Aluminum on the Wrist

The master watchmaker from Geneva makes his very first watch in aluminum and auctions it for a good cause.


WORLDTEMPUS - 16 May 2010

Elizabeth Doerr


F.P. Journe premieres a version of his Centigraphe sports chronograph in aluminum. This represents the very first Journe timepiece in the light metal and the first Centigraphe that is not encased in precious metal.

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This aluminum Centigraphe will kick off Journe's brand new Sport Line collection slated to launch later this year and will debut at Christie's Hong Kong watch auction on May 30 in the name of charity. The proceeds and buyer's premium from this auction lot will be donated to the relief efforts of the recent earthquake and tsunami victims of Japan. The donation ceremony will be held at the Swiss embassy in Tokyo on June 3, 2011.

“This collaboration is a unique event in the world of horology and watch auctions where two leaders – F.P. Journe in watchmaking and Christie's in the auction arena – come together and work for a good cause,” said Aurel Bacs, the auction house's international head of watches. “It is with immense pleasure that our personal friendship and mutual esteem for each other's work have united us for this meaningful venture. We hope collectors worldwide will feel the same passion as we did when preparing for this charity auction and we hope they will enthusiastically support this worthy cause.”

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Good and light

F.P. Journe is launching the brand's first high horology, manually wound chronograph entirely in aluminum: this includes the case, bracelet and the bridges and plates of the movement, which are usually crafted in 18-karat gold. It goes without saying that Journe also perfected the processing involved in making the aluminum scratch-resistant and lending it anti-corrosive and anti-allergic properties The Sport Line, inspired by one of Journe's biggest collectors, is astoundingly light, conceived as it was specifically for sports activity. This watch weighs a total of only 55 grams.


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