F.P. Journe

Hi guys, newbie here and looking to buy my first FPJ! As this is my first foray into the brand, I am most interested in pieces towards the more simplistic end. The pieces that appeal to me the most visually are the CS red gold with gold dials and Lune platinum. My questions for you guys are:

I would prefer CS. However my first FPJ is Octa Automatique Reserve 38 mm because I needed a date watch. Later on I acquired a CS for my collection.

But the followings are my PERSONAL principles:
1) Sport vs Dress
2) any complications you want
3) Dial: indexes, hands, color, material, guilloche ...
4) case: material, shape of lugs, size, crown...
5) movement: CS has double barrels, hidden gear chains, nice finishing ...
6) Budget
7) Resell value

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Your words come off more as a rebuke than helpful. Something tells me you have given this type of reply before. This is a new FPJ enthusiast and probably needs encouragement more than a lecture.

I've received countless lectures in my life. Some were a little painful. But all were filled with truth. Frankly, I wouldn't have learned as much as I have over the years without some of these painful lectures. I recall our conversation very clearly and it pained me that you interpreted it as less than optimal. Last of all; this new FPJ enthusiast needs more guidance than encouragement. Encouragement from someone who isn't very familiar with his wants and needs is just pushing him in one direction based on no real understanding of the individual. This original poster maybe didn't realize this important logic. I am not an entourage member cheering on this new member to buy something when I know nothing about the new member (often a reason why some sports stars get into financial trouble). I am trying to be that helpful individual to provide guidance. A lawyer often rebukes his client, tells his client they're doing the wrong thing, and sometimes even hits the table... The lawyer does this because that's being "constructive" and it prevents the client from making a big mistake. In the end, ultimately my opinion is just one more opinion for the new poster to consider. It's not exactly what he asked for, it's out of the box of what he asked for, but it's definitely stated with his best intentions in mind. It isn't even meant to be lecturing, it's more of a logical presentation. If I had asked such a question and a similar answer, I would be open-minded enough to accept this as an answer even though my answers were outside of the two choices the original poster provided. Question: Should I wear blue or brown clothes this holiday season? Answer from me: Neither, consider red AND green clothes!

Cheers Patrick I understand your viewpoint. I am usually decisive enough to not ask strangers for advice but I have heard good things about this forum being open to newbies like me. I can actually see many answers here that are super helpful. My biggest motivation was to: a) learn about everyone's personal journey to their first FPJ piece and b) equip myself with much as knowledge as possible before I walk into my AD in March, which is the time they restock their absolutely empty display cabinets.

To be honest I am not just new to FPJ but new to watches in general, the hobby only starting two years ago. Even if your post can sound like a lecture (lol), I am better informed after reading it. Thanks for that!

It is totally difficult to get good advice, so I understand the need for someone new to watches to want a guiding hand. The salesperson at an AD might not know enough about the product to provide sound advice (although they generally will give advice on sizing). The Boutique will definitely provide the fuller experience, but with Coronavirus, it's totally understandable that you don't want to travel.
A) Everyone's personal journey may be a bit different, but for most people, I would say they're drawn to FPJ because of it's very French design and approach to watchmaking. The case is perfectly ornate but not overdone. The watches are slim yet elegant. The dials are unique with their subdials, frames around the subdials, and screws (for the models that feature multi-part dials). FPJ was first put on my radar through my mother who found the thin and elegant design appealing, she then went inside the FP Journe boutique and became a fan once she learned that the movement was finished to a high degree (one of her personal requirements for high horology). I had heard of the brand but wasn't very familiar with it, since her urging more than a decade ago, I've thoroughly studied the product and have become a fan of the brand!
B) Whenever you buy a product, you should always ask the salesperson what are the biggest flaws of the product. An honest and knowledgeable salesperson should provide a solid reason as to why you should not buy the product. However, most salespeople are afraid to shoot themselves in their own foot and lose their commission. If you meet a salesperson who cares about your happiness first to the point that he's willing to lose the sale, you've found someone golden. A critically thinking salesperson may say something along the lines of... "At this authorized dealership, we have many collectors whom are pleased with their FPJ products, however, I don't know if they actually wear them on a daily basis since many of them own multiple timepieces, therefore, it's difficult to ascertain long-term daily-wear reliability; these FPJ watches are built like Aston Martins, they're made in extremely small series production, it's difficult to say if an Aston Martin is a reliable daily use car because the sample size of daily-driven Aston Martins is fairly small. Reliability speaking, I wouldn't expect an FPJ to be as perfect as a Rolex, but this FPJ is made much more like a work of art, so expectations need to be adjusted."
Good luck. It's kind of hard to make a big mistake with these two, so chances are you'll be happy with either one. The bigger question is if one would make you happier.

I am from Australia and international travel is explicitly not allowed right now. Our border lockdown has kept us in better shape than most of the world so can hardly complain. Once restrictions lift it will be first flight to Tokyo boutique.

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Where i buy it doesn’t matter if the watch is honestly and ok.
My choice for the first would be an Octa S in 42mm.

Most important I think is that you get as much hands on exposure to both of these pieces, and as many others, as possible. If the Boutique or AD can't facilitate this with stock then I suggest asking the people at either place to arrange for another collector to come to the Boutique or AD and show you their own pieces.  I have done this before for pieces which were never in stock.  Any good sales rep should be able to arrange this for you and if they can't then go somewhere that will.  

I was not aware that is even possible. Will give it a go!

I hope this could be the route to get hands on with some pieces.
What else is in your collection today? The Overseas as you shared, and you mentioned Rolex too?

Not that I am aware of... I am in Sydney, Australia.

I also have a Rolex Explorer I and a JLC Master Control Date, amongst some earlier mistakes like Tag and Baume et Mercier.

Also, check out The Fifth Wrist. I think those folks are local to you (same country) and may be able to help you connect with other collectors down under,

Will reach out to Melbourne and see what’s happening. Thanks!

Yeah so where I am from, as long as you can prove ownership for over 12 months, you don't have to pay duties. My family can hang onto the watch for a while for me to eventually pick it up Will not dare to try actual importing... Don't have the stomach for it
I do wish to own many FPJs in the future! I think I made that decision the first time I saw a piece in person, a 42mm Quantieme Perpetuel in Platinum. Sure times may change, but building a collection is definitely a goal.

I never buy a watch without handling it first. When I see a watch in a picture, I have a reasonable idea of how it will wear on my wrist, but I’ve been surprised enough times to know that there’s simply no substitute for trying a watch (any watch) on before I buy it.

This then goes to your question about size considerations, which for me has always been well-served by trying on in person. I have a CB and on my wrist it wears much larger than 39mm, but I also have an Octa Sport and it feels much smaller than 42mm. At this level, I personally wouldn’t feel comfortable with anything less than 100% certainty that the watch is the right fit for me.

If you don’t have ready access to try them on, if you tell us your wrist size or post some similar dress watches on your wrist, it might give us a better sense of size and fit and maybe it’ll help us make some more informed recommendations, though I’ll stick to the point that nothing takes the place of trying something on yourself.

I hope that helps—again, welcome and good luck!

Appreciate that. I think many members feel it is silly to purchase without seeing and I think I will follow that advice sincerely. This will actually be my first dress watch. I have been a Rolex fan since beginning of the hobby and it feels pretty liberating not wanting a no-date sub anymore. I do have a pic of my largest watch on wrist: https://imgur.com/a/pBbvqIK, a VC 42.5mm OS Gen2. My wrist size is 18cm.

I was fortunate to acquire an FPJ CB prior to the piece becoming extremely difficult to source.  

 

In terms of how I decided on the specific FPJ, I feel this is specific to each individual in terms of what type of timepiece, complication, metal, etc. he/she is looking for.  In my specific instance, when I started looking at FPJ I had acquired a number of other complications from other manufacturers and was looking for a time-only watch that could be used for both semi-formal occasions (business casual work) and leisure (shorts or jeans with t-shirt). 

 

With regards to size, I would highly recommend that you try on the timepiece prior to purchase.  Some watches will be 40 mm but look bigger while you may also have a piece that is 42 mm that appears smaller on your wrist. 

 

Having a relationship with the Boutique would be helpful in the future for limited edition pieces.  I have also purchased watches from my local AD (not FPJ) that helped secure other watches that were more difficult to source.  In the case of my FPJ CB, I purchased directly from the Boutique and the experience (pre/post sales) was very smooth and pleasant.  

Point taken with handling the piece before purchasing. I think there is wide consensus here that anything else is bit foolish.
Yeah buying either piece at my AD will elevate me to "VIP" status, which will help me get access to other brands too. Since getting into FPJ it is the only brand I can think about so it doesn't really matter. Or so I say now, haha. Thank you for your very helpful advice!

I think you got some good feedback from some of our members. I see you are located in Australia. FPJ are represented by a retailer in Sydney. You can find the info on the FPJ website. 

I have just made my first FPJ purchase without seeing it, basically against everyone’s advice there. Will post photo when the watch is with me.

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I would actually be one of the few to say that trying on an FPJ is probably less important than almost al other brands. For one, Journe is known for being eminently wearable and it’s not like trying on a royal oak or a datograph. If the CB was 38 or 40 instead I’m sure I’d still have wanted it. Instead the primary factor would probably be design - if you like the design then there’s nothing else out there quite like it. 

On the boutique vs ad, I don’t think this is close either if you’re in Sydney. Building a relationship with hour glass is far more valuable since you a) actually live there and b) I guarantee you’ll develop an interest in other independents such as mbnf and de bethune and guess what; only hour glass stocks them in Sydney. You may have romantic visions of jet setting frequently to the Tokyo boutique and getting the full VIP service, but being realistic the day to day benefits of being ingratiated with hour glass Sydney are much greater (get invited to events you can actually go to, have a first look at a daytona, have a sales rep you can communicate with regularly in English). And hour glass isn’t just any AD, it’s one of the best in the world. 

As for what went into thinking about which first Journe I wanted, I was drawn to the design as alluded before and the asymmetry and in particular wanted the RDM. I ended up going with a CB though due to availability; in hindsight though it probably should have been my first choice as it’s by far the most versatile and flexible for regular wear. In this day and age, strapping on a dressier watch is less and less likely, and however impressive that watch is , infrequent likely use is a big drawback to consider and Journe is a dressy brand by nature. So I’d consider whether an octa lune for example is in practice too dressy compared to a sports Journe. Good luck! 

This was the way I was leaning, I was so impressed by the aesthetics of the CS and willing to pay for it without seeing one. Luckily, hourglass couldn’t order for me (still newish relationship) so either way I have to wait until March for first peek.

Yes I get you what mean. Considering how fast I came to ditch my appreciation for Rolex sports models in favour of FPJ, I am concerned with how volatile my taste might be in the future. I completely agree with your advice and will pursue to strengthen my ties with HG. I actually just bought something today so consider it actioned

Not sure if they still have it but time keeper in the strand had a CS last year - could ask and try it on if they do. They just sold a CB recently for 80 odd.