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F.P. Journe

Invented

 

Perhaps he will get a laugh rather than a smile, Nicolas? It will not be Mr Journe comparing himself with Mr Breguet (see also Marcel’s comment above) but rather, I suspect, journalists and enthusiastic salesmen!

 

Invenit et Fecit ” (Latin: invented and made) apparently relates to inscriptions on pocket watches produced by French horologers when their movements were recognised as original by the Royal Academy of Sciences. Precisely how “original” these movements had to be to be so anointed I am not aware (but would be pleased if the horological historians amongst us could expand). But on the surface, the use of this inscription is another nice historical nod. How much it is based in reality is open to discussion.

 

The invention issue makes me ponder the question of what is left in horology to invent. Are we just seeing deckchairs being moved around now? Sure, there are new materials, new combinations of complications, variations on themes, such as multi-axis tourbillons etc., but have we pushed mechanical systems about as far as they can go? What will come next? Will we be happy to see (unholy) mechanical-electronic hybrids that combine the best of both worlds, or will we hang on to traditional horological (mechanical) values? But I digress …

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27 Comments view entire thread 

Then what poor suckers.....

 
By: aaronm : May 11th, 2010-16:19
Fill in for Marie Antoinette and her ill-fated lover? A

To answer that question …

 
By: AndrewD : May 11th, 2010-17:35
To answer that question we need to know who has been ordering Grand Sonneries from F.P.Journe! And if history repeats, Mr Journe will manage too slip out the back door when the revolution comes. A

In spite of all his accomplishments, François-Paul has modestly claimed

 
By: marcelphilippe : May 11th, 2010-17:40
that if Abraham Louis Breguet were alive today he would be inventing intersellar spacecraft. I think that François-Paul JOURNE is on the same level and thankfully we are all alive to witness and benefit from his inventions. These are good times indee... 

Ouch, Aaron...

 
By: amanico : May 11th, 2010-22:41
That's not fair...I intentionally avoided to mention it...

You'll have to ask Nico...

 
By: aaronm : May 13th, 2010-05:54
It was his post, and he's clearly trying to forget it A

I'm going to be subtracting marks from your essay ...

 
By: AndrewD : May 14th, 2010-03:06
... for that little stunt, Nico! There's always one in every classroom. And for future historians, here is the link to the Razor Centi Graph: click here...  

Still interested in your thoughts ...

 
By: AndrewD : May 11th, 2010-21:41
Hi Nicolas. Not sure who said this, but the similarities between Breguet and Journe are bandied about occasionally. I am interested in your comments one way or the other. You can approach it from any direction you like: watch design, business approach, co... 

Not sure it will give FPJ a smile... But since you asked...

 
By: amanico : May 11th, 2010-22:40
Invenit ...What did FPJ invenit? I'm really surprised that we could compare FPJ to Mr BREGUET. Mr Journe revisits Horology, like the Double Resonnance, when Mr Breguet invented. I find this a bit pretentious, to say all. I would not pronounce myself on th... 

Invented

 
By: AndrewD : May 12th, 2010-00:02
Perhaps he will get a laugh rather than a smile, Nicolas? It will not be Mr Journe comparing himself with Mr Breguet (see also Marcel’s comment above) but rather, I suspect, journalists and enthusiastic salesmen! Invenit et Fecit ” (Latin: inv... 

For what it is worth

 
By: aaronm : May 12th, 2010-07:04
I have in the back of my head that Journe invented some useful, if nearly invisible, refinements of the repeater structure for his Grand Sonnerie. So perhaps not "Invent et Fecit" but "Améliorer et Fecit" A

Nay

 
By: patrick_y : May 11th, 2010-23:05
I am not here to incite a forensic debate. I'm sure there are forensic experts who will find faults with my reasoning if I got into them, so I will avoid mentioning them. I have tremendous respect for F.P. Journe, I greatly respect his pieces, I've been t... 

A different time

 
By: AndrewD : May 12th, 2010-00:46
Thanks Patrick, always interesting to read your thoughts. In some ways it is unfair to compare any modern individual with historical figures as history fills in so many relational details. The impression I get is that A.L. Breguet was innovative in his wa... 

Andrew, I'm an admirer of Journe.

 
By: CaliforniaJed : May 12th, 2010-09:43
Or, more accurately put, I admire and respect his watches, and also respect what I know of his approach to watchmaking. The Essay question is frustrating, however, because IMO it invites criticism of Journe, who of course is not the modern Breguet, as the... 

Criticism

 
By: AndrewD : May 12th, 2010-16:54
Hi Jed, Thanks for your candid comments. Of course my intention is always to promote interesting discussion and not unnecessary or undue criticism. The link between ALB and FPJ has been alluded to previously by others, but I don’t believe critically exami... 

Business practices.

 
By: CaliforniaJed : May 12th, 2010-17:16
Andrew, I don't know enough about either man's business practices to comment, and I was perhaps to quick to limit the question to one of horological invention. I agree that Marcel's quote was a marvelous one! Best, CaliforniaJed

I think the statement is defensible ...

 
By: donizetti : May 12th, 2010-12:44
.... although I am SO biased. Anyway. As already stated there are clear parallels in a single individual creating a strong brand identity and aesthetics and staying true to himself and his vision through a period of long success. Designing the movements h... 

Emotion

 
By: AndrewD : May 12th, 2010-16:43
Hi Andreas, Thanks for these thoughts. I don’t mind biased opinions! Particularly when mixed with thoughtful commentary; that’s where the passion comes in. And I completely agree with you about the emotion that Journe watches generate. I have seen the des... 

This has been a very thoughtful discussion. It is a credit to all of you.

 
By: marcelphilippe : May 12th, 2010-17:53
I believe the ultimate comparaison between Abraham Louis Breguet et François-Paul Journe is a work in progress and that the historical interest will certainly be a subject of serious historical interest after we are all dust, but at minimum it should... 

I'm with Andreas here

 
By: DaMctosh : May 13th, 2010-08:11
Putting sympathetic movements into a wrist watch may not count as an "invention" but FPJ aficionados admire it for the spirit, the different approach to achieving better accuracy without a multi-axis tourbillon and well, for being just plain beautiful to ...