Just Because – The Best of Indie Watchmaking Seen Through the Casebacks – Part 1

Turning a watch over can be a moment of pure enjoyment. Beyond the intricacies of the mechanics of time, the meticulous search for perfection in their manufacturing, the time spent to decorate parts, the path for beauty and balance, is the hallmark of what we call “Haute Horlogerie”. We have put together some superb watches […]

4 years ago

Retrospective – 20 years of GPHG – Looking Back at the 19 Winning Watches To Date

This year will be the 20th anniversary of the Oscars of watchmaking, the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. As such it is an exceptional year: a year of change and of celebration. This year, the GPHG is launching its international watch industry Academy. The initiative will invite several hundred stakeholders in the sector to take […]

5 years ago

A Technical Perspective – Understanding Bezels and all the Different Scales

A bezel is a simple but extremely effective tool letting you perform all sorts of tasks: from timing a dive to calculating the average speed of a motorbike, from gauging your fuel supply or the distance of incoming fire to consulting the time in Japan, a bezel gets the job done and jacks up the functionality of your watch. The trick is deciphering what all the markings on the bezel or on the dial (in that case, we talk scales) represent and how to use them.

6 years ago

Industry News – Chanel Takes a 20% Minority Stake in F.P. Journe

Chanel, a high-fashion house known for its women’s haute-couture and ready-to-wear clothes, luxury goods, and fashion accessories, has been investing in the watchmaking industry – and for quite some years already. This surprising move, initiated in 1998 with Bell & Ross and in 2011 with Romain Gauthier, now goes one step further with the addition of F.P. Journe in the portfolio of brands supported by Chanel.

6 years ago

NEWS – Christie’s Sells the Unique F.P.Journe Rattrapante Only Watch 2017 for CHF 1,150,000 (Most Expensive F.P.Journe Ever, By Far…)

We continue with Only Watch 2017 and the incredible prices that this charity auction is bringing. After the unique Patek Philippe 5208T sold for close to CHF 7.3 Million, what was under the hammer next was the unique F.P.Journe Chronographe Monopoussoir Rattrapante, a watch created especially for the occasion of the auction – and not only unique in its style, but featuring a movement created only for this watch, the first Ever Split-Seconds Chronograph done by Journe, and most probably the only one, as the watchmaker said that it will remain unique. This watch just achieved an impressive CHF 1,150,000, making it the most expensive F.P.Journe ever auctioned… and by far.

7 years ago

Hands-On – F.P. Journe and Holland & Holland Chronometre Watch With Unique Damascus Steel Dial

Just a few days ago in London, Swiss watchmaker F.P. Journe, in collaboration with British gun-maker Holland & Holland, unveiled two new limited edition timepieces. The independent watchmaker is known for marching to the beat of his own drum, and these new pieces are no exception. In an unexpected twist, they feature stunning Damascus steel dials, crafted from the barrels of two antique Holland & Holland shotguns, dating from 1868 and 1882 respectively. Read on for all the details.

7 years ago

F.P. Journe Centigraphe Souverain Anniversaire In Titanium, For The 10th Anniversary of The Geneva Boutique

If you look closely, it is hard to figure that F.P. Journe is still a young brand. Of course, François-Paul, as a watchmaker, is active for already a few decades but F.P. Journe, as a brand, isn’t. It’s even clearer when you look at when official boutiques were opened: only 10 years ago. In order to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its boutiques, F.P. Journe offers a limited series, the Centigraphe Souverain Anniversaire, in a very unique materials and colors combination. After Hong Kong and Tokyo, the Geneva F.P. Journe Boutique was the third to celebrate its anniversary, unveiling its Anniversary Edition in a limited series of 10 pieces.

8 years ago