GMT XXL - Summer 2009
François-Paul Journe is celebrating 30 years of innovative watch creations, invented and made by him in his Manufacture in the centre of Geneva. It is there, on a 2000m2 site, that the brand produces the components necessary to make the F.P.Journe precision chronometers in the grand horological tradition.
Within his Manufacture, François-Paul Journe is the master watchmaker and that gives him genuine legitimacy. He is one of the rare professionals in the Swiss watch industry to single-handedly conceive and produce watches of extreme complexity and to simultaneously manage their worldwide distribution. That is one of the reasons that have motivated the brand to open its own distribution network based on a concept of exclusive F.P.Journe Boutiques around the world.
Excellence and chronometry are the essence of an F.P.Journe watch. Every single creation is made only in the most precious metals: platinum or rose gold. F.P.Journe is also the world's only watch manufacturer to produce the movements of its exclusive mechanisms in 18K rose gold, yet another a first in the watch industry.
F.P.Journe has been awarded the greatest watch Prizes around the world, including six awards at the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix, of which three ultimate “Golden Hand” honours for the Tourbillon with deadbeat seconds in 2004, the Sonnerie Souveraine in 2006, and the Centigraphe in 2008. F.P.Journe is also a two-time recipient of the “Watch of the Year” prize in Japan, along with many other accolades including “Best Technical Innovation” 2008 award in China for the Répétition Minute Souveraine.
F.P.Journe is perpetuating the long history of horology by devoting thorough research to this science and unique Art of time measurement.
Innovating endlessly in creating exceptional calibers, a world apart from commonplace and ephemeral contemporary watch curiosities, François-Paul Journe is proud to be one of the last guardians of the fundamental values of Haute Horlogerie, firmly committed to restoring a dimension of authenticity to the history of time.
The brand concept of F.P.Journe Boutiques around the world is enriched by a number of special services and a unique collection of timepieces reserved exclusively for its clients. The F.P.Journe Anniversary timepieces edition was created to honour the clients of the brand's Boutiques with a unique collector's series, as well as to celebrate the anniversaries of the F.P.Journe Boutiques around the world.
The "Tourbillon Souverain" (LEFT) TITANIUM
MOVEMENT:mechanical movement with hand-winding featuring a tourbillion, constantforce device and dead beat seconds
CASE: titanium
DIAMETER: 40 mm
DIAL: ruthenium on gold with red indications and guilloché silver hour circles FUNCTIONS: hours, minutes, tourbillon with deadbeat seconds
CASE-BACK: sapphire crystal STRAP: alligator
ANNIVERSARY EDITION: 2007
QUANTITY: 20 © F.P.Journe
The "Chronomètre Souverain" (RIGHT) TITANIUM
MOVEMENT:mechanical with manual winding, chronometric mysterious balance spring, platinum and bridges in 18K rose gold, double barrel
CASE: titanium
DIAMETER: 40 mm DIAL: ruthenium on gold with red indications
FUNCTIONS: chronometer
CASE-BACK: titanium STRAP: alligator
ANNIVERSARY EDITION: 2005
QUANTITY: 20 © F.P.Journe
The "Chronomètre à Résonance" (BOTTOM) TITANIUM
MOVEMENT: exclusive movement with two balances that enter into sympathy due to the effect of resonance and beating naturally in opposition
CASE: titanium
DIAL: ruthenium on gold with red indications and guilloché silver hour circles DIAMETER: 40 mm
FUNCTIONS: synchronized twin movement that may be also used as two independent time zones
CASE-BACK: sapphire crystal STRAP: alligator
ANNIVERSARY EDITION: 2006
QUANTITY: 12 © F.P.Journe
Launched in 2005, this first Anniversary Edition of 20 pieces introduced an exclusive version of the Chronomètre Souverain, crafted for the first time with a titanium case and a dial in ruthenium-coated silver. The Chronomètre Souverain, which won the Best Men's Watch award at the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix, features a manually wound, 21,600 v/h movement inspired by early 19th-century marine chrono - metry. It is made from 18K rose gold, a distinctive feature of every F.P.Journe watch creation.
To celebrate the second anniversary of the Tokyo Boutique in 2006, F.P.Journe produced a special edition of the Chronomètre à Résonance with a titanium case and ruthenium-coated gold dial in a limited edition of 12 pieces. First unveiled in the year 2000, this innovative chronometer represents one of the most amazing challenges ever in the field of the mechanical watch and offers an unequalled level of precision for a wristwatch. What exactly is the resonance phenomenon? Two frequencies that find themselves in harmony. Each of the two balances alternately serves as exciter and resonator. When the two balances are in motion, they enter into sympathy due to the effect of the resonance and begin naturally beating in opposition. The two balances thus rest against each other, giving more inertia to their movement.
The third F.P.Journe Boutique anniversary was commemorated by a special edition of the Tourbillon Souverain with remontoir d'égalité and deadbeat seconds. This limited edition of 20 pieces, five for each Boutique in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Boca Raton and Geneva, featured the now classical Anniversary titanium case with the ruthenium-coated gold dial. The tourbillon complication improves the general running of a watch but the addition of a constant-force device supplies the tourbillon with the same energy for a full 42 hours. The Tourbillon Souverain also now features a patented deadbeat seconds device, a unique characteristic on a contemporary wristwatch which provides a more accurate read-off of time.
These three Titanium Anniversary editions are no longer available, but clients can find their traditional version in platinum or in 18K rose gold, in all F.P.Journe Boutiques.
F.P.JOURNE BOUTIQUE'S FIFTH ANNIVERSARY SEES THE UNVEILING OF THE OCTA PERPÉTUELLE
The new OCTA Perpétuelle, 2009 Anniversary timekeeper in Titanium celebrates the F.P.Journe Boutiques network around the world with the fifth Anniversary of the first F.P.Journe Boutique in Tokyo. In 2001, F.P.Journe presented the OCTA collection composed of mechanical wristwatches with automatic winding, featuring an exceptional power reserve of 5 days (120 hours), all of them presenting the same case thickness regardless of the complication within.
The OCTA Perpétuelle, the eighth creation of the collection, houses the first automatic winding calibre signed F.P. Journe –Invenit et Fecit and embodying a new feat by incorporating a perpetual calendar within the same space.
Produced exclusively for the Anniversary Limited Edition, the 99 pieces will be divided between the seven F.P.Journe Boutiques in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Boca Raton, Geneva, Paris, as well as the two newcomers scheduled to open this fall in in New York and Beijing (14 pieces only per Boutique). The case of the OCTA Perpétuelle is like that of all Anniversary Timepieces, manufactured in Titanium, with a ruthenium-coated gold dial. The automatic winding movement is manufactured in 18K rose gold, like that of all F.P.Journe – Invenit et Fecit watch creations. It is built on the exclusive OCTA Caliber 1300.3, with perpetual calendar, retrograde date indication, an aperture for the day, another for the month, along with the leap-year indication within the month of February.
The transition between months of 28, 29, 30 and 31 days occurs automatically, including recognition of the leap year (indicated). The safety pusher at 8 o'clock is intended for manual adjustment of the months during the initial setting. This exclusive pusher avoids any possibility of accidental activation, enabling use without any specific tools.
The OCTA Perpétuelle also features the exclusive off-centered F.P.Journe rotor that winds in only one direction with a self-locking ball-bearing system. In this way, even the slightest movement is exploited to the full to ensure optimized winding of the watch.
The Boutique F.P.Journe of Paris
F.P.JOURNE - INVENIT ET FECIT A UNIQUE CONCEPT OF BOUTIQUES AROUND THE WORLD
François-Paul Journe is one of the rare professionals in the Swiss watch industry to single-handedly conceive and manufacture watches of extreme complexity and simultaneously handle their distribution around the world.
Producing exclusively watches invented and made by F.P.Journe, the brand wished to offer its clients an exclusive place and a service corresponding to its philosophy and work ethics. That is one of the reasons that motivated François-Paul Journe to open his own distribution network with a concept of exclusive F.P.Journe Boutiques around the world.
With a limited production of around 850 pieces per year, all featuring an exclusive movement in 18K rose gold, the F.P. Journe Boutiques enable controlled distribution worldwide. Instead of being present in a multitude of locations, with a small quantity of watches, the F.P. Journe Boutiques showcase a complete collection introduced by experts in horology specifically trained by the brand.
They also showcase the Black Label line reserved solely for owners of a F.P.Journe watch, and the Titanium Anniversary editions or Collector's timepieces available only in the F.P. Journe Boutiques.
Five Boutiques have been opened since 2003 in Tokyo, Hong Kong in 2006, Boca Raton and Geneva in 2007, and Paris last December 2008 on 63 Faubourg Saint Honoré, next to the Elysée Palace.
New York will open on 721 Madison Avenue and 64th Street in November 2009. Loyal to his vision of Haute Horlogerie, François-Paul Journe draws on his creativity, expertise, and technical know-how to optimize the efficiency of mechanical timepieces. And through constant research and testing, he creates models that are unique and unmatched in terms of aesthetic beauty and technical superiority. The exclusivity and high-quality design of F.P.Journe watches have kept the retailer recession-resistant and has given the brand the edge in acquiring a prominent location on 721 Madison Avenue, and 64th Street, to grow its U.S. presence, with the opening of a flagship Boutique in New York.
Surrounded by some of the most esteemed brand names, this high-profile location features high ceilings and will finally welcome one of the most esteemed watchmakers of its time, to the undoubted delight of American collectors searching authentic and exclusive watch calibers.
In September 2009, F.P.Journe will finally bring the prestige of Haute Horlogerie to Beijing, China with the opening of its 7th exclusive F.P.Journe Boutique in one of the city's most renowned locations, the Yintaï Centre. Chinese collectors will be able to discover the mechanisms for which F.P.Journe draws on his creative powers and his historical knowledge, demonstrating a constancy in research and innovation that is confirmed by all F.P.Journe – Invenit et Fecit models, presented as world firsts.
This is one of the reasons that leads him to place the label “Invenit et Fecit” (invented and made) on all his watches, thereby proving the authenticity of the creation and production of his works entirely in house.
TWO MORE OPENINGS ARE PLANNED IN SINGAPORE AND LONDON IN 2010.
Elegant lounges within the Boutiques allow the visitor to enter the exclusive universe of the brand. Each Boutique is identically designed by François-Paul Journe and features its own sitting area, a library in which collectors can discover books about watches, a bar where they can discuss their shared passion and contemporary showcases presenting the unique collection of this exceptional creator.
F.P.Journe is launching Le CLUB on its website, a new service created for the owners of a F.P.Journe watch, offering them a space to receive previews of the latest brand news, ask their questions on the forum and receive a direct answer from the brand, or track updates on a watch handed in for service or repair.
