8/7/2023 0 Comments Los angeles horology school![]() That is certainly the reason why most have become friends. My life is at the service of horology and my clients, and they know that. In what way do you feel a connection to your clients? When the taste of collectors started to change, I presented my first collection in Basle in 1999 and the success was immediate.īut I had a genuine concept, I was passionate and determined and nothing would take me away from the path I had decided for myself to succeed.Ĭlients often cite an emotional connection to F.P. I have expected the taste of collectors to evolve and in the mean time, I have worked for prestigious Swiss brands to develop movement with complications for them. Also, awards I received such as the Prix Gaia, comforted me in my researches. When horology restarted in the 80ths, the first wristwacth I had presented in 1991 was not completely to the taste of consumers at that time. There were about 10 clients in the world. I really became a constructor in chronometric mechanisms at the age of 25, when I finished my first – all handmade- pocket watch with tourbillon and remontoire. Chronometry was a serious concern at that time and watchmakers were then considered like scientists. I wanted to learn everything, understand everything. I discover the intellectual process of brilliant minds from 18th century such as Antide Janvier, Abraham Louis Breguet, Berthoud and few others, getting in the hart of their creations, and acquiring a genuine horological culture over a few centuries. I guess I was at first lucky, after completing my watchmaking school, to work with my uncle who was one of the most renowned antique horology restorer in Paris. Journe, the brand, to break-through and become a leader among independent watch companies? Was there a singular event that helped F.P. Not so many watch companies offer this service. And what clients rarely know is that during a full service of the watch, we do a complete update of the caliber. As an independent it is easier for me to do so and if I can bring a technical improvement, I will of course bring it to the mechanism I have constructed. It is not a question of doing a mistake but I always try to improve my creations when necessary. Do you think it is important for clients to realize that watchmakers are not perfect? ![]() You’ve talked about making mistakes on watches and correcting them after further study. I am like Molière, I will never sell and die on stage. I am of course linked to our brand as the founder and master watch constructor but I am insisting on talking first about the brand and not about myself and my whole team work in this direction. If I only make the same things as everyone else, why bother making them? I can be proud of being one of the only manufacturer that makes the whole of its movement, and furthermore in solid 18-carat rose gold, which is even harder than brass. We are producing today 95% of our own components, case and dial included. When I create a new calibre, I can modify components as I please in no time as they are made in our Manufacture and I don’t have to depend on a supplier either. Many of the challenges I set for myself would be difficult to achieve if I depended on large financial groups, on a financial side, on a creativity side and also on a component production side. My philosophy is to make the best watches in the world and provide continuity to the history of watchmaking. Independence is in your genes it’s not negotiable. What does brand independence mean to you? What steps do you take to avoid being a founder separated from his brand, (like Daniel Roth, Roger Dubuis or Franck Mueller)? As a watchmaker, Journe has accomplished some of the greatest feats for a watchmaker, including a sonnerie, and is greatly admired by watch experts across the world. ![]() Journe as a leader among independent watch companies. Journe discusses his love of watches and describes all that it took to establish F.P. ![]() Crown & Caliber had the pleasure of interviewing founder of F.P.
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