F.P. Journe

 

   

 

I think my votes were with the median and mode.

I love the Dead Seconds Tourbillon. In general, I wouldn't say I'm a huge fan of tourbillons, which is arguably the most commercialized grand complication in the wristwatch industry. The Dead Seconds Tourbillon is the only tourbillon watch that I've truly truly loved.

But personally, I think one of the best tourbillon wristwatch right now is the Montblanc Villeret Tourbillon. It's a very strange design, but I think it is actually very logical. A recent post on PuristSPro convinced me that tourbillons have to be large and have a large moment of intertia to be effective. I further did some more research and I have also convinced myself that perhaps tourbillon watches are very meaningful on "slower beat" watches such as the 18,000 vph beat. Just a thought that needs to be further researched.

As much as I like the Sonnerie and I love the idea behind it, I still truly love the Dead Seconds Tourbillon. Once again, I've never felt this quite this way about a tourbillon before.

My favorite F.P. Journe watch of all-time (so far) is the Dead Seconds Tourbillon Ruthenium. Lovely.

I agree that a dead seconds with ruthenium dial would be my favorite watch too....but I dont think they ever made a dead seconds with the ruthenium dial.

My favorite watch all time of Journe is the Original Remontoir. Hands down, best value in all of watchmaking. Original to the nth, first wristwatch with remontoir, tourbillon, truly envelope pushing design for 1999 when it was launched. So mysterious and sexy and thought-provoking. Even to this day, I reach for it more than any other watch in my collection. It just speaks volumes.

Brad - my friend, one only needs the following Journe watches in their collection

1. Original Remontoir with Ruthenium Dial (or YG dial - probably YG dial if I had #2.)
2. Resonance Ruthenium with Plat Bracelet
3. Sonnerie Souveraine

While all the others are nice and wonderful in their own right - the above three truly speak volumes to me.

Ok - as a 4th, I'd throw in the original PT/YG Octa RDM or Octa Lune (but if I kept #1 with YG dial, this piece might be moot also).
5th - a CS - but if I had an Observatorie or other time only independent (Simplicity, Series 2 et al)- I'd leave it off.



I have owned many many Journe watches - no where near what some others here have, but from my experience - the Tourbillon is incredible and I have seen teh Resonance with PT bracelet and think its a true man's watch - combining all the finest aspects of horology, chronometry and bling which make me smile. Sadly, I never owned the Resonance with a bracelet. I can't wind the Resonance with ease so I bought and sold it three times over. I have made a pact to admire from a far.

Just some rambling before bed....

Its time for that GS. Someone here needs to get one - or at least post a video of theirs.

Lastly - you gave zero love for the minute repeater - why? Do you not like it? Have any respect for it?

I wish it came to market sooner - I have bought too many other independent pieces to even remotely consider this watch now, but when it was announced in Geneva - it was my tippy top wish want desire watch. The dial is so well balanced. The fact that all the arabic numerals are EQUAL in size makes it the quintessential Journe watch of the new collection.

So, If I was the son of a billionaire, I'd get that to add to the three (or 5 pieces) mentioned above .

be well! Fun post!

asg

You are absolutely correct! The Ruthenium tourbillon doesn't have a dead seconds... And I was completely confused; I meant to say my favorite watch is actually the Tokyo Limited Edition Tourbillon (if I remember correctly, this one is dead seconds). I also love the Remontoir as well.

Thank you for reminding me!

I do indeed love and respect F.P. Journe's minute repeater. However, since it has not debuted and is not an officially available product yet, I did not mention it. I have held the prototype, chimed the watch, and also fallen in love with the watch. As soon as it is available, it will likely become one of my favorites. The prototype I heard still had some work to be done, I hope it will be finished soon.

But I would be more then happy to own a Platinum Chronometre Souverain.

Would I have chosen a Sonnerie Souveraine? Quite possibly.

My favourite ltd edition is the Black Label range, I think that the colour combinations on the Platinum range is stunning. 

I think the following -

1. the price puts people off from selecting the Sonnerie - Who wouldn't want that Journe if it was relatively affordable (in perspective people You all know you want it - its the best design of the "old" style screw dials, its the coolest complication and its so sweet sounding and in SS - yes, you want to say it, its perfect.) (I have my BP vest on and I'm digging a trench as I type).
2. Most people choose the dead seconds to the original tourb because of pure availability in the market.
3. Same goes for the Ruthenium collection - but the inverse - its the only limited series not in current production - ok, the BMOP pieces as well, but werent those for a single specific Asian dealer? People choose what is MOST limited as their favorite. hence, Limited.
4. the Black Label isnt really a limited collection - I think we can all agree these are just "Boutique Only" but are all readily available (in both primary and secondary markets - many pieces offered on the CM here) and still in regular production so I'd toss it out. Its just a dial option to me.
5. The new Journes - are people buying them? The Octa automatic, automatic lune etc? Not much love for those watches, at least from what I see in the wild and on the forums. CS is really the only "new" Journe which has made any significant impact.
6. People like manual winding watches who visit this site (yay!)
7. The fact no one picked the Octa RDM as their one watch to own demonstrates that we are all screwed up in the head.
8. Anyone who voted for the Resonance never tried to wear it for a month straight winding it every day and setting the time to new timezones and keep missing the time they want!!!!!!!!
9. Are the 40mm cases really "better"?
10. Journe has really created an amazing portfolio of movement and options for its collectors and admirers. I think, while he and team do get recognized often for their achievements, they really have done something which has never been done before. When you think about it, has any man and/or brand been as successful in 10+ short years ever? Its truly remarkable what they have done and I for one congratulate them.

and almost everyday. It is so functional and good looking and I like it being an automatic. I don't have time in the morning to wind my watches !  But I do love the Tourbillons, all versions

Craig

Hi, I would have like to get the minute repeater but I noticed that it is not in your selection.

What I liked about FPJ MR is the slender case and the fact that the dial is simple with full FPJ DNA.

However, I have not heard much about this MR since it was made known by FPJ. 

Any updated news on this?  Thanks

/W72

.. for the tourbillon dead seconds as well... in this poll that is...

In reality, I voted for the RdM with my very own wallet. I own one in PT. It is an amazing watch and I have to say it is by far the most accurate of all my mechanical watches.

But the poll is about if you can only have ONE Journe which one would it be, and assuming money is not an issue. Then for that I'll pick the tourbillon dead seconds, as it is such a masterpiece. Sonnerie will come a close second though, and I barely voted no switching if Sonnie is included. The truth is in my mind, it's 50.5% No, and 49.5% Yes.

regarding an FP Journe piece as a watch? Or are you all technophiles looking for the latest thrill in gadgetry? To me a watch is a watch is a watch. And as a watch it has to display

-        the time in an accurate manner – what is obviously valid for all FP Journes and in itself the greatest achievement. And although being surrounded by all these beeping devices, atomic clock synchronized computers (even the time display in my car is radio frequency controlled) for me there is no better moment than having a look at my FPJ when the radio time signals the full hour. And then there is a big smile, standing for deepest satisfaction with my choice.

-        the date, preferably month included (a perpetual calendar being the highest of my wishes). Everything else isn't a must, like day of the week, leap year indication, moon phase, time equation etc.

For the ease of use a self-winding movement would be fine, next comes the power reserve indication. That’s it. Of course, more complications are welcome but not a must. So, I’ll end up with Zodiaque, Calendrier and Octa Divine.

Now aesthetics comes into play. All FPJ watches are more or less masterpieces in this sense - the arched glass, the rounded cases, the perfect arrangement off all the indications in order to achieve minimum height. Comparing the dials I can’t decide between the Zodiac as the more classical one and the Calendrier as a successful combination of innovative and classical elements. So, I’m going to wear them depending on my mood. Right now it looks like I’m in a more reminiscent disposition so the Zodiac is my current favourite (that probably has to do with all the celebrations of the 20^th anniversary of the Berlin wall coming down – what opened my way into your world).

From a purely aesthetics view I’d probably choose the Centigraphe with its perfect harmony of the dial. Simply perfect. But it’s more of a man’s toy than a watch, isn’t it? The last time I had used a stop watch was me running the 100m for my A-levels – 26 years ago.

Having said all that and having read all your comments, I’m surprised what a broad spectrum of customer wishes FPJ seems to cover! To me my favourite FPJ watches are fantastic pieces of craftsmanship AND art.

I chose the RDM, because I just think its classic Journe, and I would take mine in Rose gold black dial.

First of all, I generally prefer the older Journes to the newer.  The 38mm case is better proportioned, IMHO and the older ones have a certain whimsical, antique-ish quality that is just slightly missing in the newer pieces.

I owned a Remontoir Tourbillon and a Resonance, both in the older PT/YG combo.  I originally sold my Resonance so that I could buy the Tourbillon, and I regretted it from the first moment.  The Resonance is so uniquely Journe and possesses one of the most beautiful movements in all of the industry.  Conversely, while the Tourbillon is a very nice watch, it just did not possess the same spirit and intrigue for me.  To this day I do not miss the Tourbillon at all, but will almost definitely own a Resonance again.

My .02,
Steve

For me, it is the most beautiful Journe. The MP complication is perfect in this context.

Thanks for the poll Brad !

Fr.Xavier

...the watch which took the single available vote was the original remontoir. Why? The dial is a little less crowded than the dial of the DS, the tourbillon cage is a little more 'raw', the window to the remontoir is almost frivolous. SteveH seems to have found the key when he noted (above):

"IMHO... the older ones have a certain whimsical, antique-ish quality that is just slightly missing in the newer pieces".

But that is where the vote goes for the watches on offer in the poll. The FPJ watch which really screams "find me! find me!" - and which has that whimsical, antique-ish quality by the bucket-load - is this one:

 

[Photo: Ian Skellern?]

 

Just look at the sheer 'functionality' of it. An FPJ with Romans? Breguet hands? A PR needle twice the length of the minute hand? 

Please: if you have it, post it.  If you ever want to part with it, you know who to contact first!

 

Cheers,

pplater.

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[photo: head dot exblog dot jp]

 

Cheers,

pplater

 

I'm one of the 11% who would've chosen the CS as my one Journe if given the choice!  To me, it's perfect simplicity with a touch of whimsy (eccentricly sized numerals and dial layout).    Fun poll, Brad!

Cheers,

Daos