F.P. Journe Elevates Craftsmanship with Dual Chronometric Creations at Watches and Wonders 2025

F.P. Journe isn’t just a watchmaker — the name marks a rebellion against the ordinary. Every tick of its creations is a declaration of independence from watchmaking conventions. With the motto, Invenit et Fecit (invented and made), proudly etched on every dial, François-Paul Journe crafts mechanical poetry that dances on the edge of science and art. 

At the recently concluded Watches and Wonders 2025 in Geneva, F.P. Journe wowed horological enthusiasts with the Chronomètre Furtif (Ref. CF) and a reinvented Chronomètre Souverain (Ref. CS). Both models are a refined extension of the brand's essential characteristics, with subtle refinements that appeal to both collectors and connoisseurs.

A chronomètre is a high-precision timepiece that has passed rigorous testing to meet specific standards of accuracy; it is typically certified by official chronometer-testing institutes such as the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC) in Switzerland. Unlike regular watches, chronomètres undergo intensive evaluations over several days, across various temperatures and positions, to ensure they consistently perform within strict tolerances — usually -4 to +6 seconds per day. 

Chronomètre Furtif

This 42 mm watch is crafted from sandblasted tungsten carbide with the bumper, bezel ring, and crown in tantalum. The mirror-polished anthracite grey grand feu enamel white gold dial has frosted hour markers, teardrop matte rhodium-plated steel hour, minute hands, and a white-coloured steel seconds hand. If the counter enamel is not applied evenly or is not sufficiently thick, the disc may get deformed slightly. The vitrified surface may crack during polishing, and shatter if cooled too quickly after removal from the kiln or due to impurities in the material.

Discs are laser-etched with numerals and minute tracks after undergoing thorough inspections. Then, the understated elongated teardrop hands are attached; these are tinted in a colour very similar to that of the dial, so that they appear to melt into its anthracite grey enamel surface. Running over the top of these two indicators, a long and lightweight second hand is meticulously driven in, here in tinted white.Powering the watch is Calibre 1522 in 18 ct rose gold. This manual winding movement takes 38 turns of the crown to offer a 56-hour power reserve. The second hand has been driven directly into the axis of the dedicated wheel.

This movement has an in-line gear train, a real first for F.P. Journe. With 197 components, the calibre has a regulating organ equipped with a 15-tooth escapement wheel, a straight-line anchor, a balance with four inertia blocks, and a micro-flamed flat Anachron balance spring that oscillates. Placed horizontally on the 3 o’clock to 9 o’clock axis, in the centre of the round 18 ct rose gold mainplate, it is framed by two useful indicators that complete the free space here. At 12 o’clock sits the power reserve indicator with two barrels mounted in parallel. The crown that is used to wind them also allows the time to be set, and when pulled out to the second position, it is also used to set our natural satellite that is realistically depicted in the moon phase window at 6 o’clock. The watch is finished on a tungsten carbide bracelet with a 3-row flat-link folding clasp in titanium, supported by a polished tantalum cap.

Chronomètre Souverain

This 40 mm watch gets a platinum case, lugs, and a crown at 3 o’clock. The blue guilloché silver dial has 18 ct white gold hour markers, along with rhodium-plated steel hour, minute hands. There is a power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock, while a running second subdial sits at 7:30. Conventional displays indicate the remaining power reserve; here that scale is reversed — it stands at “0” when the springs are fully wound and progresses as they unwind. Powering the watch is Calibre 1304 in 18 ct rose gold, offering a 56-hour power reserve. This manual winding movement takes 38 turns of the crown to get fully wound.