Have you ever wanted to ask François-Paul Journe, one of the world’s greatest living watchmakers, anything? Anything at all?
Well, here’s your chance.
Quill & Pad is offering you the opportunity to have your question(s) asked during a live Q&A session on October 28 in the brand’s Miami boutique. No taboos, just anything you ever wanted to know will be answered by the famous watchmaker.
Dressed for (Journe) success: F.P. Journe Centigraphe and Resonance on the wrists of @TheJourneGuy
Your questions might be technical, about the future as he sees it, or anything else in the industry – including the just-announced Patrimoine program in which F.P. Journe purchases watches from out-of-production collections to restore and update them before re-offering them for sale with guarantee.
And, if you’re a real enthusiast you can even book a seat in the room with François-Paul Journe and attend the Q&A session live.
The F.P. Journe boutique in Miami
Another enthusiast will also be present – and in fact representing Quill & Pad and our readers’ questions: The Journe Guy, who will enlighten us with insightful glimpses into the mind of François-Paul Journe.
The Journe Guy (aka Osama S) entered the world of horology back in December 2012 and was introduced to F.P. Journe just nine months of horological gestation later.
Inside the F.P. Journe boutique in Miami
“My first encounter was pure chance,” he recalls. “I tried on my first Chronomètre Bleu and decided it was the best thing I had ever worn within the first three seconds on my wrist. Since then, not a day goes by that I have not researched Journe for numerous hours!”
He has a real love for watches in general and a passion for F.P. Journe in particular. “I strive to literally become THE ‘walking Journe encyclopedia’ to share my passion with others around me,” he laughs.
Inside the F.P. Journe boutique in Miami
His Instagram account is perhaps “the most official unofficial” F.P. Journe Instagram or social media page in existence; it is solely dedicated to F.P. Journe timepieces.
In just three years he has gone from being a die-hard fan to a friend of both the brand and the man. Maybe it’s because he sleeps to the sound of the ticking remontoir in his Chronomètre Optimum.
The Journe Guy, aka OsamaS, wearing an F.P. Journe Centigraphe (left) and Chronomètre Optimum
You don’t have to be that die-hard to take part; just let us know if you are interested in attending the session or place any questions you might have in the comments below.
We will publish a resume of the questions and answers following the live event.
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Extremely exciting! I would like to ask him the following:
Mr Journe’s position with regard to watches that have multiple tourbillons is unfavourable to say the least! I would like to know if he believes there is no value in driving two regulators through a differential (tourbillon or not), or whether a well-adjusted single regulator is always going to be more effective. I would also like to know his thoughts on titled or multi-axial tourbillons. Surely there is at least as much theory to support these as there is behind the resonance principle, for example?
On the QP the numerals appear to be printed versus applied. Surely for a watch that pats so much attention to finish this is a flaw and should either be like the CS or applied.
I would propose the following questions for the Master (from a long time Journe fan):
1. Does the tourbillon really improve timekeeping in the Tourbillon Souverain? Or does it merely detract from the beneficial effect of the remontoir?
2. What is your favourite complication? What is your least favourite?
3. The last year has been difficult for many big brands in the watch world. How (if at all) has the industry slowdown affected FP Journe? Are you hopeful for the future? What are the biggest challenges facing independent watchmakers in 2016?
I can’t remember where I heard this, but apparently he considers the tourbillon to be somewhat neutral, but it’s presence attracts the collector to pay the kind of money that is needed to execute a remontoire. In other words, a remontoire alone needs a bit of visual magic to help sell it! At least in the earlier days. Now the remontoire is arguably the new tourbillon! Anyway, would be good to hear from the master himself!
Thanks for the info Ryan! I confess that I have a slight ulterior motive: I have always thought that the Chronometre Optimum is Journe’s best piece (precisely because of the remontoir and the novel escapement), even if his Tourbillon is the most historically significant.
I am absolutely with you sir!
What do you think the best modern watch nowadays to buy under $10,000? Why is this the best for the value?
What watch do you suggest to a new person to F.P. Journe, other than what probably is the most common watch, the Chronomètre Bleu?
François, first of all, I am a great fan of your watch. It combines elements of modernism with subtle romanticism we don’t see in modern watchmaking. That being said, I was wondering what you could tell me about a design I made from the Chronomètre Bleu. It’s just a slight variation, but I’d love to hear you’re take on it! https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxav1ib2TF5nSFNhV204TkRVekE/view?usp=sharing
Thanks,
Joey
The Patrimoine program is a great first step towards controlling prices and quality of the brand in secondary market. Do you think the next step would be an official trade in program encouraging customers to sell directly to you? Also, your brand has shown stable pricing on secondary market, do you think leasing of watches will allow you to produce and sell more?
Mr. Journe your journey and your company as a whole are a true inspiration. 3 questions representing the past, present and future that if answered would be phenomenal, are as followed:
1. (Past). At what point, or enlightening event, did you decide creating a company that stands for your philosphy was the route you wanted to take?
2. (Present). As we now see the development of your new PreOwned concept respectively called, Patrimoine (also, a small side question: Why did you decide to implement a PreOwned buy-back option?), where do you see potential growth for the F.P. Journe company via such different avenues?
And lastly 3. (Future). What are your predictions for the wristwatch of the future (mechanical or smart)?
(I did not read other questionsthat were entered, pardon me if any are repeats)
Which other independent watch makers do you admire and why? I am predicting one would be the Gronefeld brothers and their 1941 Remontoir might be a season why.
From Saif Ahmad S H Al-Haidar
1. Can you please tell us the idea that let you keep most of your movements running in 3 hearts?
2. When we will see the split second competition in your great moment?
3. Can you please tell us your opinion about the gyro tourbillon?
4. Can you please explain for us about your perpetual watch, which change all the digital info for the date, day and month A momentary without the movement losing the rate and time?
5. This is not questions, just to say that I’m very interested in your art: I own a Chronomètre Bleu and dream to own the OPTIMUM in 40mm. Thank you and good luck.
My question:
Do you offer customer service for pocket watches that you have made before launching the brand?
I have personally seen Journe service some of his early Journe tourbillons made well before the launch of his brand so yes.
How come there are 35 days in a month on my fp journe octasport… Do journe guys live in an alternate universe?
My other journe seems to observe a more familiar number of days in a month
Can you post a picture of this? I find it a bit hard to believe such a thing exists!