F.P. Journe

zmxu
225

• Show profile
• Show other posts

Similar experience but different feeling

Let me share my story with you all.

I purchased a Centigraphe back to early Januray this year and it made me one of the first group of proud owners of this unique timepiece. But, I sent it back to AD the next day due to some unusual problems I discovered from my "test-drive". According to the AD, those problems were so unusual that no one had seen them before. So it seemed to be a serious challenge to Mr. Journe. Well, almost two months later, the watch returned to my wrist. Obviously, Mr. Journe solved those problems.

But I kept trying. This time I turned the chrono function on and let it continue to run so as to measure how long the watch could run with the chrono function on and whether it would affect the accuracy. I tried twice and both results disappointed me so I sent the watch back to the AD again. Yesterday I was told by the AD that the watch was still on the desk of Mr. Journe, and hopefully the watch can come back to me within the next few weeks.

So how do I feel about it?

First of all, I dont feel upset. Most grand complication watches are fragile. If you dont seriously play with it, you will not know how easily this kind of micro mechnical monster can go wrong. Unfortunately, most watch collectors tend to keep rather than play so some problems remain uncovered until a few years later. So we should be well prepared to have problems with grand complication watches, especially those equipped with "revelutionary" movements such as Centigraphe or  Duometer a Chronographe.

Secondly, I feel quite fun. Invention or innovation is always a process. Watch masters initiate ideas and take the lead to turn the ideas into products by putting a few hundred non-standard parts together. But they will never know how reliable their ideas can be and what sort of side-effects will emerge until users tell them. Unfortunately, a lot of prototypes come to an untimely end as watchmakers fail to continue the improvement process. But I am confident that FPJ will continue to improve the movement of Centigraphe and it becomes a joy for being part of the invention process.

Just my humble opinion. By the way, I miss my toy so I really hope Mr. Journe will not take his summer vacation until he ships the watch back to me.

Zhiming