mdg
10643
A bit late to this...
but a couple of thoughts.
Overall FPJ makes very interesting watches, and in the metal they are like little jewels...they really impress. But like many (most?) here, I am more than a bit OCD about certain things, typography and dial design among them. I am an art director (semi-retired) and type and layout are very important to me.
FPJ has too much type on his dials. OK, I can live with that. But if it's to be there, it should be done properly. The examples I've seen over the years have shown that his dial designers have no idea about good typography (this dial example is better than most btw). The kerning is all over the board. No big deal, most of you say, but unacceptable IMHO in a watch costing as much as a house. If nothing else, watches are all about details, and while type may not be a detail that affects performance, it is a sign that someone isn't paying attention to the entire package.
Last, the power reserve indicator. FPJ is one of the biggest offenders here. In this case, red is being used in front of '40' which indicates 'Full.' Red is universally used to show 'danger' or 'warning.' Also, almost universally, 'Full' is shown in the direction of 'Up' and 'Empty' in the 'Down' direction. Here it is just the opposite. It is counter-intuitive. Perhaps these are quirks that make FPJ watches more lovable, but it is something that I just can't get past.
No matter, the man is a master and has created iconic watches...I suppose that is something upon which we can all agree..... Best, m
Why I bought my first Journe
First of all, a big thank you to cmmnsens, Christian, Alex83, CR, CL, TJG, Jay, nafetS, deardorff and those who commented on my earlier post. You have shared valuable insights which I am very appreciative of. I must say even though the decision was alread...
big congratulations...a watch that Mr. Journe said he designed it for himself !
great choice !! wear in the best health & enjoy the festive season... Best, mahesh.,
Optimum is also one of my all time favourite F.P. Journe
Congratulations on you first F.P. Journe. I´m sure it not the last one. Where it in the best health!
Congratulations, the CO is an amazing watch!
I fully agree on the importance of the Optimum in FPJ's history. Simple looking, but complex behind the scenes... with the special surprise on the back! While the CO was not the first FP Journe watch I added to my collection, it was certainly one I had to...
Thanks mate :-)
Which was your first ? Please share photos and also your thoughts on why you bought it first amongst others
My first was a Resonance, followed very closely by a Tourbillon.
For me, the Resonance is the most significant FPJ piece in the collection, which is why I wanted to own that first. I know the Tourbillon also has its merits of being a world first with the remontoir etc, but the dual movements in the Resonance was for me...
Many congratulations.
You are correct, almost every piece has been made with a purpose and so it’s near impossible to make a bad decision. The CO, as you mentioned, is “FP’s watch”. This is something really special. And not to be discounted is the “A Journe for the ages” (or i...
We share one more thing in common
It was Panerai that kickstarted it all for me Thanks Jay, was great conversing with you on the forum !
Thank you :-)
Would love to pick your brain on Journe. Always a pleasure speaking to you here and seeing your posts
Congratulations on getting the Optimum. Amazing watch, both technically and visual. The dial design reminds me of the Mandelbrot set, a fractal pattern ;-)
I recently got my first Journe as well, the Octa Calendrier, but the Optimum was high on my list, and a "hard" dilemma to chose between them. I fully understand why you got this! Enjoy in good health and a merry Christmas to you.
Merry Xmas mate :-)
Thanks a lot for your kind words. I had to google what a Mandelbrot set was lol. And congrats on the Calendrier, it’s a great looking watch for sure. Hope to see photos of it.
Personally...
I find this piece as the one of the most important Journe's watches. Purer than the Tourbillon and more effective than the Resonance. Maybe it is indeed the most ultimate Journe. Congrats to you!!!
Thank you CL
It’s a logical assessment on my part, but I must say the resonance and tourbillons seem more collectible lol
R and T are more collectible now...
but let's see what happens 10 years from now. I think the Optimum has an important position in history
Thank you CR :-)
Yes indeed, the Journe (and one other special piece...which I will share later) has definitely ushered in the new decade for me.
Oh
That is a beauty! Huge congrats on this one. I hope you find lots of joy going down this path of Journe... lots of. Amazing pieces and you have started out on a high note! Enjoy!
Thank you Keks :-)
Really enjoy speaking and discussing about watches with you. I hope to break bread with you some day! Merry Xmas my friend
Congratulations!
You made a fantastic decision. There are so many nice options but the CO is a standout. I think that you will really enjoy it as well as going down the path of collecting more Journes. Best
The one that started all? Big Congrats
Fellow watch collector congrats on this beauty! Really hard to determine or even choose a FPJ since each and all has their particularity and ingenious creation but the master. How many variations or editions exist on the CO ? My best, Rto
Thanks RTO :-)
So far I’ve seen the black label version of it and also a MOP dial. So two.
Dear G. What a great write up!
Congratulations on the Optimum. Thank you for sharing your well articulated thoughts and great pictures. All your thoughts about it, I share. It is a a very important FPJ. Both very high end horology and simple and useful. Simple and complex. It has all t...
Christian, hope you’re feeling better !
Happy holidays to you had yours. At this moment I gotta say I’m down the rabbit hole with FPJ You’re right, it’s very addictive, and it’s tempting to want to build a collection out of Journe
Just received my very first FPJ !
Just got the CTS2 as my first FPJ - thanks as well for ChristianDK for sharing so much knowledge about the master FPJ and his creations...and advising me to follow my heart ! Like you said I'm now starting to become deeply involved with this brand )) I'm...
Wow. So beautiful!!
I am a Patek collector ready to branch out. I am thinking of acquiring a F.P. Journe perhaps the CO as my first piece. The quality looks great. Love the movement. How is the access to service in the USA? With so few watches made and no boutiques in the ar...
The US is the biggest market for FPJ
And you have several great options- both in terms of purchasing and service points. Miami boutique is run by industry legend and long time personal friend of Journe - Pierre Halimi. Pierre is incredibly nice and an encyclopedia of all things FPJ. If you a...
Excellent Christian.
Thanks so much. I am used to traveling to buy watches. It is no problem to go to NYC or Miami. My one other question is longevity of the company and a succession plan. I have no worries about that with Patek,Rolex or IWC all of which I own multiple pieces...
Very important question
FPJ’s children have, to my knowledge, not (yet) pursued the path of horology. Therefore FPJ sold 20% to Chanel last year, in order to secure the longevity of the brand. FP is close personal friends with the Wertheimer brothers. If you take a closer look a...
Super. That is just what I needed to know.
I am now comfortable with the brand. Next step is to go to a boutique or dealer and take a look at the watches in the metal. Thanks so much form the help and information. Many thanks CB
Thanks very much. I will certainly post my experiences here.
I’ve learned so much already by reading this form. It’s very well moderated and has great content. Thank you CB
Huge congratulations and thank you so much for your kind words.
If I have played any small part in getting you interested in FPJ, that makes me immensely proud! Follow the heart not the heard! For me - the most important is that we all make our own thing of our interest in watches. (Provided we have done the research,...
Much better now - Thank You so much :-)
Enjoy this amazing watch and that you have landed a big important piece from Journe - but I have a feeling that down the line, you get the idea to compliment it 🤗
A bit late to this...
but a couple of thoughts. Overall FPJ makes very interesting watches, and in the metal they are like little jewels...they really impress. But like many (most?) here, I am more than a bit OCD about certain things, typography and dial design among them. I a...
Your comment about the "power reserve indicator" is incorrect...
In the CO as shown here (and other manual wind pieces), the 0 indicates FULL, not empty. So, when you wind the watch it has most power when the hand points to the 0 (indicating how many hours since you last wound the watch), and the least power when its p...
Great info...thank you for that info...
I guess it is a quirky FPJ thing as that is completely counter-intuitive...but these watches don't exactly follow the norm hence their iconic status. We will agree to disagree about the type. If it were engraved by hand I would love it, but if it looks as...
The power reserve is inspired by the marine chronometers used in the 19th century
Hence full power is at 0. This applies to all FPJ manual wound watches. While a more conventional PR is used for his self-winding pieces. FP personally designs every aspect of his watches (movement, dial, typography, etc.). I think part of the appeal of h...
