14 / F.P. Journe

F.P. Journe, The Watchmaking Genius F.P. Journe is an independent Swiss watch manufacturer located in Geneva, founded by François-Paul Journe, a French watchmaker born in 1957 in Marseille. François-Paul Journe developed an early interest in watchmaking and began working on watches at an early age. At the age of 14, he entered a watchmaking school and after two years, he moved to Paris to continue his studies where he graduated from the School of Watchmaking in 1975. During his studies, he worked in the workshop of his uncle, Michel Journe, restorer of antique clocks where he worked for eight years and where he met important collectors. This experience allows him to touch and study timepieces from the beginnings of mechanical watchmaking to the present day. Journe gained valuable experience by also working with renowned watchmakers, such as his mentor, François Golay. In 1983, he completed his first tourbillon pocket watch; a work of five years of which each element is realized by her hand with patience. Building on this success, he decided two years later (1985) to set up in his own workshop, rue de Verneuil in Paris, with the aim of creating tailor-made watches for collectors. He also joined the Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI) in 1986 and began regularly exhibiting his creations at the Basel Fair. In 1987, only two years after becoming professionally independent, he received honours from the Bleustein Blanchet Foundation, created in 1960, which promotes and rewards exceptional achievements in the professional world. He thus received the Laureate Prize from the Fondation de la Vocation, a very recognized and esteemed distinction. The same year, he created a unique pocket watch with planetary gear commissioned by a collector of scientific objects which testifies to his mastery of the art of watchmaking. In 1989, he was honoured by the Spanish Watchmaking Academy which awarded him the Golden Balance Prize for all his work. His limitless creativity pushed him to create the same year, with a small group of independent watchmaker colleagues, the Techniques Horlogères Appliquées S.A. (T.H.A.) in Sainte-Croix in Switzerland, specializing in the development and manufacturing of complex and innovative products, most of which were designed by François-Paul Journe for several major brands. He left it ten years later, in 1999, to create his own brand and settle in Geneva, 5, rue des Maraîchers, where he began to design and manufacture watches under Montres Journe S.A. brand. F.P. Journe quickly became famous for its innovative approach to watchmaking and exceptional craftsmanship. The brand creates its own movements in-house, showcasing its technical skills and artistic creativity. Its watches are characterized by unusual horological complications, unique designs, and meticulous attention to detail. From 1999, F.P Journe presented, as a world exclusive, its emblematic watch, the “Tourbillon Souverain”, hailed by collectors and watchmaking experts for its technical excellence and exceptional aesthetics. Since then, the brand has continued to launch new collections and complications, notably a resonance model, then chronographs and chimes. Today under the name F.P. Journe - Invenit et Fecit, the watches are handcrafted using high quality materials and traditional horological techniques, thus perpetuating the tradition of artisanal watchmaking. Journe attaches great importance to the precision and reliability of its timepieces, and each piece is carefully adjusted and tested to ensure optimal performance. Over the years, F.P. Journe has become a benchmark for its technical innovation and avant-garde design. His watches are highly sought after by collectors and watch enthusiasts around the world. -- Key Dates • 1975: Françoi-Paul Journe graduates from the Paris Watchmaking School. • 1977: he creates his first watch at the age of 20. • 1985: he decides to set up in his own workshop, rue de Verneuil in Paris. • 1989: he created, with a small group of independent watchmaker colleagues, the Techniques Horlogères Appliquées S.A. (T.H.A.) in Sainte-Croix in Switzerland. • 1999: he founded F.P. Journe brand in Geneva, Switzerland. He launched into the production of watches highlighting his expertise and his horological vision. He presents his first tourbillon by subscription (20 copies). • 2001: creation of a self-winding mechanical calibre “Octa” and launch of the eponymous collection, which offers watches equipped with automatic movements with horological complications, combining precision, functionality and refined aesthetics. • 2003: F.P. Journe opens its first boutique in Tokyo, Japan, followed by other boutiques around the world, notably in Geneva, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Dubai, Kiev, etc. • 2003: men’s watch prize for the “Octa Lune” at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG). • 2004: F.P. Journe receives the highest distinction GPHG, the “Aiguille d’Or”, for the “Tourbillon Souverain”. • 2006: “Aiguille d’Or” prize for the “Sonnerie Souveraine” at the GPHG. • 2008: “Aiguille d’Or” prize for the “Centigraphe Souverain” at the GPHG. • 2014: F.P. Journe receives the prestigious “Best Independent Watchmaker” award from Spiral Magazine (China) in recognition of his exceptional contribution to contemporary watchmaking. • 2018: Release of the book F.P Journe - Invenit et Fecit (by Jean-Pierre Grosz). -- Iconic models and current collections • “Octa”: this is one of F.P Journe’s most important collections. These watches are characterized by their sleek and elegant design, as well as their sophisticated mechanical movements. These watches offer horological complications such as moon phases, power reserves and annual calendars. A line of self-winding mechanical watches with an exceptional power reserve of 160 hours and an innovative calibre of the same thickness for all models regardless of the complication. • “Chronomètre Souverain”: this model embodies F.P. Journe’s quest for precision. This watch is chronometer-certified and is distinguished by its sleek dial, blued hands and stop-seconds function. This timepiece draws its inspiration from early 19th century marine chronometry. • “Chronomètre à Résonance”: this model is based on the physical principle of resonance: two balances are in unison for better precision. These watches are renowned for their precision and unique aesthetics. An emblematic timepiece that is a distinctive sign of the horological research of master watchmaker François-Paul Journe into precision. • “Tourbillon Souverain”: this watch mechanism improves precision by compensating for the effects of gravity. It is produced with a power reserve of 120 hours. This watch is hailed for its innovative technology and elegant aesthetics. With its Tourbillon, F.P. Journe once again manages to surprise with its majestic interpretation of the complication invented by Abraham-Louis Breguet. • “Elégante”: Initially designed for women, with a special quartz movement, this collection quickly won over men who were captivated by the volumes of this shaped watch. • “Chronographe Monopoussoir Rattrapante”: this model is a split-seconds chronograph with a single ergonomic push-piece to control all the chronograph functions. It offers advanced functionality and a balanced design. --