f.p. journe

F.P. Journe Chronometre a Resonance 10th Anniversary Edition Watch

It is really too bad that some of the people at F.P. Journe are a pain to deal with, because their watches are typically very nice. Most people I have encountered that own his watches are very happy, and the pieces are cool. Now all the brand needs is a nice slap in the face to move whatever is lodged up their... well you know. Their newest piece is a redo on the Chronometre a Resonance watch from a few years ago. Actually, it was likely 10 years ago given that this is the 10th Anniversary watch of the collection. The complex idea of the movement is that two balance wheels run right next to each other and somehow balance each other out (using "resonance") - creating a type of consistency between the two. Thus, the promise in the watch is that the (essentially) two watches in one are very accurate, and precise in terms of being synced with each other.

I have opted to display the rear of the watch because of how beautiful it is. The symmetrical design of the 18k gold movement is impressively stunning. You can see the two balance wheels right next to each other, almost touching. According to F.P. Journe, adjusting the in-house made Caliber 1499.3 movement is very difficult. The movement further has 297 parts with a power reserve of about 40 hour. Check out the gallery below and you can see the dial. Functions include two watch dials, one using discs and displaying time on a 24 hour scale, and a power reserve indicator.

In a moderately sized case, the watch is available in either a 38 or 40mm wide diameter, as well as in a platinum or 18k rose gold case. The watch is very thin at just 9mm thick. Styling is standard F.P. Journe that you either love or feel ambivalent toward. Though the classic style is unique, and always easy to read. Expect this watch to be available this year, and to be made in a limited manner, although it isn't strictly a limited edition watch.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: F.P. Journe Chronometre a Resonance 10th Anniversary Edition Watch

Tags: chronograph, chronometre, f.p. journe, Rsonance, watch

Robb Report Loves The F.P. Journe Répétion Souveraine Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Readers of the Robb Report know that they like luxury watches and tend to include more mainstream and independent luxury brands in their frequent timepiece discussions. As such, in Robb Report's recent "Best of the Best" awards for 2009, they have selected a number of products and services that together make up the ultimate items for the luxury lifestyle. In the category of "Men's Watches" there were five "Best of the Best" winners including this F.P. Journe Répétion Souveraine watch. F.P. Journe certainly falls in the independent category of watch makers in comparison to other winners which include brands such as Jaeger-LeCoultre and Vacheron Constantin (each part of the Richemont Group). Other winning brands included Patek Philippe and De Benthune.

The Répétion Souveraine watch is unique as being an extremely thin minute repeater watch - with the manually wound movement being about 4mm thick. The watch includes this minute repeater complication as well as the time with subsidiary seconds and a power reserve indicator - all on a very typically styled F.P. Journe watch dial. The level of finish and subtle decoration is what collectors and enthusiasts come to expect from the brand the relishes in its French style while being made in Switzerland. The whole watch is about 8mm thick, which is really a triumph for any sonnerie type of watch requiring space for the gongs and hammers inside of the movement. This winning "Best of the Best" watch goes for about $165,000.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: best of the best, BestOfTheBest, f.p. journe, F.p.Journe, luxury, minute repeater, MinuteRepeater, robb report, RobbReport, Rption Souveraine, RptionSouveraine, watch