Goldarth's Review

F.P. Journe is a watchmaker with a unique aesthetic and an inventive philosophy. Journe’s controversial and inspired Chronomètre à Résonance of some years ago sparked debate, but looked superb and had a number of innovations to its name – and put this independent watchmaker firmly on the horological map. This year, the distinctive F.P. Journe collection is joined by a new Centigraphe Souverain, as well as a couple of new additions to the Octa range.



The Centigraphe Souveraine (above) is an innovative new chronograph watch that measures elapsed times from one hundredth of a second, to 10 minutes, on three subdials. A tachometer function allows the wearer to convert times into speeds ranging from walking pace up to 360,000 km/h should the need arise. This new chronograph mechanism has been patented for its ingenuity.

The Octa range welcomes the addition of a new Caliber 1300-3, an automatic-winding movement that optimizes even the most minute wrist movements to wind the watch, unlike most watch rotors that require large oscillations to turn. The key to the new movement is ceramic ball bearings, which facilitate the automatic winding. The expected 5-day power reserve remains, however, which is good news.



Interestingly, in incorporating the new movement into them, Journe has modified the Octa line with centrally-located hands, instead of the classic Octa dial which had offset hands that were less legible, but rather more instantly recognizable as an F.P. Journe. The new design theme appears in the new-for-2007 Octa Automatic Reserve (above) and the Octa Automatic Lune (below). Both watches feature Journe’s high standard of finish in and out.