Furlan Marri Turns the Past into the Present with the Disco Volante

Disco Volante, meaning flying saucer in Italian, is a term that has been used over the years for various different creations that all seem to fit that mandatory criteria when naming something in Italian: they are stunning. Whether it is the Alfa Romeos that were given this name or the wall-mounted turn table designed by Oscar Olsson, they all have a timeless appeal. The term Disco Volante is even cemented in pop culture, as it was the name of the unusual hydrofoil yacht owned by Spectre head henchman Emilio Largo in the James Bond movie Thunderball.

This all means that calling something Disco Volante is not a decision to be taken lightly, but Furlan Marri did right to pick it for their latest collection. First of all, it suits the shape of the watch, and secondly, it is indeed stunning. That Furlan Marri knows how to design a great-looking watch is nothing new, but even amongst them, the Disco Volante stands out. This starts with the double-stepped case, in which the crown is so neatly integrated. With the lugs tucked underneath, it is pure elegance that also sits very nicely on the wrist. The diameter of 38mm is spot on and offers enough space for a beautiful balance between the smooth case and the more than interesting dial.

Furlan Marri offers the Disco Volante in three colors, all with a two-tone dial. Green is combined with sand (Disco Verde), blue with silver (Disco Celeste), and for the watch we review here, brown with salmon, which Furlan Marri calls the Disco Havana. The dial shows an intricate layering of the two colors, making it both expressive and legible. Different heights on the dial offer a subtle perception of depth, which is aided by the three-hour markers in polished steel at three, nine, and twelve o’clock. The vintage-styled hands complement it all perfectly, and, as they are relatively small, they also make the watch look bigger than it is. A modern twist is given by applying Super-LumiNova to highlight not only the hands but also outline the intricate design of the dial, which gives an appealing effect in the dark.

Pleasing is also the movement that powers this Furlan Marri, as the brand has made this watch more or less an ode to it. Peseux caliber 7001 has a rich history, being used by some of the most esteemed brands in the world including Omega and Blancpain. However, I don’t recall seeing it ever in such a beautiful finish as in this Disco Volante. The finish is up to par with beveled edges and Geneva stripping, but it is the redesigned bridges that give this movement an undeniable timeless sex appeal that would make even Rod Stewart jealous. I don’t think that Furlan Marri could have done a better job with the movement, which is also so fitting to the whole theme of the watch.

They offer the Disco Volante with two straps and an excellent buckle. However, the dial configuration requires extra attention when choosing a strap. While the one provided is of excellent quality, very subtle, and with nice details, I found that the caramel color toned down the dial quite a bit. Furlan Marri also provides the Disco Havana with an additional dark brown strap, which might be a better fit, in my opinion. When owning one, I probably couldn’t resist going the custom route and ordering an old-school, slightly glossy alligator without stitching to match the dial.

You know that a watch is good when the strap is the part that gets criticized the most. Furlan Marri has always been good, but with the Disco Volante, they show that they are, in fact, even better. It is a fitting ode to the past that does justice to its Italian name and will please the contemporary watch enthusiast with every detail. The Disco Volante can be pre-ordered now for delivery in September 2024 and costs CHF 2,500.

For more info, visit Furlan Marri, here