F.P. Journe

Timeout
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Hi Christian.

So we started with a 126500LN - this one.






This was the first speed bump. I had paid the deposit and awaited delivery of the Daytona from my AD but in the meantime the model changed from the 116500 to 126500. One of the changes related to the lug design. The 126500 has symmetrical lugs whereas the 116500 has asymmetrical lugs - narrower on the crown side which changed the angle at which the lugs approach the pushers.









If you look closely you can see that the crown side lugs on the 116500 are narrower than the other side. AdG has not removed the crown protector on a 126500 previously- mine was the first. They were concerned that the angle at which the lugs approached the pushers would create an issue but I signed off and took the risk since I really wanted a homage to the 6263 which meant no crown guards.




I had already settled on a custom grey tone Bakelite bezel insert with the original chronograph scaling as I wanted a monochromatic look to the overall piece. Also, the Millerighe screw down pushers are faithful to the original as well as the ROC (Rolex Oyster Cosmograph) dial.














They went ahead and machined off the crown guards and everything started coming together.


I had asked for a highly skeletonized movement and wanted to retain the automatic movement. They had done some really nice skeletonized movements with and X insert but I asked if they could do an A for me.





They set to work on this and eventually settled on a modularized approach whereby they can now offer any letter of the alphabet as an insert. Interestingly the piece they recently completed for Andre Agassi uses the same A - but I got there first 😉





The initial dial color was too gold for my liking - I wanted a more pink hue - so they completed another 4 options from which to o choose which added a couple of months to the project. I was in no rush as I have plenty of other watches in my rotation and wanted this to be perfect for me.






We settled in this dial.





I particularly like the tremblage finish on the clasp on what would otherwise be a scratch magnet.




Together with the fully brushed case and bracelet this is a much more practical approach.







Rendering to final comparisons








They also made me a beautiful grey nubuck strap with a rubber lining and a vintage Rolex pin buckle.








As I said, this could have been completed more quickly but I have no complaints - I wanted perfection and figured this hobby of ours is more a marathon than a sprint!