these new fragrances and your great review. The bottle looks fabulous too! I was so into watches years ago and Frank Muller was one of my most coveted brands. No Frank Muller watch but maybe a Perfume someday…

  • newyork318 says:

    Robert’s description of Double Mystery’s changing character makes me very curious about it. I am also appreciative of how the bottle has been crafted to reflect Franck Muller’s designs. New York.

  • fazalcheema says:

    This is a surprise because I know about Franck Muller and could not expect them to join the fragrance sector. Double Mystey seems like it will be liked by many due to notes such as rose, citrus, and patchouli that are quite popular. I am in US.

  • INYA says:

    All of the notes sound wonderful, especially incense and myrrh. It would be fun to “unwind” wearing this fragrance. Love the review, as this is a new brand to me. I’m in the US.

  • Lori Laws says:

    Robert, this was a really great article and I was speaking with a friend just yesterday and we discussed Franck Muller’s watches! Such a coincidence. Double Mystery sounds like a beauty and all of the notes sound amazing. I want to see how the notes play together. “The florals last through the drydown when the base notes of patchouli, smooth as silk sandalwood and myrrh create a dusky velvet bower on which to rest” has me quite curious. I may never own a Franck Muller watch in my lifetime, but his fragrances may be within reach. I live in the US and thanks for the opportunity! 🙂

  • DespinaVnt says:

    I loved the beautiful description of the slow and complicated evolution of the fragrance, thank you!
    I live in EU (France).

  • Rae Lynn says:

    Such gorgeous art in this review! I love beautiful watches. The bottle is a delight in and of itself! Robert’s phrase”full of olfactive twists and turns”, is a wonderful word play evoking a watch. I live in the US and would love to win a bottle of Double Mystery.

  • Just Add Light says:

    The name itself is enigmatic. I’ve never heard of a watch with no hands! But the development of Double Mystery through a long line of florals, spices and woods is what intrigues me the most. So glad it was a satisfying experience for Robert! Seldom are we met with such synchronous circumstances that lend our senses to the joys of unadulterated enjoyment. It must truly be a gem. Canada/NC.

  • Alen says:

    I’ve never tried anything from this house but i like the name “double mystery” and the bottle, also the notes are on my taste. Robert reviews are always a pleasure to read. Thanks for the draw, i live in the EU.

  • mark says:

    no wonder the name, Franck Muller, sounded so familiar. i did not know he has a fragrance line too. if the scent is anything like his amazing watch designs, we’re in for quite a treat! the notes almost sound like this scent can pull off a unisex vibe. interesting…U.S.A.

  • kaitracid says:

    It’s the first time I hear about this house. The watch is inspired on is really something and I am sure the perfume is too, after the way it’s described. A beautiful rose with citruses, tuberose and muguet followed by patchoulli, sandalwood and myrrh sounds like a winning combination!
    Thanks, I live in Europe.

  • Timea says:

    This perfume sounds so wonderfully from the base of this great review. I would very like to try it. And the bottle is so lovely also! Thank you very much for this amazing giveaway! I live in Europe.

  • James2473 says:

    Great review, Robert. I had never heard of Franck Muller watches until I read your article. They sound very interesting. I love how unique and creative Double Mystery sounds. Will definitely have to try it out! I’m located in the United States, and thanks for the draw!

  • George Lellis says:

    I am located in the United States, and I* liked the way Robert described the unfolding of the different notes, tying the description into the theme of Double Mystery.

  • audesko1 says:

    Great review! I want to sigh with pleasure too! Thank you for the chance to try Double Mystery. I live in the US.

  • doveskylark says:

    From jammy to dusky–I love fragrances that change as we wear them. I love the combination of notes listed here. The bottle is a work of art.
    i live in the USA.

  • Scentedwow1 says:

    Thank you,Robert, for such a detailed and vivid review so that one can imagine all the development and play of the notes of the perfume as it reveals its numerous facets.
    I love fragrances that intrigue and keep surprising through the opening and development.
    I’m in Switzerland.

  • Teresa says:

    I love a perfume that tells me a story and this, with its ‘olfactive twists and turns’ sounds beautiful. I love the bottle as well. Thank you for the chance…I am in the US.

  • jeremyn87 says:

    The description reminds me a bit of Stella, except more multifaceted with additional flowers and resins. Sounds like an interesting fragrance.
    I love the bottle too.
    I’m in the US

  • Leah says:

    I’m in Los Angeles, CA. Fabulous review and I especially love the description of the drydown!

  • Dosva says:

    Thank you Robert for this great review!!!
    As I understand from review this new perfume has well known rose/geranum- patchouli combination, but as said here “full of olfactive twists and turns”.
    I hope this perfume are suitable for man too.
    US

  • Hasib says:

    Thanks Robert for the review. First time hearing of this House and Perfume. Pretty cool watch and nice looking bottle. The fragrance seems interesting as well. I like how it’s full of Olfactive twists and turns.
    Thanks for the giveaway. California

  • yukon1 says:

    Thanks for great review Rob and generous giveaway!!

    Really enjoyed review of a house that frankly I haven’t heard of…Robert wrote his fragrant experience was full of olfactive twists and turns made me smile I love a fragrance that takes me on a ride,and the plethora of notes in this creation many I love white flowers,myrrh and orris and orris fusion which Sounds intriguing but what sold me was the Muller Company turning to Mr. Stephen Gray formerly of Clive Christian Perfumes to lead the project, I think we might have the makings of a winner with double mystery ! .

    Im in Canada please add me to this generous draw and thanks for draw and giveaway

  • roxhas1cat says:

    The notes here sound amazing. I love a fragrance that has a lot of twists. I like to keep smelling my wrist and find that it has changed. So it seems like the perfect mystery for me. I am not familiar with this line of timepieces, the one in the picture is super cool. I like how the timepiece design carries over to the bottle and labeling. Nice!! Thanks for the draw!! US.

  • Karolis says:

    Amazing and mysterious article by Robert, really intriguing as the fragrance itself. Honestly have not tried anything from Franck Muller, but introduction in the review is amazing and thrilling, Double Mystery’s description reminds me of Smooth Criminal.

    From Europe, Lithuania.

  • Mujo says:

    “Full of olfactive twists and turns”sounds alluring. Haven’t tried anything from Franck Muller yet, but reading this review triggered my curiosity. Thank you Franck Muller and Cafleurebon for another wonderful opportunity. I’m in EU.

  • Rusty says:

    I had never heard of the perfume but had the company
    Franck mueller. Where can I find on USA

  • NiceVULady says:

    This sounds like a complicated and nuanced fragrance. Wonderful review which really gives one the feeling of the unfolding of the notes. Sounds like something I would really enjoy. Thanks Robert for another great review. Thank you for the draw. I’m in the USA

  • Diana D says:

    What a perfect name for this fragrance. So many levels – from florals to spices to earthy, warm notes. It really sounds like a fascinating perfume.
    I live in the US.