F.P. Journe Chronomètre Bleu Tantalum

Jay (Eire) · 2019-03-26T04:22:59Z

Explore the F.P. Journe Chronomètre Bleu, its unique tantalum case, market trends, and long waitlists. A must-read for independent watch collectors.

Jay (Eire)

WPS member · F.P. Journe forum

39 replies5430 views1 photos

Jay (Eire) initiates a discussion around the F.P. Journe Chronomètre Bleu, reflecting on its reduced wrist time despite being a favorite. This post serves as a catalyst for community members to share their own experiences and insights regarding this highly sought-after independent watch.

39 collectors discussing this on the WatchProSite forumJoin the Conversation →

While the CB is for sure a favourite watch of mine I've found it's had much less wrist time in the last year or so. This is something I need to correct going forward!

About the F.P. Journe Chronomètre Souverain Ref. chronometre

The F.P. Journe Chronomètre Souverain represents the foundational timepiece within the brand's Souveraine collection. This reference demonstrates the manufacture's approach to precision timekeeping through manual winding mechanics, positioned as a core offering in F.P. Journe's lineup.

The 40mm case is executed in 18k rose gold with a fixed bezel configuration. A sapphire crystal protects the silver dial, while the manual-winding caliber 1304 movement provides an 80-hour power reserve. The timepiece features 30-meter water resistance and is paired with a leather strap. Production commenced in 2000.

This reference appeals to collectors seeking F.P. Journe's mechanical execution in a fundamental three-hand configuration. The substantial power reserve and manual winding caliber position this model for enthusiasts who appreciate traditional watchmaking approaches within the Souveraine series framework.

Specifications

Caliber: 1304

Case: 18k Rose Gold

Diameter: 40 mm

Dial: Silver

Water Resist.: 30m

Crystal: Sapphire

Key Points from the Discussion

The price trend for the Chronomètre Bleu was initially downward but saw a material jump after two watches sold for unexpectedly high prices at auction, setting a new market standard.
The Chronomètre Bleu's case is made of tantalum, a metal known for its blue hue and extreme difficulty to work with, making its use in watchmaking rare and complex.
The Miami F.P. Journe boutique currently has a wait time of over five years for the Chronomètre Bleu, indicating its high demand and limited availability.
Despite rumors, there has been no reduction in F.P. Journe's overall production, but the Chronomètre Bleu has experienced a sudden surge in popularity.
The contributor is preparing a post about the tantalum case after visiting the case manufacture, suggesting that working with tantalum is even more complicated than platinum.
F.P. Journe produces less than 700 timepieces annually, with more than half being Chronomètre Bleu models, making its production volume significant within the brand's output.

The Discussion

Centurionone

Mar 26, 2019

Love the titanium ! [nt]

Lankysudanese

Mar 26, 2019

Tantalum.

And it is lovely

Watchcph

Mar 26, 2019

It's actually not titanium,

But tantalum. It looks somewhat like titanium, but has this blue color ;-) very difficult to work with and therefore not used very much in watches.

Rapwatch

Mar 26, 2019

'very difficult to work'.....

Do you have data on this? www.watchprosite.com

ChristianDK

Mar 26, 2019

It is quite complicated, in fact :-)

I was at the case manufacture last week and I am preparing a post about the tantalum case. It is certainly more complicated than platinum. Best Christian

Watchcph

Mar 26, 2019

Cool. Look forward to read your post. Meanwhike

Here is a link to an article about the watch and the difficulty involved in making the dial and case: monochrome-watches.com