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16 August 2018, 05:28 AM | #1 |
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FP Journe Chronometre Bleu incoming and help for those who have not seen it in person
I received my FP Journe Chronometre Bleu yesterday and it is truly amazing how the dial CAN NOT be accurately captured by photos. I probably looked at over a 1,000 photos of the CB (primarily on instagram) while waiting for my watch to be delivered, and honestly, not a single picture accurately captures the dial.
I am posting this thread to help those who don't have an opportunity to see this watch in person to try to "help" them in their decision making as I had many of the questions below go unanswered before buying mine and thought it would be helpful to those who care about such things to have this feedback. 1. The Dial is Never Black Some photos make it kook like the watch dial is primarily either a very dark blue/black or otherwise an "electric" blue, depending on the lighting. The watch in person NEVER looks as "black" as many of the photos depict because there is always a depth of blue to the dial that never goes away. As for the electric blue look, that does exist in person, but it is much less "in your face" in person than the pictures would suggest. The dial, if you can believe it, is significantly better in person than in photos. 2. The Dial is Not as Reflective in Person as it Looks in Photos. While the reflections really are there, in person you don't notice them at all as your eyes focus on the hands and numerals of the dial so the rest fades into the background. You literally have to try to see the reflections in person. 3. The Subdial is Very "Lively" in Person. While the subdial can be captured in photos, in person, the play of the subdial against the main dial is a great juxtaposition that is constantly changing and breathing life into the overall aesthetic of the dial. 4. The Printed Numerals and Name on the Dial Oozes Quality. One of the things that almost prevented me from buying this watch is that I prefer applied numerals to painted numerals because I feel that applied numerals (or indices) help give a look of quality to the watch that printed dials don't. However, in the CB, the quality of the printing is like nothing I've ever seen before and is significantly "nicer" than say, a Lange 1815 printed dial. The printing on the CB has a three dimensionality to it that I frankly wasn't expecting. Like the dial itself, the look of the painted numerals and name change depending on the lighting and angle and give the watch a real quality look that is every bit as "nice" as the applied numerals in my other watches, and even on par with my Patek Philippe 5712/1a applied indices. Lastly, even the hands look "better" in person than in photos as they too change appearance a bit depending on the light and the small screw head/rivet in the center of the dial that holds the hands has a black-mirror polish so it too catches the light in different ways adding further interest to the dial and more importantly, giving a more "expensive/quality" look to the watch. 5. The Movement is Unreal This part is, mostly, captured by photos, but it is still far more spectacular in person. The biggest differences is that the guilloche barley corn pattern on the baseplate is much more subtle to the naked eye than it is in macro photos of the movement. Also, the combination of the tantalum case surrounding the rose gold movement is amazing in person. Also, you can really see the balance wheel and escapement wheel in this movement (I am not aware of another watch where you can see the escapement wheel so clearly with the naked eye). The movement also has a depth to it that does not come across in photos and enhances the "quality" feel of the movement and makes you feel like you are looking at something truly special. Lastly, the finishing quality, to the naked eye, is as good as any watch I own (including the aforementioned Patek Phillipe). Even under a loupe, the anglage is even and beautifully polished, with no signs of machine work, and the Geneva stripes are the "deepest" grooves I have seen on any watch. And, of course, all of the screw heads and winding gear are black-mirror polished. A truly spectacular movement. 6. The Case is Very Well Proportioned and Perfectly Sized The case is another aspect of the watch that is difficult to get a full sense of through photos, but it too is much better in person. Although the surface is polished throughout, the center "band" of the case is more "shiny" than the dial-side and movement-side of the three-part case which gives it a very high quality look.The flat part of the crown also has a higher polish level than the outside diameter of the crown so there is lots of subtle contrast to the case, without the "need" for having both brushed and polished surfaces. (Instead, this is mostly achieved between the contrast between flatter surfaces (like the outside of the crown, versus more rounded surfaces, like the bezel.) The bezel is also the perfect thickness as it is not so thin as to make the watch dial look huge (like in some IWC and Vacheron bezels I've seen), but not so thick as to make the dial look heavy (and more sport-watch like) at the bezel like a Nautilus or Royal Oak. Also, the 39mm size is absolutely perfect IMO. Any smaller and the watch would lose a lot of its versatility to be worn in non-dress watch settings; any larger and it would be less suited to be worn as a dress watch when wearing a suit. (More on that below,) 7. It Can Easily be Worn Casually or as a Dress Watch I wasn't 100% sure it could be worn as a casual watch, but the white hands, playful dial and size all allow for it to do so easily. I would wear this watch with shorts, flip flops and a nice tee shirt without thinking twice. And it can also be worn easily with a suit. Really remarkable versatility. I'm traveling today and wearing the CB as my travel watch while wearing a long-sleeved LuluLemon tee shirt and yoga pants (my standard air travel "uniform") and it looks amazing! I could never wear a Lange or Patek dress watch with what I am wearing today... Hope this helps and I'll be checking the thread often to answer any other questions anyone has about this watch. |
16 August 2018, 06:52 AM | #2 |
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Great write-up. Agree with everything you said, as I've tried this on at a boutique a little over a year ago. Stupidly...I passed on it. Kicking myself now.
Anyway, a FPJ CB thread without pics is sacrilege. Post-em up.
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16 August 2018, 07:03 AM | #3 |
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Need to upload them first, but I will. That being said, it seemed ironic to post pictures to a post that basically says the pictures don't give an accurate impression of the watch...
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16 August 2018, 07:14 AM | #4 |
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Nice thorough write-up, agree w everything you wrote! Looking forward to putting mine on a “tan” strap to give it an even more causal feel
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16 August 2018, 09:40 AM | #5 |
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nice indeed
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16 August 2018, 10:06 AM | #6 |
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Dis thread needs pitchers!!!
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16 August 2018, 10:07 AM | #7 |
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Congrats, this is a very nice watch indeed.
I wear mine quite often, I changed the original blue strap with a grey one. I prefer it to the too often seen orange one. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
16 August 2018, 11:00 AM | #8 |
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One of the nicest watches around
I have an unlimited desire to see pictures of the Journe Bleu.
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16 August 2018, 11:05 AM | #9 |
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Congrats and thanks for the thoughts
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16 August 2018, 02:15 PM | #10 |
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Congrats! What's the msrp on this watch nowadays? I think it was at $23k USD like two years ago?
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16 August 2018, 02:20 PM | #11 |
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Photos by popular demand...
Here you go!
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16 August 2018, 02:23 PM | #12 |
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New best friends...
Together at last...
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16 August 2018, 04:09 PM | #13 |
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16 August 2018, 06:16 PM | #14 |
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Beautiful,
This is significantly cheaper than the Paris Boutique. I paid 23200€ Probably the taxes make the difference. Still, no regrets Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
16 August 2018, 08:42 PM | #15 |
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Good insights, thanks for sharing. Congrats, that's a fantastic watch! Wear it in the best of health
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16 August 2018, 10:01 PM | #16 |
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Congrats. Now am salivating to pick up mine in October. Been sitting in tokyo boutique for weeks now
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16 August 2018, 10:26 PM | #17 |
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Congrats! Would love to see some hi-res marco-pics of moment comparison.
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17 August 2018, 12:56 AM | #18 |
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Congrats, and nice write up! I just picked mine up 2 weeks ago.
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17 August 2018, 01:08 AM | #19 |
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Sweet new watch. Enjoy! Mines a few weeks old too.
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17 August 2018, 01:14 AM | #20 |
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Picture of mine with it's reflection.
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17 August 2018, 03:02 AM | #21 |
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Super, congrats.
Re pricing, all FPJ are priced in CHF (or used to be) and the boutique will give you the local currency equivalent on that day. Has that changed I wonder? And since there’s some grumbling about the prevalence of orange strap pictures here’s mine on a grey! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
17 August 2018, 03:11 AM | #22 |
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It may have changed. I too paid US$22,800 when I bought mine 2 weeks ago. I remember when I inquired about the price several months ago it was the same then as at it is now.
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17 August 2018, 04:26 AM | #23 | |
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Quote:
I don’t think they ever offered that upfront as they did have a USD, HKD, JPY price in each of the respective boutiques BUT in the end they could and did sell at the CHF price if better based on current exchange rates. Anyways, moot point for you. Enjoy the CB! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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17 August 2018, 05:29 AM | #24 |
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If one strolls into the NYC boutique and asks for the Journe Bleu, what is the wait time? Minutes, days, months, years?
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17 August 2018, 05:31 AM | #25 | |
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Quote:
In the late spring there were 60+names on the list when I asked and that translated to approx 5-10years Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro |
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17 August 2018, 06:07 AM | #26 | |
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Quote:
They don't get the CB at regular intervals. Miami got 2 of them 3 weeks ago. Prior to that, they hadn't received one in 2-3 months. At least that is what I was told. Judging by the recent posts of the incomings, it seems that Geneva might have shipped out a batch to various boutiques 2-3 weeks ago. NY has one of the longer, if not the longest lists of all boutiques. They were up to around 60-70 in March. Geneva had a 1 1/2 year wait when I was there in April. |
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17 August 2018, 08:00 AM | #27 |
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17 August 2018, 08:45 AM | #28 |
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Watch porn!
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17 August 2018, 03:34 PM | #29 | |
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Quote:
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18 August 2018, 01:47 AM | #30 |
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