F.P. Journe

A genius in fine watchmaking, F. P. Journe is known for mind-blowing inventions whilst constantly seeking perfection in complicated watches. His hard work throughout the years was well acknowledged by the horological community for being the first to win the celebrated Aiguille d’Or prize three times, and the current Centigraphe was the collection that made his crown for the 3rd time.

The Centigraphe was created when Francois-Paul Journe and collector Jean Todt, who was at the time the executive director of Scuderia Ferrari, met through the ICM foundation. It was crafted with the aim of developing the ideal chronograph for the world of car racing. For this watch, Journe had also decided that 30% of the profits would be donated to the Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ‘ICM’.

Instantly recognisable, the three-register chronograph on the dial are the signature of this remarkable collection, the first hand-wound wristwatch to measure elapsed times from 100th of a second to 10 minutes. An interesting feature of F. P. Journe’s movement structure, the chronograph complication isolates itself with the timekeeping segment, making a brilliant design to ensure the accuracy of time keeping while the chronograph is running. Unlike other conventional watches, the chronograph in the watch can be triggered by an ergonomic system with a rocker arm where it can also reduce the slight energy loss and inaccuracy upon activation.

Housing the magnificent movement is an elegant and classic platinum case with a complementing silvered dial. A master class for innovative chronographs, the present watch accompanied by its papers and original box with outer packaging remains one of the best collectible timepieces for years to come.