A label of excellence symbolising over thirty years of horological research It is with an artist’s sensitivity that François-Paul Journe explores the measurement of time to satisfy his overriding need for creativity and innovation; and as a demanding technician, he innovates by devising exclusive watch mechanisms. From his earliest years, watchmaking has been an integral part of his life.
It was in his native city of Marseille that he began training at the watchmaker’s school at the age of fourteen. Little by little, he discovered the scope and wealth of horological science, which would prove capable of satisfying both his curiosity and his creative vitality. However, the full revelation of his vocation came in Paris where he completed his studies before training with his uncle. The workshop of this eminent antique watch and clock restorer was located at the heart of the craftsmen’s district in Saint Germain-des-Près and a first-rate clientele entrusted him with the finest collections. It was here that François-Paul Journe thrilled to the discovery of the most striking achievements in the history of watchmaking and retraced the intellectual and philosophical paths taken by those who had conceived and crafted them: scientists, inventors or master-watchmakers. He experienced the privilege of entering the mechanical heart of some exceptional creations that were to set his own heart beating for years to come!
The youthful watchmaker explored what he still views as “the golden age of watchmaking”: the 18th century. Abraham-Louis Breguet, Antide Janvier and some other talented masters of time triggered his first deep-felt horological emotions. Fascinated by what these men were able to accomplish with the means at their disposal, he began the construction of his first tourbillon pocket-watch at the age of twenty. His need for independence led him to set up his craftsman’s workshop on the rue de Verneuil, where he received visits from a select circle of informed collectors who commissioned him with making some one-of-a-kind creations. He will know how to pay homage to the watchmaking history in pursuing the research, creating timekeepers from which authenticity and technical innovations are respecting the ethics of these great masters.
The many watch awards he received encouraged him in his single-handed task of research and development. Quite soon the great names in the world of luxury and watchmaking called upon his talents to develop and create innovative movements. He designed and crafted mysterious clocks, the “sympathique” clock, and subtle mechanisms for unique creations.Increasing demand emanating from Switzerland led him to develop a Manufacture dedicated to building movements for various brands. He thereby placed his historical and technical knowledge as a watchmaking design engineer in the service of industry. Nonetheless, his secret desire remained to be able to offer contemporary timekeepers, based on a technical interpretation that could rightly claim to be both authentic and innovative, to a broader public.
Each of the unique pieces François-Paul Journe was creating was the result of countless hours of research, that he saw disappearing when the commissioner took up his watch. He then began dreaming about a collection of watches offering the same qualities - comfort, innovations and performances - but for a wider public!In 1994, François-Paul Journe started designing his vision of contemporary watchmaking and presented in 1999, a collection of wristwatches signed F.P.Journe with the Latin wording – Invenit et Fecit –, meaning “invented and made”, thereby certifying that each of the watches carrying his name results from an entirely original conception and rigorous craftsmanship.
His creative, intellectual and inventive thought process remains identical that when he was a craftsman, only the shaping changes considerably, with more contributors. His integrity in the creation of innovative timepieces, imposes him naturally as the link between the golden age of horological science and contemporary watchmaking. His creations have quickly imposed with the status of World Premiere, thanks to their unique conception, their originality and their technical performance.François-Paul Journe perpetuates the long history of watchmaking and pays tribute to the Age of Enlightenment, by pursuing and extending the most decisive research in the unique science and craft represented by the measurement of time. He has become a subtle link between the watchmaking of yesterday and that of tomorrow.His creations were soon to establish themselves as world firsts, thanks to their technical originality and degree of performance.
INVENIT ET FECIT : Movements in worldwide exclusivity
Chronometers by F.P.Journe -Invenit et Fecit- possess a powerful aesthetic identity. They reflect a new vision of contemporary watchmaking. Their designer, who is above all a master-watchmaker, wanted simple, companionable and yet spectacular watches of round shape because they guarantee the best using of space; and the essential is housed within the very heart of his exclusive movements.François-Paul Journe wanted his chronometers to provide the indispensable information at first glance. The guilloché silver hour and minute dials are screwed by means of a patented system to the right-hand side of the 18-carat gold watch face for discreet read-off.
A LIMITED PRODUCTION - For each watch its own watchmaker
It is hardly surprising to learn that the team of watchmakers are driven by a shared motivation: a return to a full-fledged watchmaker's work. In an increasingly segmented industry, few watchmakers have the opportunity to create a watch from start to finish and even less are able to follow its destiny.In the workshops of François-Paul Journe, the watchmakers who have chosen to associate with him are all inspired by a common purpose: to pursue their training and hone their skills by working with new, exclusive and technically innovative calibres. All are keenly aware that more new introductions will be forthcoming and that technical challenges and learning experiences will be their daily lot. Each watchmaker is responsible for making a specific watch, according to his professional affinities and above all his technical sensitivity. His mission will be to perform all stages in assembling the watch: fitting the exclusive F.P.Journe movement, the often delicate rating process, casing-up and testing before submitting it to the "master" for an ultimate check.
Much like a cardiologist, a watchmaker becomes acquainted with the slightest reactions and vagaries of the mechanism which are so inherent in mechanical watches. Somewhat like a "godfather", if one considers the design-engineer as the father, he becomes responsible for each watch for the guarantee period following purchase. Each stage is carefully recorded and enables a precise review of all the watchmaker's gestures.It is a real privilege for these passionately dedicated watchmakers to follow the career of the watches they make. Each of them carries with it the secret of the number of hours the watchmaker has spent with it and thus acquires a unique dimension. It is imbued with the sense of companionship of which only its "godfather" can bring back the memories when meeting it at a later date. If necessary, he will find the means to restore his protégé to its initial radiance and ensure that its heart is as young as when they first parted !
A TOTALLY NOVATIVE CONSTRUCTION
Watches with a long power reserve of classical construction suffer from the fact that their small balance is sensitive to chocks and disturbances. All chronometers in the Souveraine and Octa collections houses an exclusive large-size four-arm balance, providing enhanced precision rating stability.
THE DIALS
In 18 ct red, white or yellow gold and in guilloché silver. In the collection by F.P.Journe-Invenit et Fecit- the dial reveals the most hidden secrets of the mysterious mechanical gear-trains. Thanks to his own dial-makers' workshop, François-Paul Journe need make no concessions and can allow his imagination to roam freely. His dials are the authentic faces of his watches and their elegant features do far more than simply showing the time. Instead, they reveal the heart of each watch for all to admire.
THE MANUFACTURE MONTRES JOURNE GENEVE
A building dating back to 1892, located at the heart of the Plainpalais district, which has become the hub of contemporary art in Geneva.
LES BOUTIQUES-SALON F.P.Journe
They enable to control an exclusive and international distribution with carefully trained collaborators. The first one was opened in 2004 in Tokyo, followed by Hong Kong, Boca Raton and Geneva. 5 additional Boutiques are planed in Paris, New York, London, Beijing and Singapore. They are located in the prestigious areas of each city enabling clients and collectors to find them easily. The identical decoration for each Boutique-lounge is realised by François-Paul Journe, with as much care as he is taking to produce his watches. They allow the visitor to penetrate an exclusive watch universe in a refined, elegant and comfortable environment. They feature a relaxing sitting area, a library in which collectors can find numerous books and magazines about watches, a bar in which they can exchange about their shared passion, and show cases of aerial design presenting the elitist collection from this prodigious creator.
Worldwide distribution company:
Montres Journe SA, 17 Rue de l’Arquebuse, 1204 Geneva
Official website:http://www.fpjourne.com
Chronology:
1957:Birth of François-Paul Journe in Marseille (France)
1976:Graduates from the Ecole d'horlogerie de Paris,Join his uncle in his antique watch restoration workshop in Paris
1978:Builds his first tourbillon pocket-watch
1982:Realisation of a tourbillon pocket-watch with constant force device
1985:Sets up his first workshop on the rue de Verneuil in Paris
1986:Creation of an automatic chronometer pocket-watch
1987:Prize awarded by the Fondation de la Vocation Bleustein-Blanchet,Creates a planetary pocket-watch
1988:Creates the “sympatique” clock for Asprey’s of London,Birth of Charles
1989:“Balancier d’Or” Prize awarded at the Watchmakers Convention in Madrid,
Establishes a movement Manufacture in Switzerland
1991:The first Tourbillon wristwatch with constant force device
1994:Gaia Watchmaker of the Year award from the Musée de l’Homme et du Temps
1996:Creates TIM SA in Geneva, devoted to developing exclusive calibres in the service various brands
1999:Launches a collection of chronometers signed F.P.Journe -Invenit et Fecit-
World Premiere : Presents the first Tourbillon Souverain (collection Souveraine)
2000:Presents the "Sonnerie Souveraine" in homage to the new Century World Premiere : Invents the first resonance wristwatch “Chronomètre à Résonance”,Establishes the workshops of the brand in the centre of Geneva. rue de l’Arquebuse/rue de la Synagogue
2001:Birth of Maxime,Introduces the first F.P.Journe automatic movement (Octa clollection): the first in the world to ensure precision timekeeping performances for full five days when not worn,Associates with the American company Harry Winston in creating eighteen exceptional one-of-a-kind creations constituting the Opus One collection of 18 pieces
2002:Acquires the first item in the collection of Montres Journe SA: the resonance regulator made around 1780 by the famous French watchmaker Antide Janvier,
Acquisition of the building rue de l’Arquebuse/rue de la Synagogue in the centre of Geneva – 90% of the components are manufactured there,First private exhibition in his headquarters in Geneva.
2002: Win the special prize of the jury of the “Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève” for the Octa calendrier model
2003:Opening of Montres Journes Japon KK with the creation of a F.P.Journe Boutique,
Opening of the first salon of Montres Journe in Tokyo,Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève, “Men watch” award for the model Octa Lune,Watch of the Year award in Japan,
The Chronomètre à Résonance receives the Jury Prize “Watch of the Year”
2004:Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève Receives the ultimate ”Gold Hand” Award 2004 for the model Tourbillon Souverain,Watch of the Year award in Japan,The Tourbillon Souverain receives the Grand Prize Watch of the Year
2005:Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix 2005 F.P. Journe receives the "best men's watch" award for the Chronomètre Souverain
2006:Annual exhibition 4th to 8th April in Geneva,François-Paul Journe honoured with the title of «Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres» by the French Minister of Culture
Creation of Montres Journe Hong-Kong with the opening of a F.P.Journe Boutique in Prince’s Building,Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève 2006 Receives for the second time the ultimate ”Gold Hand” Award for the model Sonnerie Souveraine,In Japan, F.P.Journe receives the “Watch of the Year Award” 2006 for the Sonnerie Souveraine.
2007
April: Inauguration of the new Exhibition Space in the Manufacture Montres Journe Genève featuring an exceptional astronomical clock by C.L Detouche, (1855), restored during 3 years by the Musée d’Horlogerie of la Chaux de Fonds
April : Inauguration of the first Boutique F.P.Journe in Europe at 13 place Longemalle in the historical centre of Geneva
Fall: Exhibition Steel Time in the Exhibition of the Manufacture
December : Inauguration of the first franchised Boutique F.P.Journe in the United States, on Mizner Park at Boca Raton, Florida
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