F.P. Journe

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FP Journe - When & How did you discover it?

Well, I was just thinking today how I 'accidentally' stumbled upon FP Journe and perhaps this would be a good thread among fellow Journe enthusiasts if you folks could share with us on how and when you first discovered Journe. It doesnt matter whether you own a Journe or not, I just want to hear your experience.=)

For myself, I was a bit late on catching up to FP Journe. I remembered just a few years back, I stumbled upon Journe watches while flipping through various watch magazines. At that time, I was too ignorant then to take a second look or even discover more on the pieces. I remember shrugging them off as 'ugly' watches and strangely enough, I felt the same way not too long ago until something happened that made me changed my mind. The turning point that changed my whole perspective was this very site.

I remembered one night, just a mere one and half years ago, I was getting really frustrated and stressed over my work and decided to browse through this forum - just simply. At that time I was looking into Independent watchmakers mainly Vianney Halter, Dufour, Kari... and was wondering why Journe stood out among the rest and at the same time, I was curious about his manufacture.

So here I was surfing, reading some of the posts made on the watches, the calendrier, the chronographs, the resonance, DS tourbillon, etc. I remembered finding myself so intrigued by FP Journe's passion & drive for horology and I was reading more in depth on his contributions that I never knew about. The resonance theory being incorporated in a wristwatch got me mesmerised. The more I read about them, the more I was yearning to find out more. I was astounded, swept off my feet and really addicted. I couldn't sleep for nights thinking about the resonance. All I could do the next few mornings, was to wake up and read more about the watches and what collectors have to say. I remembered looking at some of the pictures and it almost seemed that all of a sudden, these 'ugly'-looking watches had made a complete turnaround into some of the most  beautiful timepieces I have ever seen.... what an ignorant mind could do to you! I remembered looking at Brad's collection and thinking, what a crazy nutter he was! I was very very impressed and owning just one piece from his collection would make me a very happy man.
So I was determined to see one in person.

I called my good old friend at my AD and she immediately arranged a Reserve de March and a Calendrier for me.
At  that instant, that was it for me. Pictures does NOT do any justice at all. I was sooo wrong before.
In person, the watches were unreal!
Siiting in the AD, I had them on my wrists and would not wish to part them.
I could literally feel my heart pounding away; my sympathetic nervous system went firing away.
What a feeling!
 
Unfortunately, I did not walk away with the Reserve de March nor the Calendrier that day. I wish I could but luck was not on my side that day.
I continued to have sleepless nights thinking about the pieces I have seen - at the same time, I couldn't believe we have a living legend making such remarkable watches at this time. I was thinking to myself, 'I GOT to be part of this history!'

It did not take long before a Ruthenium Chronograph fell unto my lap. I couldn't resist the Resonance, so I took a plunge. My most recent piece was a 38mm CS. I almost got the DS Tourbillon, almost.... so close but I chose to withhold it for now.
I find myself going too fast, too quickly. I decide to slow it down and fully enjoy the current pieces I have.
I believe I am making the right choice right now.

I want to savour the feelings I felt when I first laid my hands on FP Journe. As I reflect the moments acquiring the pieces, I could feel the warmth inside of me knowing that these pieces are work of art. Horological art pieces. The feelings are still here, right now, as I look over to my right, with a beautiful CS on my wrist ticking away with ultimate precision.
It has been a remarkable experience. No other pieces has actually made me feel this way. Absolutely none.

Now, my wish is to travel up to Geneva sometime and hope to catch Monsieur FP Journe himself.
That would be one more dream fulfilled.
That is my story so far.

I somehow felt compelled to share this with you all, and I hope to read your unique experience with Journe, regardless of whether you own none of them or have 10 pieces in yr collection. Do share your experience with us!
Cheers.