Description

Originally designed in 2001, this time-only watch was finally released in 2012.

To achieve the goal of providing the best chronometry, F.-P. Journe combined the use of several innovative mechanisms. First, the use of a parallel dual-barrel system allows a smoother and more stable force delivery.
Then, the constant-force remontoire made in titanium helps to balance the driving force being pushed by the barrels, a mechanism that was also implemented in the Tourbillon Souverain. Finally, a patented dual-wheel escapement named EBHP (for “high-performance bi-axial escapement”), a direct-impulse escapement without lubrication to ensure stability. Thus, the watch is able to achieve constant amplitude for the first 45 hrs of power reserve.

Besides the technical aspect, the in-house Calibre 1510 is finished to the highest standards : Geneva stripes, polished heads with chamfered slots, circular graining on the baseplate, and bevelled bridges. The plate and bridges are made of 18k gold.
Even though it can go up to 70 hours, the ideal range of operation for the power reserve lies during the first 45 hours, which explains why the indicator on the dial stops just above 40. On top of the beautiful manually-wound movement, the sapphire crystal caseback allows the user to admire the natural dead-beat seconds counter.

In typical FPJ fashion, the main sub-dial on the right features a silver guilloché dial with a Clous de Paris pattern. The small seconds subdial at 9 o’clock features snailing. The power reserve indicator at 7 o’clock is diametrically opposed by an aperture showcasing the constant-force remontoire at work. As in many other FPJ watches, the hands are in blue steel while the numerals and markings are hand-applied in ivory.

F.P. Journe – Bio

François-Paul Journe was born in Marseille in 1959. An unruly child, he was sent to a local technical college at the age of 14. He went on to graduate from the Paris watchmaking school in 1976.
In 1982, after five years of work, he finished his tourbillon – and it work !
He founded the F.P. Journe company in 1999, have ever since stunned the world year after year with the visually distinctive and technically innovative watches
The motto of the brand, Invenit et Fecit (Latin for “[He] invented it and made it”) denotes that the company builds the entirety of the watches. Journe often designs brand new movements, even inventing completely new systems, like the famous resonance chronometer.