F.P. Journe

If you were to ask me, when did you first fall in love with a FP Journe timepiece?

I would say that it was the day I met Brad aka bs22fly, the FP Journe moderator on watchprosite who is passionate about Journe and in possession of a number of amazing Journe timepieces. Prior to meeting Brad, I had liked Journe's Octa series a lot, more so than the CS range, as I found them to have a distinctive look, identity and flair. Post the meetup with Brad, my favorite Journe watch bar none was the Chronometre Resonance. The one that caught my eye that night though was the lovely Black Mother of Pearl one. This watch is just breath taking. It stood above every other watch I saw at that dinner gathering for me personally, meaning it overshadowed the Tourbillon Souveraines, the Lange Datos, the Vagabondage, the other Octas, the Pateks etc etc etc...
 
I had not thought more about FP Journe time pieces since that day as I believed them to be out of my reach having a tight budget for this expensive hobby of ours and chose to close myself off to learning and knowing more about the man and his creations as I knew that it would drive me crazy and likely to result in a foolish acquisition decision made that would not please the wifey. In Singapore as there is no Journe boutique as yet it is easier to close yourself off to it.

However this week, a for sale ad popped up and as i had liquidated a few in my collection, i had funds available to secure it and after a little hesitation (due to the troubling market) i jumped on it and have had no regrets since. (Note: I did not strike the lottery and there has been no change in my current or projected income flows I would like to introduce you then to the latest addition to my small family...


What has it got going for it? Its an FP Journe should suffice but just to expand a little...

- its got the brass movement with 22k gold rotor. the 18k rose gold movement has no added benefit from a technical perspective as far as i know. the brass movement is no longer made and will be rarer in time. All in less than 2,000 made across all models. some say it has a less refined and more hand finished appeal about it and an understated charm compared to the rose gold movement... but I love both and would take a Journe I like regardless of the movement material. I do find that the RG movement suit the rose gold cases more though.

- its 38mm. somehow a fair number prefer this size stating that its more balanced. whatever the case, i like the way this 38mm sits on my 7ish" wrist. I've got to try more 40mm Journes to see if i have any real preference from one size to another but that may prove to be highly dangerous - the Octa movement invented by Journe means something. Monsieur Journe didn't go out to purchase a mass produced base ebauche, which many others do to shortcut the time to release, for his watches and created this movement that has been a solid base for others in the Octa range.

- its got power reserve indicator, big date and the hours, mins, seconds, clean uncluttered dial... all one really needs

As noted earlier, the Resonance is my favorite of the range, but after the Resonance, the Reserve de Marche is probably my next favored piece. Just from a personal view, I find the simple uncluttered dial of the RdM better and more elegant than most of the other Octas and it being a bit less pricier helps a lot too

Some interesting information gathered in this post from trawling through the forums:

(1) The first 2 digits of the 4 digit movement number are the lignes of the movement and the last 2 digits are for the year the movement was developed, so 1300=13 lignes, developed in 2000.

(2) Movements are either rhodium plated brass (no longer used), ruthenium coated brass (dark grey, ruthenium is from the platinum family and these movements are found in the ruthenium dialed models) or 18k pink gold that are harder than brass and therefore more difficult to work with (from 2004).

(3) Mr Journe likes platinum as a case material. He does not like yellow or white gold for cases, does like steel but has not worked with it so far. So if its a white metal Journe, it will only be in Platinum. The other case materials used are Rose Gold and Titanium(for LEs I believe).

(4) All timepieces leaving FP Journe are tested to be better than COSC and are all deserving of the chronometer label.

(5) Its called Octa because Octa means perpetual in Latin. Automatic was not a term used back in the day and perpetual is therefore an appropriate label for a watch with an auto winding movement, especially if you wear it daily and it has a 5 day power reserve

 (6) The "Black Label" limited production series is available exclusively through F.P. Journe Boutiques (Tokyo, HK, Geneva, Boca Raton). I believe only 12 pieces are manufactured for each boutique per year. The dial is 18K gold galvanized into a deep mat black color.

(7) FPJ time pieces are individually hand made by one watch maker in Montres Journe (Note: i am not sure how accurate this is or if its accurate anymore)...

(8) 'Invenit et Fecit' is a latin term that was inscribed on 18th Century pocket watches made by French horologers, once their movements were recognized as original and recorded by the Royal Academy of Sciences. Journe's movements which are completely original are deserving of this inscription.

(9) FP Journe designs the dial of the watch first and then its movement. No wonder so many look so damn good

(10) He's got a Resonance clock made by one Antide Janvier, who is also admired by another great watchmaker and artist, Vianney Halter. I believe they were friends in their younger days but don't know much about their history together.

and thats all i've got. Hope you enjoyed the post Cheers, Raph

Congratulation on a wonderful Reserve de Marche! The grainy look of the white gold dial is AMAZING. The brass movement is a rarity now; hardly seen these days, you have a prized piece there. I love the RDM. I am contemplating between a RG/RG dial or a Plat/RG dial, both combination which I adore.
I know somewhere in Singapore letting go of the RG/RG version, I am seriously resisting and biting my teeth on this one.

Wonderful post Raph, an excellent and refreshing read. That MOP is brilliant, I am still awaiting the chance to handle it in person. Not sure if that would be a good idea tho.
FP Journe watches are addictive - you already know that.
This watch complements your Vianney Halter 'Classic'.

Enjoy the watch in best of health.

nt.

Great read outstanding post

Thanks a lot

Damian

On your beautiful acquition!

And for the write-up on the brand! I can verify for you that virtually all that you wrote is correct, including the fact that Monsieur Journe loves the material Platinum , just like me^^

Cheers buddy, and wear it always in the best of health!

Stephen

Ralph: Thank you for sharing this personal experience. I really like the candor of your journey, and your piece is excellent. One other note to add: Yes, Brad does have that affect.

I hope you enjoy the RDM in great health.

Best,

Douglas

For a great report and photos.

I would love to see one, but the only AD in the country is 250 miles away in London!

passion. I really liked to read it and to look at your great pictures. Full of emotion.

Congrats & thanks for sharing with us.

Oliver

ps: There is only one AD in my country and it is about 500 km away. Once I called them and wanted to take the train to see some watches. Their stock was not what I was interested in at this time. A few month later I saw some pieces in NY, but all 40mm. Poor/lucky me, they looked all to big on my wrist. I will find mine - one day.

If one day I fall in love with a Journe Watch, I will come back here sayint that it's your fault...LOLOLOLOLOL

Seriously, the Black Label is my stuff, CS or Double Resonnance..

Now, getting one seems to be a complicated game to play, but without difficluty, there is no fun...

Best, and thanks a lot for this wonderful post!

Nicolas

before the replies, just a point to note... for point (7) someone informed me that each watch from Journe is assembled by one watchmaker from parts to casing and hand assembled and not hand made is the right term to use to not confuse matters.  Based on what I know, I believe only Mr Dufour makes parts of his watches by hand and with traditional tools.

Hi Aaron, thanks man. So considering a Octa RDM to compliment the excellent trio in your pics? Yup this one and my Vianney Halter Classic have pride of place in my small collection

Thanks Fernando, Damian.

Stephen buddy, your passion for Journe and platinum must mean you are getting another soon no? haha. Wear yours in the best of health too.

Douglas, you must have had an encounter with Brad huh... toting some powerful Journe mojo thanks.

Hey Topcat, 250 miles huh... worth the trip i say. If you average 125miles per hour in your supercar(making an assumption here ) thats just a 2 hour drive or you could take the train in, its still worth the trip...

Hi Oliver, for me i make up for my lack of purchasing power with passion and look to spread that passion as well. Gosh, a shame you haven't strapped on a 38mm as you would probably be looking down at it on your wrist right now!

Nicolas, I'm following in your footsteps man. Your recent posts on gyroII, duometre etc were killer posts. I would love to be blamed for you getting a Journe haha. I can see a Black Label Resonance on a wrist with some rooftops in the background (or something like dat) Enjoy the hunt and show us the kill when you snag it

thanks all.

Cheers
Raph

Congratulations on a truly special piece and thank you for the kind words. Your photo shots could not be better. Hope you don't mind if I use one as the Masthead for this forum .

of course you can use any pic of mine for the masthead the question i have is when i can see your lovely watches again haha.

cheers
raph

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