F.P. Journe Chronometre Optimum in Rose Gold

This is the F.P Journe model that is dedicated to super precise

timekeeping, it also happens to be my favourite Journe model.

First launched in 2012 it has been a constant in the collection for

over a decade, if it aint broke, as they say.

This is the rose gold variant in 40mm but wears a little larger as its

“all dial” with a slim bezel, 10mm thick and 30m WR.

20mm lugs so a nice standard size for those who like to play with

straps, but personally, I think the grey alligator is an absolutely

perfect match for the warmth of the case.

The “double” dial is a beauty set on to a rose gold base with a

framed off-white dial dealing with the time and small seconds.

FP have pulled off a lovely touch by using inner arabic hour markers

as well as a numbered minute track, a move that could have risked

looking busy but one that works really well and is nicely set off by

the central guilloche.

It is an exceptionally attractive dial, and remarkably clean given its

compact nature.

Flame blued hands add both a bit of fancy plus excellent legibility

against the pale backdrop.

The window at 10 offers viewing of the “remontoire” a movement

feature designed to stabilise the accuracy of a watch, hence its

inclusion as a complication in the “chronometre optimum”

A watch is powered by a mainspring housed inside a barrel that

delivers power to the balance spring which is attached to the

balance wheel.

The balance wheel is responsible for controlling the speed at which

the wheels powering the hands etc turn.

As a mainspring unwinds, it can lose power, particularly in hand

wound watches.

Less so in autos as they keep themselves “topped up” by motion.

This loss of power can disrupt timekeeping as the wheels powered

by the springs slow down, similar to the way in which an electric

shaver slows down its cutting speed before eventually grinding to a

halt.

The same thing happens in reverse when a watch is fully wound

and the mainspring is putting out more power, things speed up.

A remontoire (from the French word remonter, to wind) is a

secondary spring added to the movement that provides stable

power to the balance mechanism.

It regulates the power delivery between fully wound and unwound.

Effectively - constant force applied to the balance and escapement

courtesy of a remontoire = stable timekeeping that isnt affected by a

loss of torque, or as FP calls it “optimal chronometry”

There’s an indicator at the 7 area of the dial for you to keep an eye

on the manual movement and wind when required.

Note that all power reserve indicators on FP Journe chronometers

are in REVERSE.

0 indicates full power (zero hours since last winding) and the

reserve ticks down into the red zone. This movement actually

delivers 70 hours on a full wind but FP have denoted “optimal”

power on the reserve which much like a petrol gague doesnt count

the dregs left in the engine.

If you flip over to the back of the watch, above the remontoire sits

another seconds counter. This one shows “dead” seconds

(incremental ticks like a quartz) when the watch is operating on full

power, and drops to a sweep seconds display when at low power.

Its another way of checking that the remontoire is doing its business

in the back.

Speaking of back business, the calibre 1510 is made from 18 carat

rose gold - OOFT, no messing there from FPJ.

This may be a “time only” piece but it is full on drop dead gorgeous

high horology.