Horological Meandering

2 FPJ chronographs...

I just want to share with you these pics...

I have to confess that I consider the Octa chronograph as one of the most beautiful ones... sadly, the ambition with this watch was too high: the chronograph module was too thin to really be efficient. But what a dial!

I will come back later to the CTS.. I was really positively surprised by it.

If I had to buy a FPJ watch, the CTS won't be on top of my list. But I consider that François-Paul Journe managed to create a very interesting sportive evolution of the Centigraph. Why? Because the watch is comfortable, light without losing its "high-end" style.

And this CTS gives us the opportunity to have a different movement material. The work on the bracelet is impressive. Each link seems to be independent from the other ones.

Octa Chronograph:

Due to the modular architecture of the movement, you don't see a difference with a "classic" 1300:

I love this dial... you will notice that it is a rare example of a 60mn counter.

We jump into another world with the CTS:

A very flexible bracelet!

The 1506 with its new material:

Light (55g) and comfortable, the CTS brings special feelings on the wrist:

The CTS is larger than a Centigraphe Souverrain (42 vs 40). Of course, it hs the same feature with its 20s and 10mn counters. I will not come back about the upper left subdial. i consider the Centigraphe not as a 100th of second chronograph but as complex foudroyante watch.

I will com back to it.

Fx

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Interesting observation

By: donizetti : October 5th, 2011-14:51

thanks for the comparison. What exactly do you mean when you say the Octa is "not efficient enough"? I am sorry to hear that because that is a watch I thought I would want to have sometime, like the dial and the 60 min counter. Best Andreas

In a few words: it doesn't work properly

By: foversta : October 5th, 2011-15:11

As I said, the ambition was too high: a flyback chronograph with such thin module (1mn including the big date system!!!!) was a huge challenge. To be able to achieve it, the column wheel was converted into a cam wheel. But the watch was very fragile despi...

thanks - that is clear

By: donizetti : October 5th, 2011-15:19

strike one of the list, then! Best Andreas

The Chronograph is useful, if you want to measure the time ...

By: amanico : October 5th, 2011-21:40

You'll need to give it back to the Service Center. It is well known that the Octa Chrono never worked. Best, Nicolas

Always disappointed by

By: Moses : October 5th, 2011-22:18

The case back view of FPJ chronos. Hiding the Chrono works is a mistake.

My Octa Chrono works fine

By: amerix : October 6th, 2011-00:39

after about two years of frequent use, including the chrono function with flyback. However it is one of the last three before it went out of production. Just when they got things going right. Lucky me, because I would sorely miss it! amerix

The Octa chronograph dial & case ...

By: small-luxury-world : October 6th, 2011-11:49

together with the movement of the CTS would be nice, very nice Thanks, FX! Oliver

Is the Centigraphe more robust?

By: emcquillan : October 6th, 2011-12:26

I had the regular version (not sport) on my wrist recently and was very impressed with the dial and the movement and the size/comfort. It sings to me.

For me, there is currently no specific trouble with the Centigraphe.

By: foversta : October 7th, 2011-13:48

Nothing comparable with the Octa Chronograph! It is absolutely not the same caliber architecture of course as you know. Fx

This sport version of the Centigraphe

By: Mostel : October 7th, 2011-16:45

really speaks to me. I can imagine that I might have found it ugly or too weird years ago... but Journe is doing things no other watchmaker is doing, again and again, and as noted, sometimes failing... he takes genuine risks and actually fails sometimes! ...

Guts, you need them if you are an independent watchmaker ...

By: small-luxury-world : October 8th, 2011-01:20

or you are just endangered for suicide. You mentioned Kari, from my point of view he has lots of guts - for sure. Oliver

Octa Chronographe design issues

By: AndrewD : October 7th, 2011-17:09

The Octa Chronographe ceased production 3 years ago to make way for the Centigraphe Souveraine. Mr Journe designed the whole Octa range to a specific thickness, regardless of the complication, and the aesthetic purity of the proportions are very appealing...

Nice looking pair

By: Davo : October 8th, 2011-01:36

The Octa Chrono is a beaut indeed. Such a timelessly classic dial. The CTS however is not really my cuppa. I much prefer the look of the CS. Thanks for posting, Fx.