Comments:
FP Journe Aluminium
Good morning dear FP addicts,
I was wondering how aluminium was used and ageing.
For cases and movements : which components ? Baseplate, bridges ?
The finishing was quite raw.
Any feedback / experience is welcome 
Thanks.
Cheers,
Dan
Photos courtesy of Ineichen Auction
Remember all ARS and CTS movements were made of the same aluminum alloy (both the original aluminum watches and the titanium ones).
So your sample size is larger than just the aluminum ARS in terms of your question.
For my Titanium CTS, which has a movement made with the same aluminum alloy, no issues to report in terms of construction.
If anything the chatter around aluminum was more to do with the case and bracelet and that a small number of people had unsatisfactory experiences which I believe was caused by skin or sweat conditions specific to them.
Anecdotally the reason I bought my Titanium CTS and the Aluminum CTS at the time, and they were essentially the same price ($3k difference), was my expectation that the titanium would be harder wearing / more durable.
What Jay says.
Remember the movement baseplates are still made of Aluminum in the CTS titanium cased pieces. I’ve never heard of any issues with this. What I have heard directly from one owner of one of the aluminum cased pieces was that his sweat ate in to the metal. He described it like it “melted” and was quite severe. The rest I’ve heard of has been anecdotal about discoloration.It is not a general issue but it was enough to change production to titanium. I’ve always found this strange as Bulgari have produced Au cases for many years (they still do) and I have never about issues with those. 🤷🏽
I was always intrigued by these 42 mm Sport watches. Some interesting production numbers:
They made them in 42mm for about 9 years since 2011 I believe ....and only 745 were made in total between aluminum and titanium in 42mm.
They made only 316 OCTA Sport watches in 42mm , with aluminum case as well as aluminum caliber, before they switched to Titanium. Of those 316, FP also made 100 in *Black* aluminum and of those 100, one stayed with FP in Geneva and 99 were sold.
Therefore only 216 Octa Sport 42mm watches were made with *bright aluminum case* and aluminum movement. However the breakdown between bracelet watches and those watches on the rubber strap is unknown between those 216.
Nevertheless, a very cool and a rare watch. And I would be lying if I didn't say that I'm also intrigued to add a bright aluminum FP cased watch with aluminum caliber to my collection.
They made only 316 OCTA Sport watches in 42mm , with aluminum case as well as aluminum caliber, before they switched to Titanium. Of those 316, FP also made 100 in *Black* aluminum and of those 100, one stayed with FP in Geneva and 99 were sold.
Therefore only 216 Octa Sport 42mm watches were made with *bright aluminum case* and aluminum movement. However the breakdown between bracelet watches and those watches on the rubber strap is unknown between those 216.
Nevertheless, a very cool and a rare watch. And I would be lying if I didn't say that I'm also intrigued to add a bright aluminum FP cased watch with aluminum caliber to my collection.
And only 72/73 titanium CTS (bracelet). Much less than the aluminum CTS.
The numbers for all as you point out are small.
Personally I never understood why the ARS (on the bracelet) wasn’t getting more love (both then, and especially now).
It’s a really great watch when you see it in the metal. It wears far nicer and cooler than any picture ever seems to show.
But the bracelet makes these watches, the overall package on the bracelet is to me much more cohesive in terms of design.
But the bracelet makes these watches, the overall package on the bracelet is to me much more cohesive in terms of design.
The way this material looks is out of this world.
The watch weight next to nothing yet feels solid. The whole thing is a work of art in a metal we would never consider worthy of this effort. And that’s what makes it special. I think there are actually few titanium pieces made but the aluminum commands a higher premium.