F.P. Journe Tourbillon vs. Calendrier Decision

Craig LA shares a deeply personal account of his journey to acquire an F.P. Journe Tourbillon, a watch he considered his ultimate grail for over a year. His candid reflection on ultimately choosing his F.P. Journe Calendrier over the Tourbillon offers valuable insights into the emotional and subjective nature of watch collecting. This post explores the nuanced decision-making process when a long-held grail doesn't meet expectations in person.

Over a year ago, I first saw a F.P. Journe Tourbillon in the metal.  It instantly became my absolute grail watch . . . a mythical dream.  Ever since, I have loved and admired the watch from afar, hoping that one day I might own one myself.  Earlier this week, a F.P. Journe Tourbillon became available to me (platinum, grey dial) and, for a variety of reasons, I decided that now was the time to pull the trigger.  I intended to trade in my F.P. Journe Calendrier for the Tourbillon (plus a few other watches and some cash).

Having agreed on the deal points, I drove over to pick-up my new watch Wednesday afternoon.  I had a smile on my face from ear to ear, like a child heading to Disneyland.  I was wearing my FPJ Calendrier for what I believed to be the last time.  However, when the FPJ Tourbillon was placed in front of me, I hesitated.  Notwithstanding my profound admiration of the watch for over a year, it wasn't moving me to the extent that I had hoped and expected.  Don't get me wrong . . . the FPJ Tourbilon is an amazing watch and it most certainly moved me . . . just not with the monumental force I had expected.  This was a huge decision and I did not want to make a mistake.  I studied the tourbillon every which way.  I studied my Calendrier.  I put the tourbilon on one wrist and the Calendrier on my other wrist.  I contemplated the decision for over an hour. 

In the end, I came to the realization that, even though the Tourbillon is indisputably a greater engineering achievement and a more significant piece, I prefer the Calendrier.  The Calendrier is an incredible watch.  It blends the artistry of classical horology with modern design and innovation . . . simple and timeless, yet inspired and intriguing.  As I sat there staring at both watches, the Calendrier continued to captivate me, whereas the intrigue of the Tourbillon slowly faded away.  It speaks volumes that I have owned the Calendrier for almost a year and it continues to have such a deep impact on me.  It appeared that the Tourbillon would not have such an enduring impact.  I also began to question my prior admiration of the tourbillon complication itself.  I have always loved the hypnotizing operation of tourbillons.  However, as I intently studied the watch for a sustained period of time, the tourbillon itself began to take on somewhat of a gimmicky, novelty character.  The tourbillon was definitely fun to watch but, for me, it distracted from the overall presentation of the watch.  For lack of a better adjective, it seemed kind of gimmicky . . . an amusing parlor trick of sorts.  I also found the dial too cluttered at the center, and there was too much writing on the dial.

Based on the foregoing, I stepped back and passed on my dream/grail watch.  I decided I would rather have my inferior Calendrier.  I climbed back down the mountain empty handed.  I still love and admire several tourbillons (Greubel Forsey and Richard Mille in particular) but, for now, I am going tourbillon-less.

I'm sure the foregoing sounds rather trivial to most, but it was significant for me.  Now that my grail is no longer my grail, and I have no other current grail to aspire to, I guess I will settle back into enjoying my existing collection.

Thanks for listening to my rambling,

Craig