F. P. Journe Chronomètre Bleu, Tantalum

The polished-dial is uncommon and displays various shades of blue, complimenting the grey-blue colour of tantalum. Together, these blue overtones give the watch its name. The signature F.P. Journe style hands are off-white , and contrast the polished dial to improve legibility. The outer track holds embossed decorative arabic numerals, also off-white in colour, that vary in size dependent on their location on the dial. Between 7 and 8 o’clock is a subsidiary seconds, as seen in the Chronomètre Souverain, whilst the Chronomètre Bleu goes without a power-reserve indication. Overall, the dial layout is cleanly designed and excellently legible.

The movement is certainly independent haute horlogerie at its finest. The in-house Calibre 1304 is made entirely of 18-carat rose-gold, and seen through the sapphire caseback. The movement has two mainspring barrels in parallel, which work together, powering the movement. Most impressively, is the chronometric balance fitted into the movement, which helps to provide the accuracy that F.P. Journe has based his watchmaking around. The hand finishing is expertly conducted, mixing a combination of circular graining with sunburst and wave patterns. All screw heads are polished and all edges neatly chamfered with a Côte de Genève motif on the bridges.

This watch comes with a dark-blue alligator strap from F.P. Journe, with its corresponding tantalum tang buckle. It remains in excellent condition, and is available as a full-set, with box, warranty card and user manual.

Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.

Closer look

Brand:	F. P. Journe
Model:	Chronomètre Bleu
Movement:	mechanical manual-winding Cal.1304
Functions:	time-only: hours, minutes, subsidiary-seconds
Features:	polished blue dial, display-back
Case:	unpolished 39 mm tantalum
Crystal:	sapphire front and back
Strap:	Helsinki grey nubuck strap, dark-blue alligator strap from F. P. Journe with tantalum tang buckle
Lug/buckle width:	20/19mm
Year:	July 2015
Box & papers:	full set - box, stamped warranty card, manual

This tantalum F.P. Journe Chronomètre Bleu was purchased in July, 2015, and retains perfect mechanical functionality. The case is in very good, unpolished condition, with a small number of signs of superficial wear, consistent with use. The watch is full-set and comes on a dark-blue alligator strap from F. P. Journe with corresponding tantalum tang buckle.