“A Constant Force” – The F.P. Journe Chronomètre Optimum

The F.P. Journe Souverain Collection was born in 1991, when Francois-Paul Journe created the first prototype of The Tourbillon Souverain incorporating the remontoire he developed in 1982, into a wristwatch. In 1999, the first F.P. Journe Tourbillon watch with remontoire was presented to the world and has continued to pave the way for this fantastic collection.

Today, the Souverain Collection by F.P. Journe continues to represent a wealth of knowledge and technology in the watch making industry with the newest masterpiece to join the list of timepieces – the Chronomètre Optimum.

The Chronmètre Optimum uses the patented constant-force remontoire, which balances the driving force upon the escapement and maintains the utmost efficiency of the movement. F.P. Journe also incorporates the EBHP high performance two-wheel escapement capable of starting up on its own with an impressive 50 hours of output and uses no oil to function.

The F.P. Journe Chronomètre Optimum features a Calibre 1510 manual winding 18k rose gold movement with a 70 hour power reserve. The movement is housed in a 40mm or 42mm platinum or rose gold case. The beautiful dial is available in your choice of either gold or silver guillochè clous de Paris and features off centered hours and minutes measured with blue hands and small seconds just to the left at the 9 o’clock position. The power reserve is visible at the 6 o’clock position on the dial as well as the one second remontoire at the 11 o’clock position.

On the back of the watch, visible through the sapphire crystal, the Chronomètre Optimums’ 18k rose gold movement can be admired along with the natural dead beat seconds on a circle which is screwed into the movement’s bridges and the beautiful finishing details on the movement.

The Chronomètre Optimum by F.P. Journe is priced from $86,400 for the 40mm rose gold model and goes up to $92,400 for the 42mm platinum model. Production for the Chronomètre Optimum will be limited.

Source and photographs courtesy of F.P. Journe