Let’s get straight to the purpose, as there are a couple of necessary issues to learn about this watch. This can be a new, unprecedented watch, regardless of being a commemorative and restricted piece. It’s also the primary hand-wound chronograph (no split-seconds) of F.P. Journe. It’s launched within the body of the twentieth anniversary of the model’s first boutique, the Tokyo salon. This watch would be the final time we’ll see a restricted version from the model. And no, this mixture of a traditional case with a hand-wound chronograph motion isn’t meant to later be reproduced within the traditional assortment… Right here’s what we all know in regards to the new F.P. Journe Chronograph FB.
This new (and slightly beautiful) Journe Chronograph FB is launched within the body of a set that was first launched in 2005 on the Japan-based boutique. Named the Tokyo Boutique Anniversaire Sequence, it launched with a 20-piece restricted Chronomètre Souverain, then adopted by Chronomètre à Résonance in 2006 (12 items), the Tourbillon Souverain in 2007 (20 items) and the Octa Perpétuelle in 2009 (99 items). In 2016, the model launched a Centigraphe Souverain to rejoice the tenth anniversary of every of its Boutiques (80 items in all), every bit being numbered and engraved with the title of the corresponding metropolis. All of those watches are characterised by their polished titanium case, a gold crown and pushers, a burgundy-coloured strap and a ruthenium-toned dial.
Celebrating the twentieth anniversary of its Tokyo-based boutique, F.P. Journe now launched the sixth watch within the Boutique Anniversaire Sequence, this new Chronograph FB. And, as we mentioned on the begenning of this text, it’s not only a new color and a brand new materials utilized to an current watch. That is a completely new mannequin, which gained’t be reproduced.
What we’re is the primary no-split hand-wound chronograph of Journe. Prior to now, there’s been an Octa Chronograph however with an computerized motion, the Centigraph Souverain, and there’s the LineSport Chronographe Monopoussoir Rattrapante nonetheless in manufacturing. However by no means earlier than a conventional guide chronograph, in a traditional spherical case. Contemplating the significance of such watches for high-end watchmakers, it’s massive information.
This Chronograph FB is, as all earlier fashions within the commemorative assortment, home in a refined grade 5 titanium case, with the traditional design of the Souverain or Octa assortment. It measures a nice 40mm in diameter, with a reasonably skinny profile of 10.40mm, together with two sapphire crystals. As anticipated, each the crown and pushers are right here fabricated from 18k 6N gold. And the alligator strap is within the signature burgundy color, closed by a gold folding clasp.
The dial of this new Journe Chronograph FB is each traditional for the model and for this commemorative assortment. Product of strong silver, with a clou de Paris guilloché centre, it’s ruthenium-toned with authentic orange-coloured Arabic numerals. An utilized and screwed metal factor frames the partially opened sub-counters (operating seconds and 60-minute), with a big date taking stage at 6 o’clock. The dial is framed by a white chapter ring with a tachymeter scale, however look carefully and also you’ll see one thing authentic right here. It signifies the pace for a distance primarily based on 1,000m utilizing the chronograph seconds hand, which makes one full revolution in 2 minutes, with a scale graduated from 300 to 30 (as a substitute of the traditional 60 and a rotating as soon as per minute).
Turning the watch over, and in traditional FP Journe trend, the motion is produced from strong rose gold and superbly completed. Dubbed calibre 1518.2, it shares most of its structure with the hand-wound split-seconds motion discovered within the LineSport Chronographe Monopoussoir Rattrapante. Nevertheless, it’s right here a lighter model with a flyback perform. It retains its structure with column-wheel and oscillating pinion, in addition to the 3Hz frequency and a strong 80h energy reserve.
What issues is that this good-looking and traditional hand-wound motion has been made particularly for this commemorative version. We’ve been confirmed that the watch in query, as you see it right here, gained’t be reproduced in the usual assortment. Don’t anticipate eventually a Chronograph FB Bleu or a Chronograph FB Souverain. It gained’t occur. This Tokyo-commemorative piece is your solely likelihood to get a hand-wound chronograph from Journe, outisde if the LineSport assortment.
Equally necessary, this 200-piece restricted and numbered version is the final of the restricted sequence that might be executed by Journe. There gained’t be watches sooner or later with engraved restricted numbers on the again, and no extra watches in mounted restricted batches. This watches is the top of the Boutique Anniversaire Sequence as effectively all different restricted sequence. Accessible from the model’s official salons, the F.P. Journe Chronograph FB might be priced at CHF 90,000 (excl. taxes). For extra particulars, please go to www.fpjourne.com.
