Horological Meandering

I was fortunately able to attend the launch party at FPJ Boutique in Tokyo, thanks to a good friend of mine who has invitation. As the World Premier of Optimum, there were so many people at the event. Note that FPJ is the brand which is kinda cultish here...  

This is absolutely wonderful. Finally, the official release of Chronometre Optimum. Well worth the long wait. Bravo!

Then, it was well worth staying up so late :-) Ken

great report. You catched the ambience, the people, the watches and you provided some serious content. What more can we ask for? Did you like the watch on your wrist? Is it wearable for "smaller" wrists? Is it affordable for those with not that deep pocke... 

The size is 40mm and 42mm only. Not 38 and 40 as the past ones. 40mm maybe okay... Well, the price point - didn't get the exact number, but PT is around JPY7-8mm area, which is more or less USD100K? Yes, we would need a deep pocket. And lastly, among the ... 

Thanks for the report! From the animation, it looks like that escapement is some sort of lever/detent hybrid. It has the direct impulse of the detent, but uses two wheels maybe to get rid of the spring and the possibility of running away if it gets hit at... 

.. but doesn't necessarily mean that we are both right :-) Ken

boy have I been waiting for this and after a string of pieces that did not excite me this really captures my imagination. Much appreciated! Best Andreas

So thank you very much for kind words. Ken

Was not optimum? ;) Best, Nicolas

Dam you are a riot!:) Mo

... you can understand however you want..... :-) Ken

... when you can do them complicatedly?! The Chronometer Souveraine (CS) was designed to be a simple time only chronometer. The twin barrels provided excellent torque, the movement architecture was pretty to look at, particularly in rose gold, and all the... 

As I mentioned in a post to bluenotte that was deleted, I appreciate the effort and the technical prowess of mr Journe, But the watch falls very short on expectation from the design point of view. The layout is quite ugly(especially the power reserve) and... 

Well, each of his own. I hear you. I just wish it were a bit smaller, personally... Ken

No my friend, it was just moved to the right forum. You can still find it in the HoMe Forum :-) Cheers, Oliver

just saw it a minute ago...:) I thought it violated an embargo or something..... Cheers Mo

With all this novelties........:)You ll never know

After all, if they publically show a watch, then why putting it under embargo? This is total non sense, and Journe is not the only one, here, to have to re think that. They can't complain if someone is posting something he saw in an event, IF it is a publ... 

Blunotte thread below.....It was in AHCI before and couldn t see it nomore....hence I thought.... But I agree with you,how many times embargoes were violated?Almost all the time... Mo

... for about 10 hours until the Tokyo launch was over. And then reinstated the post on the correct (HoMe) Forum. Here was my previous request on the issue: But I recognize there were images available on the Internet for several weeks, and mixed informat... 

No worries , I fully support the Purists policy about embargo. Let the others run mad to be the first to publish, keep the Purists etiquette and class alive! Mo

Hi Mo, The text on Journe dials is polarising, I know. It is interesting because mostly I prefer 'clean' dials, but in the case of Journe watches it works for me. The aesthetic is consistent, the writing just 'frames' the dial and on the wrist I don't not... 

This is really the best Journe for several years. It has something hypnotizing on the dial. Mouvement is wonderful too with the unusual anti-clockwise second hand. I hope to see it in the metal in this final version soon. Thanks a lot for the comprehensiv... 

... and then, please take the better pics and better explanation? I thought I understood, but not sure about all aspect... Thanks, Fx!

I will have a chance to see it in the flesh in two days' time in Hong Kong, but am still trying to understand the new mechanism. With regard to lubrication, would it be fair to compare the watch to the silicium escapement made by Jaeger Lecoultre? What do... 

... no lubrication necessary.... He would not like to have this compared with anything, I guess. Not sure if silicium is used in this escapement anchor, but it is worth asking him directly. He will be happy to answer such questions. He was, last Friday. P... 

Thanks for the coverage Best, Horo

I just feel that I should have left earlier and started writing this.... :-) Ken

Finally: an 'in the metal' view. Your efforts to be there, and to bring us a speedy report, are very much appreciated. As for the watch? Movement: tick. "Complications": tick. Size: tick. Aesthetic: tick (even with the alphabet soup on the dial - if you'r... 

I was not the one who was invited, but the invitation was for two and a good watch friend of mine asked me whether I want to go..... and I was told I must :-) Ken

Impressive event Ken! The Tokyo boutique is supposedly the first boutique outside of Switzerland in the world, from what I hear. It could even be the first boutique worldwide altogether. But indeed, Journe is - as you put it - a cult item in Japan. I don'... 

.. is really hard to understand. The theory, I understand and it is always "will it work as the theory says?" That is what happened to M. Breguet on his invention - Natural Escapement. I would be happier if I saw some actual data of the performance to be ... 

Dear Ken, It was great to have seen you at the event! And thanks for this flash report! Best Stephen

It was great seeing you there. It's been a while. Do promise to give me a buzz next time, okay? Ken

I do wish i had more time here, but sigh it's always busy busy busy :( You take care now, along with everybody! Tschuss Stephen

I can't wait to see it! Best, CaliforniaJed

Enjoy when you see it and him! Ken

Otherwise we wouldn't see such a great thread! Ken, thank you for the excellent coverage! You took us right there! It's a really interesting watch, and I do agree it is one of Mr Journe's most interesting watch of recent times... as for the price point, w... 

I am grateful and glad that I went :-) Ken

Would love to know the long term reliability of this new escapement once the watch is delivered. - SJX

... felt like I was there. Thanks, Ken. Great information and great photos. What an incredible movement... I was starting to wonder why the second hand on the back of the piece goes counter-clockwise... and then it occurred to me - it's driven by the seco... 

Glad to see him/them back, love some of his/their creations. The Tourbillon Souverain is still on the top of my dream watches, LOVE it. Thanks for sharing, Vte :)

I feel always lucky as some brands start its tour from Tokyo :-)

Thanks for reading! Ken

wonderful creation from FPJ, excellent animated illustration and most of all, great report from you, Ken!

I do what I can do :-) Ken

... Thanks for the excellent report, was a good read, your report makes us like attending there too. Stefan

I am glad you feel that way! Ken

... for this wonderful and perfectly balanced coverage. Your photos really carried the ambience of the Tokyo Boutique launch, the guests and the Chronometer Optimum. You will of course not be surprised that I am very excited about a new F.P.Journe and I w... 

... again, should have left earlier and started writing :-) You are welcome! Ken

Ken -- Thanks for this marvelous report! I particularly envy the last fellow on the list, with his special Resonance on one wrist and Mille RN tourb on the other. Very tasty indeed! And, I like the new watch quite a bit. As much as FPJ has missed the mark... 

... I, too, feel this is most appealing among his recent offerings. Personally, I would like to see how it really works in the long run in real world, but an interesting offering. Ken

... because unlike many companies that show watches at Basel or SIHH and don't release them for sale until the following year, Journe usually start to deliver within a couple of months of the launches to customers. At least that has been the history of pr... 

Thank you! There must be many FPJ fans who will buy instantly everywhere! Ken

After all these years, I finally, finally find a watch I want to wear, all the time, unequivacally. This is the most beautiful wristwatch I have ever seen, and even as a watchmaker, that's saying something. I want this bad. REAL bad. I would gladly sell m... 

... sort of passion. It is wonderful when any watch motivates you like this. And in my experience F.P.Journe watches can really get under your skin. Ownership is the only remedy. The watches have the right mix of style, engineering, design and presence. H... 

But thanks to your photo spread and commentary, we now know we did not waste our time. I love the escapement. Jealous of the Sushi and Champagne too. Look forward to the NYC Boutique roll-out