The F.P. Journe Chronograph FB, a Classic(ish) Hand-Wound Chrono and the Last of the Limited Editions

Let’s get straight to the point, as there are a few important things to know about this watch. This is a new, unprecedented watch, despite being a commemorative and limited piece. It is also the first hand-wound chronograph (no split-seconds) of F.P. Journe. It is released in the frame of the 20th anniversary of the brand’s first boutique, the Tokyo salon. This watch will be the very last time we’ll see a limited edition from the brand. And no, this combination of a classic case with a hand-wound chronograph movement is not meant to later be reproduced in the classic collection… Here’s what we know about the new F.P. Journe Chronograph FB. 

This new (and rather stunning) Journe Chronograph FB is released in the frame of a collection that was first introduced in 2005 at the Japan-based boutique. Named the Tokyo Boutique Anniversaire Series, it launched with a 20-piece limited Chronomètre Souverain, then followed by Chronomètre à Résonance in 2006 (12 pieces), the Tourbillon Souverain in 2007 (20 pieces) and the Octa Perpétuelle in 2009 (99 pieces). In 2016, the brand released a Centigraphe Souverain to celebrate the tenth anniversary of each of its Boutiques (80 pieces in all), each piece being numbered and engraved with the name of the corresponding city. All of these watches are characterized by their polished titanium case, a gold crown and pushers, a burgundy-coloured strap and a ruthenium-toned dial.

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of its Tokyo-based boutique, F.P. Journe now released the sixth watch in the Boutique Anniversaire Series, this new Chronograph FB. And, as we said at the begenning of this article, it’s not just a new colour and a new material applied to an existing watch. This is an entirely new model, which won’t be reproduced.

What we’re looking at is the first no-split hand-wound chronograph of Journe. In the past, there’s been an Octa Chronograph but with an automatic movement, the Centigraph Souverain, and there’s the LineSport Chronographe Monopoussoir Rattrapante still in production. But never before a traditional manual chronograph, in a classic round case. Considering the importance of such watches for high-end watchmakers, it is big news.

This Chronograph FB is, as all previous models in the commemorative collection, house in a polished grade 5 titanium case, with the classic design of the Souverain or Octa collection. It measures a pleasant 40mm in diameter, with a fairly thin profile of 10.40mm, including two sapphire crystals. As expected, both the crown and pushers are here made of 18k 6N gold. And the alligator strap is in the signature burgundy colour, closed by a gold folding clasp.

The dial of this new Journe Chronograph FB is both classic for the brand and for this commemorative collection. Made of solid silver, with a clou de Paris guilloché centre, it’s ruthenium-toned with original orange-coloured Arabic numerals. An applied and screwed steel element frames the partially opened sub-counters (running seconds and 60-minute), with a large date taking stage at 6 o’clock. The dial is framed by a white chapter ring with a tachymeter scale, but look closely and you’ll see something original here. It indicates the speed for a distance based on 1,000m using the chronograph seconds hand, which makes one complete revolution in 2 minutes, with a scale graduated from 300 to 30 (instead of the classic 60 and a rotating once per minute).

Turning the watch over, and in classic FP Journe fashion, the movement is made from solid rose gold and beautifully finished. Dubbed calibre 1518.2, it shares most of its architecture with the hand-wound split-seconds movement found in the LineSport Chronographe Monopoussoir Rattrapante. However, it’s here a lighter version with a flyback function. It retains its architecture with column-wheel and oscillating pinion, as well as the 3Hz frequency and a solid 80h power reserve.

What matters is that this handsome and classic hand-wound movement has been made specifically for this commemorative edition. We’ve been confirmed that the watch in question, as you see it here, won’t be reproduced in the standard collection. Don’t expect sooner or later a Chronograph FB Bleu or a Chronograph FB Souverain. It won’t happen. This Tokyo-commemorative piece is your only chance to get a hand-wound chronograph from Journe, outisde if the LineSport collection.

Equally important, this 200-piece limited and numbered edition is the last of the limited series that will be done by Journe. There won’t be watches in the future with engraved limited numbers on the back, and no more watches in fixed limited batches. This watches is the end of the Boutique Anniversaire Series as well all other limited series. Available from the brand’s official salons, the F.P. Journe Chronograph FB will be priced at CHF 90,000 (excl. taxes). For more details, please visit www.fpjourne.com.