RECOMMENDED READING: Here's an introduction to F.P. Journe, with everything you ever wanted to know
F.P. Journe is an interesting case in the expanding landscape of independent watchmaking. For a watchmaker that produces around 900 pieces per year, the brand is seen in all the right places, regularly winning prizes at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, and producing a watch for the Only Watch charity auction for its last three editions. But what can be a little confusing is just how the brand structures its collections – for that, here’s an introduction to F.P. Journe. Watches from F.P. Journe can basically be broken down into three collections: the Souveraine Collection, the Octa Collection and the Linesport Collection. These three collections cover everything from more simple time-only watches, to minute repeaters and perpetual calendars, but are united through a consistent design language. Round case shapes, asymmetric dial layouts and highly stylised numerals are all a part of the blueprint that makes an F.P. Journe recognisable across the room, despite there being fewer than 20,000 of them in existence (half of the annual production of Audemars Piguet). For a full introduction to F.P. Journe, The Hour Glass (who are the sole stockist of F.P. Journe in Australia) has published a piece that goes into some good…
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There’s always one that started it all. The first taste that starts the passion. Like the first dunk that lit the flame in Jordan’s heart. The first moment Phelps touched the end of a pool and knew he loved to win. Or the first piece in your collection that opened your eyes to the variety and complexity involved in the pursuit of good watches. For Jean-Paul, this was his first. A stunning Breitling Transocean ref. 1461 semi-perpetual calendar, that he picked up on his honeymoon in New York City. After four visits to the Wempe boutique, he decided to pull the trigger, and hasn’t looked back since. The fact that you can put this many complications in a watch that small, and it’s also a watch you don’t see every day. I’m very happy with it. Wear it in good health, Jean-Paul.
Editor’s note: In the last few years Montblanc has made quite the pivot away from the dressier end of the watch spectrum, to some sportier, more robust models. Case in point, the Montblanc TimeWalker Manufacture Chronograph from a few years ago now. While Montblanc is not a mainstream chronograph brand, with watches this smart, it’s certainly worth a look … Earlier this year I had a chance to have a look at Montblanc’s pre-SIHH offerings in scenic Wyoming, including this smart new evolution of the TimeWalker, the TimeWalker Manufacture Chronograph. There are two big changes to this 43mm sports chronograph; let’s start with the most obvious first. The dial. Instead of the black or silver tones of the existing TimeWalker chronos, this time we get some added vintage style, in the form of the ever-popular ‘panda’ dial (so named because the black on white layout looks a little like the endangered bear). The matt dial finish has a slight creamy look, in line with the retro vibe that’s going on here. The small seconds subdial has the inlaid Montblanc star. You’ll also notice the ceramic bezel is now fixed, and shows a tachymeter scale instead of a 12-hour readout. All…
Last night I went to see the new Quentin Tarantino film, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, and while plot tension and A-grade acting kept me on the edge of my seat, I was kept guessing by what Brad Pitt’s character was wearing on his wrist. So what was Brad Pitt’s watch? As the movie progressed, I could tell it was a gold watch, worn on a bund strap, and it was a chronograph of some kind in a bullhead configuration (with the pushers at the top of the watch). But the brand escaped me. Was it a Seiko? A Lemania? I wasn’t able to confirm, so I rushed from the cinema once the film finished, and found there were a few others who were interested in Brad Pitt’s watch as well. As it turns out, the watch was a Citizen 8110 chronograph, an interesting choice for a watch, not only because of how specific the piece was, but also because it was period incorrect. As Worn & Wound reported, the watch worn by Brad didn’t exist in 1969, the year Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is set, and wasn’t released until 1972. A minor oversight by Mr Tarantino…
Editor’s note: The two-tone watch seems to be having a resurgence of late, especially in the design studio of Tudor. While we first saw this in a subdued black dial Tudor S&G, the following year they gave us a champagne dial, and this year a two-tone chronograph on a bund strap no less. But two-tone watches aren’t always easy to pull off, with the spectre of the ’80s looming large in the peripheries of people’s minds. To help you reconcile your desire to buy a two-tone watch, and your discomfort with Wall Street stereotypes, we have created a handy guide for you on how you can approach this bi-colour problem. Now, if you’ve watched my review of the Tudor S&G you’ll know that I’m #team2tone all the way, but the thing is, I don’t *really* know how to wear it. I mean, I think I’d be OK in more formal settings — just pair it with a suit and away you go, but in every other part of my life — not so sure. I’ve got two-tone anxiety, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. Because, much as we’re all aware that the mix of precious and plain metals…