AndrewD
[HoMe Moderator]
12829
Chronometers
Thanks Marcus,
I think we need to spin off a new thread and discussion on chronometer history, evolution and definitions. Clearly what we expect today is a little different what was achieved from John Harrison onwards.
Your other comments about redundant information is true. It is a consistent design across all the FPJ range. Talk about double and triple signed!
Andrew
My thoughts on the F.P.Journe Chronomètre Optimum
The Optimum has been whispered about for some years: a super-chronometer that brings together many of Journes design and engineering ideas into one watch. And now it is finally unveiled [ click here ]. And as usual it is a polarising watch, but one which...
I am still deliberating a emotional and intellectual response to the CO
but i must confess a immediate financial response of annoyance at the price tag...a precise discussion of which is discouraged, if not disallowed in this august forum. :)- will ponder over next few days... best, Horo
You just have to pick your comparisons...
Next to the AP ChronoAP, it's a bargain! ;) A
I, for one, agree
I quite like the design. It reminds me of the Grand Sonnerie, but without the insane price. My only complaint will fall on entirely deaf ears, I miss the yellow/red dial in the platinum case A
But Aaron
The Pt case IS available with the rose gold dial. That combo is there, just not stated on the release. Hope this makes you feel better! Stephen
Indeed!
it makes me feel both better and worse, since now I really need to start saving my pennies! A
Are yes - YG + Pt ...
... drool. It's the Journe signature colour combination, but forever associated in my mind with the 'early' brass movement phase to 2004. And that's as it should be I think. Classics in their own right. Unless perhaps F.P.Journe want to release a special ...
I saw it on the launch event
Hey Mate, Trust all is well. I was there at the event as you know, and got to handle the RG version that Journe wore that day. I have to say for me personally i was fairly disappointed. After waiting for this masterpiece since i 1st read about it, i have ...
Seconds
Hi Stephen, Thanks for all your comments. I know you are passionate about zero reset and/or hacking seconds, particularly on chronometers. It's a pity more watches don't provide this and I mentioned the GO in my comments, and of course ALS archieve this e...
The watch is ok
Hi Andrew, Maybe compelling as you say, but i dont know, the seconds issue really bugs at me. Especially when this watch has not one but 2 seconds hand counting out the SAME seconds. Double problems? As for the way you synchro your DS, yes that is the way...
Completely independent seconds ...
... not the SAME seconds. :-) But I know what you mean. The 'continuous' (front) and dead second (rear) displays are indeed 'locked' together, just showing seconds from different parts of the watch - the escapement and the remontoir. Fun. Andrew
I fully agree with you..
The non-hcking feature is hard to understand in a "chronometer".You explained it so well with the ruler example.... How come the hacking feature(many very cheap movement have it)is disregarded by some huge brands....all watches aimed to accuracy should ha...
More of an emotional hit for me, and of less interest from...
...an intellectual standpoint. I actually like the watch quite a bit. The one miscue for me is the power reserve. While it is very much in keeping with the Journe look, it kind of crowds the dial for me. Like you, I am tickled to death with the dead secon...
'Teaser'
When I first saw the 'teaser' image a few weeks ago I thought that they had 'photoshopped' the dead seconds display onto the rear of the watch. So I found it doubly amusing that it really is there on the rear, superimposed across the remontoir. Thanks for...
One non emotional and non intellectual question :)
Do I smell Optimum Opium on your skin (or better wrist) dear Andrew? Sincerely Damjan
The escapement seems to be like Breguet's...
.... 'echappement naturel' where one escape wheel drives the other. George Daniels in 'watchmaking' writes that the benefits of eliminating oil from the impulse areas are nullified by the increased friction (& backlash) of one more escape wheel. His s...
Performance is what counts for me
That must translate into a significant improvement in time-keeping ability, say double the accuracy over a CS or a CB which are already at (or close to) the top of my list for that special quality. Will it live up to its promise and our expectations? The ...
THE fascinating aspect for me...
is that Journe managed to realise the interesting escapement by using new (in the context of the escapement) materials that are still subject to hand-operated production and hand-finishing (i.e. titanium). There is none of the 'common' new materials which...
Doubts ...
dear Andrew, as you we all know here,we all have our weakness and champions in the futile world of watch collecting. I ve been pondering about this CO for a couple of days,trying not to get my feelings about FPJ as a brand into my judgement,a constant mix...
Fully second your critics of the design ...
... and would even add my own critical remark regarding the watch's rear side: the metal ring of the caseback is completely filled with text, without any informational content, since everything is engraved on the movement as well. There should be an inter...
I agree 100% with your points
Marcus, I have nothing to add, after your considerations. Cheers, Nilo
Chronometers
Thanks Marcus, I think we need to spin off a new thread and discussion on chronometer history, evolution and definitions. Clearly what we expect today is a little different what was achieved from John Harrison onwards. Your other comments about redundant ...
Uhm,that was something I noticed bur forgot to mention Marcus
yes the back side bares even more text and indeed a double bubble text,I wonder if its Mr Journe aestetic rule or the design department I must admit they really went over board with text with this watch(3 times the motto is way more than required....). I...
I love your last statement Mo!
Because it totally reflects what i think about this issue myself too! Tschuss Stephen
AFAIK, the Luminor Base were not certified Chronometers.
The Luminor were certified Chronometers ONLY when they were also called Marina, which meant that they had the small seconds.... But I agree with you that all the choronometers didn't come with a hacking seconds, yes. See the Vintage Rolex till... The Earl...
Excellent discussion, Mo.
You hone in on the two contentious aspects of the Optimum. The RdM is also my least favourite part of the design, but it is mainly that little red downward accent. It may be better in real life (Journe's often are, IMO) but at this point I don't think it ...
Cool stuff Andrew..
I appreciate Journe consistency in his chronometers ,but something extra in this one (as it is optimum,with a price that goes with it..)could have been introduced in that department. You can hack and reset the second hand without stopping the escapement(J...
Finally some one is singing the same song!
Dear Mo, I have read your comments, and boy do i have to say im smiling now! ;) As Andrew has pointed out we need to really start another topic discussion on the Chronometer on it's own. But as Marcus has stated, the original meaning of the Chronometer wa...
Not only that Stephen(one more consideration)
Using your ruler example ,I say that IF I want to start counting from 2 instead from 0,it has to be my own decision,not somebody else,IF I like it that way ,well thats the way I want it. I explain my concept better:personally with a chronometer I would se...
I think the "hacking discussion" would make a great topic for our ...
... technical forum WatchTec, since it is of general interest. I agree that everything that stops the balance is considered "bad" for the accuracy, including the conventional hacking mechanisms. However, as Glashütte Original demonstrated in its well-made...
Also cal381 from Jlc does the same
Plus zero reset.... Those are features that I d love to see on any chronometer. Mo +1 on the thread... Could be an interesting one
I gotcha way past clear my friend
Evening Mo, Well i think at the end of the day, all i can say is that i'm very much like you. Only thing is that MY standard is the international Atomic time, and i MUST have a running watch to be able to set to it. No wonder i love my Langes so much. The...
I really like the looks and the concept of it
for me it will also be important how good the timekeeping really is. While my Journes have kept very good times they have not been "out of this world" in this regard (for example my CS, back from service, is at +1). If Journe calls it the Chronometre Opti...
Some images
Interesting discussion ... but I thought I'd balance this out with some photos (platinum 42mm). ...
The Hong Kong launch party?
Thanks for the great 'live' pictures, Sean. Very helpful. Is it only the 42mm that is circulating? Did you get to the HK launch party? Any personal thoughts on the Optimum? Appreciated. Andrew
True to its name
Hi Andrew, I'm afraid I arrived a little late to the launch party, but I was able to have a look at the rose gold version as well, in both sizes. The consensus at the party is that the 40mm is very nice, but the 42mm was the "crowd favorite." I think it's...
the dead seconds hand on the back just seems silly
Hello Andrew, Mr. Journe's creations often confound me, sometimes delight me and usually engage me in some way, and this one does as well. Double wheel escapement. Cool. Not obviously different from Voutilainen's implementation, both of which presumably s...
