F.P. Journe

I thought the perennial alignment problem with the Zodiac was finally solved. Unfortunately not. The beginning of September has been somewhat a disappointment. Each day I question myself wondering is it or is it not aligned. Have a look and let me know what you think. In a strange way I'm not too bothered and actually feel it makes the piece that much more special. A problem even FPJ can't solve.

The Zodiac is probably the watch I wear the most frequently. It's my goto casual weekend Journe. And I love it even more since I put it on a blue strap. No rush for me to send back again. I could not bare being without my Zodiac for that many months again. I have a strange feeling that with September being a short month may allow for the watch to self correct. I'm not sure... but look forward to reporting back in a few weeks.

This message has been edited by bs22fly on 2009-09-04 22:56:03

That the alignment should be sitting in September?

Not knowing the history about your Zodiac, is it only this month that has been a problem, or were the previous months the same?

The only other watch that I can think of that has a Zodiac with month indication is the Ulysse Nardin Tellurium.
I remember it was really hard to set it as well. On the UN, the little ticks under on the month names indicate the beginning and ending of weeks. On the Journe they seem to indicate 10 days per tick, but it seems from your picture all the months are the same length. That might be part of the problem.

It's amazing how someone can fall so much in love with a brand that the defect becomes  "SOMETHING SPECIAL"with a watch that is misaligned when the brand is all out about accuracy. Are you long because your bullish or are you bullish because your long?

Just my two cents.

its a beautiful piece though

Different collectors care about different things. For some it's all about accuracy and others it may be design and craftsmanship. I bought the Zodiac because of the uniqueness of the design. At the time it was also one of FPJ's few center hand watches. With respect to accuracy of timekeeping my Zodiac has run with excellent performance. IMHO the alignment problem on a watch that was designed to be a playful expression of the astrological signs does not take away from the brand or FPJ's accomplishments. In the end FPJ is still a master watchmaker and in some ways this misalignment just highlights that he like all of us is still human.

This message has been edited by bs22fly on 2009-09-05 21:10:42

.

I certainly am on board with the general spirit of your comment. I have to say, though, that three or four days' worth of misalignment goes beyond what would be tolerable to me. I know that it isn't perfectly analogous, but would you tolerate a traditional full calendar watch where the month didn't shift until the day read "5"? I could deal with this if the month clearly crossed over at "2", and chalk it up as much to aging eyesight as anything else, but this goes a bit far for my taste. In any case, de gustibus...; it is certainly a lovely watch.

You almost sounded like you have no choice but to live with a defect and almost convincing yourself that it's 'special' or 'acceptable'?

No offense here but if you need a design, let alone 'unique' nor functional and paying a high price for it, I'm sure there're many cheaper 'working' alternatives, no?

Though I own a journe myself, a piece where many have reported problems, I will not take it if it's not a working one. I can live with slight time inaccuracy where most mechanical watches are (if you need a deadly accurate watch, well zillions of quartz alternatives you can fancy out there), but I can't image a Resonance failing it most fundamental function, I'd have ended feeling I paid for a 'word', not a function.

As much as we WIS are crazy lot, I think some of us are not crazy enough to accept fundamental flaws like these. I'd suggest you send it back or have a full refund if they can't fix it, then to live with it for a long while, worse, kid yourself that you have a 'special' piece.

Nothing personal, just my 2 cents worth..

Mech.

ps: if my patek perpectual shows a wrong date, I'd be very very upset.

he will be able to send this back to Journe when he has enough fun with this Zodiac piece.
The way I see it is, it's interesting for Brad to have this beauty having the special treatment of being spending numerous time with
Journe to get it perfected. Eventually when it is finally resolved or not fixed, it will be a statement coming out from Mr Journe
and this itself makes it a very interesting piece.
Due to the whimsical nature of this watch, I don't think its misalignment is as serious as if it happens on a Perpetual calendar.
I'm a very fussy collector and if this happens to me, I actually will have a very similar response as Brad.
But if it happens to my PLM, if the second hand doesn't rest in its zero position when the power reserve is totally gone OR if my 5970G
date gets misalign, I will go 'Beserk' ;-)
Cheers,
CL

Must admit I'm disappointed to see this even AFTER it was allegedly repaired w/ a fix for exactly this purpose.

of getting the outter disk match with the first of each month? where does the 5 days shift come from, is a question that I would like to ask? If something is jumping inadvertently and shifts it by a day here and there without you noticing. (let's say it would happen if you adjust the date in a particular configuration), you may well end up having december start on the watch when you calendar is mid january.

On the opposite I fully understand the pain of having to be separated fom the watch for several months for servicing.

5 days is a bit much though.

I  too have suffered the misalignment with the Zodiaque, returned it a few times.  Most recently, though, at least for the last two months, my alignment has been perfect, including this September.  There may be hope, but the whimsy of this watch makes it worthwhile, for me, and it is like a journey trying to decipher what will happen at the beginning of each month.

Keep us posted on October, Brad.

Best, 

Douglas