AndrewD
[HoMe Moderator]
12829
Rooted in truth ...
... with probably just a dash of modern folklore. I believe in the first F.P.journe catalogue was the explanation that the “F.P.Journe Invenit et Fecit” printed on the dial harked back to the inscription on pocket watches produced by French horologers when their movements were recognised as original by the Royal Academy of Sciences.
Clearly it was a practice of the time, as Mo indicates, for artists, musical instrument makers, watchmakers and other artisans to write their name on their products with the Latin phrase fecit.
When visiting horology museums I have looked for these engravings on movements but it seems uncommon. Most would just inscribe the watchmakers name with the location eg. "[watchmaker] Londini fecit" or "[watchmaker] a Paris".
The famous French horologist Jean-Antoine Lepine (1720-1814) did sign some of his movements with "Lepine invenit et fecit" so there is a precedent. If anyone has more examples of this engraving on dials or movements I would love to see them.
But I do agree that Mr Journe has legitimacy with the Invenit et Fecit statement. He has made a concerted effort to bring dial makers, case makers and watchmakers under the F.P.Journe umbrella, most located in and around Geneva. That long term view is to be applauded.
And of course you are correct about many talented designers, engineers and watchmakers that have been hidden under the shadows of the larger manufactures. That was the tradition of the past and still happens to some degree today.
The Wempe series of books looks great. Important to educate potential customers about watchmaking. That is where a lot of the 'intrinsic value' in watches comes from for me.
Thanks for your interesting post, Alex.
Regards
Andrew
Origin of FP.Journe's Slogan? a theory
Hi All, just wanted to share some interesting reading for a Sunday. INVENIT ET FECIT In Latin: "(I) Invented it, and (I) made it" Where does this slogan come from? It does sound a bit "arrogant", yet a growing number of watch aficionados (me included) thi...
Latin Notes like these were very common in the past..
from the 13th(maybe before) to the 19th century,you can find quite often such remarks next to the author s name and the date in : Paintings........Xauthor pinsit or pinxit(painted it) 1756(year) Poetry or Calligraphy.......scripsit(wrote it) Art or scienc...
Rooted in truth ...
... with probably just a dash of modern folklore. I believe in the first F.P.journe catalogue was the explanation that the “ F.P.Journe Invenit et Fecit ” printed on the dial harked back to the inscription on pocket watches produced by French horologers w...
John Arnold....
...often signed his movements with Invenit et Fecit or abbreviations of such. It was supposedly also inscribed on the Arnold 36. The British Museum has a page on the famous Arnold - Breguet Chronometer Tourbillon which aside from being the first tourbill...
More examples ...
Fantastic, Ben. Thanks for the link. Here's a couple more from the interweb, the Ferdinand Berthoud (1727-1807) No. 144 from 1753 and a Jean-Antoine Lepine circa 1800. ...
