by Kyle Stults on November 22, 2009
Here is a very interesting and visually appealing new watch from elite watchmaker F.P. Journe. First let me say what a beautiful blue color this watch is (and merely a coincidence that it bears a similarly rich, deep blue-colored dial as the IWC Laureus that I featured here in First In Watches about a month ago).
More intriguing to me about this watch is its intended wearer – is this a Journe for Junior? It seems so! Journe presents his new CHRONOMÈTRE BLEU as “The First F.P. Journe Junior Creation with Chronometric Precision” while noting that “François-Paul Journe has found the answer to the demand for a precision watch by a clientele that, though still young (often his collectors’ children), is already fascinated by chronometry. ” Really?!? I can see it now: children of F.P. Journe’s wealthy clientele are dirtying up their father’s pieces of haute horlogerie on the school jungle gym - François-Paul help! OK, so I exaggerate a tiny bit perhaps. But is ”Junior” capable of truly appreciating and caring for something as precious and exclusive as an F.P. Journe.? Certainly he can not afford it!
Whimsical situations aside, this the new CHRONOMÈTRE BLEU from F.P. Journe is beautiful both in its color, its curves and its simplicity. The watch has a 39 mm diameter case made of Tantalum, a rare dark grey metal with blue overtones. Tantalum is a hard and heavy metal that is highly resistant to corrosion and wear and is frequently used in surgery and aeronautics.
Something tells me that as much as this watch might be intended for “Junior”, it will probably end up getting most of its wrist time on Father!
The watch has a manual winding movement (Caliber 1304) made in 18K rose gold, like that of all F.P.Journe creations. Its twin barrels deliver a 56-hour indicated reserve. The movement is signed with the label -Invenit et Fecit- (invented and made), each F.P.Journe exclusive movement guarantees a manufacture calibre, invented, constructed, and assembled entirely in Journe’s Geneva workshops, and is visible through the transparent case back.
The CHRONOMÈTRE BLEU will be available starting in November at all F.P.Journe Boutiques in New York, Beijing, Paris, Tokyo, Geneva, Hong Kong and Boca Raton, as well as through all authorized F.P.Journe retailers world-wide. 166 will be made. comes with a leather strap.
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