Double incoming!

[uscmatt99]

It's been a long time since the last incoming, over six years for my wife and me. We've been happily chugging along, she with her stainless steel 28mm Datejust, I with my 214270 v1 and Planet Ocean Chrono 9300. All 3 have been totally dependent workhorses, but were missing something... and that something is a bit of gold.

First mine. I've been lusting after about 5-10 different pieces over the years, constantly browsing the forum, and fighting the urge to have more watches than I can rotate through. It's not in my personality to have a timepiece that won't see frequent use. I'm not really a special occasion kind of guy in terms of objects, and have always preferred to put our resources towards experiences. For a long time that piece was an AP RO of some sort. I almost pulled the trigger on a blue stainless steel 15400 a couple years ago before you needed to donate your kidney to AP to get on a waitlist. But I talked myself out of it, wanting to pick up a 15202 instead, which never materialized at MSRP. Two things I hate are waiting in lines and paying a premium, so it'll probably be a long while before I get that AP!!! But I'm okay with that as the lack of availability opened my eyes in other directions.

I needed something more delicate, less toolish, at home on a strap. But it couldn't be too stuffy, had to be a bit quirky, something few around me would recognize. On the short list were a Calatrava, Lange 1, and JLC MUT moon. In the end, though, I went with this.

FPF CS by uscmatt99, on Flickr

There are several versions of the Chronometre Souverain. Platinum was out for this piece as I wanted the warmth of rose gold. I got to see both the silver painted dial and gold dial versions. I thought for sure I'd favor the gold dial, but the absence of the central guilloche made it feel a bit empty, and more at home on the Octa Lune to my eye. There were a couple of RG CS available on the forum, one of which was sort of local, so I went and tried it on, love at first sight. 2011 vintage, and in the now discontinued 38mm size. I have to admit it wears juuuuuust a bit differently compared to the Planet Ocean, but my wrist has quickly accommodated to the change. Absolutely loving the honeymoon period so far.

I dragged my poor wife along for the try on, and it was on her birthday no less. She patiently wiped the drool from my chin during the proceedings before it dripped on the FPJ, until something caught here eye. She ended up being drawn to a watch that is a somewhat bizarre combination of features to the WIS eye. Two-tone with steel case and rose gold bezel. 34mm. Thick as heck for a ladies watch. 150m water resistance. Leather strap?!? And a killer dial that ties it all together.

Omega Ladies AT by uscmatt99, on Flickr

I have to admit it works! The dial is very well done, and the color takes on the surrounding light. It's grey when overcast, and slightly brown in the sunlight, complimenting both metals in the case. I've been trying to convince her to get a rubber strap so she can bring it to Hawaii and swim with it. So not gonna happen. But it could in theory, which is kinda cool.

Anyways, wanted to share with everyone as it's a rare event for me. Thanks to those I PM'd with questions about Journe!

[Gibraltar]

Big congrats to both of you! FP Journe is a very special brand. They're still small enough that their product doesn't feel mass produced at all. The box for my CB is just as exquisitely crafted as the watch itself. The leather on the bottom of the box is nicer than most you'll find at LV or Fendi. Apparently these are produced by a luxury box specialist for FP Journe.

Surely though your post is incomplete without a movement shot!

[liu_watch]

That 38mm CS is a killer! What a great catch.

[Dana1]

Nice story. Congrats to you both

Sent from my M5 mini using Tapatalk

[SemperFi]

Great pickups for both of you. Congratulations!

[LuxLemon]

Unreal! Beautiful dial on the FP Journe

[Justindo]

Congratulations. That Journe in platinum is on my radar and I really like your wife's Seamaster with the porthole date window too.

[ap1]

[uscmatt99]

Originally Posted by Gibraltar

Big congrats to both of you! FP Journe is a very special brand. They're still small enough that their product doesn't feel mass produced at all. The box for my CB is just as exquisitely crafted as the watch itself. The leather on the bottom of the box is nicer than most you'll find at LV or Fendi. Apparently these are produced by a luxury box specialist for FP Journe.

Surely though your post is incomplete without a movement shot!

Thanks, I love having something on my wrist that I love so much and also flies under the radar. Agree on the box, it's gorgeous. Will probably use mine for storage on off days. Hope to get some shots with my macro kit soon. The one above was from my iPhone.

Originally Posted by liu_watch

That 38mm CS is a killer! What a great catch.

Funny thing is that the seller initially thought it was a 40mm before he brought it out, and I did too. When I tried it on, it felt a bit smaller than I remembered compared to an Octa Lune, but I figured it was my imagination. Then I check the paperwork and sure enough I landed myself a discontinued piece. The previous owner must've worn it very carefully, it looked almost new, and was paired with a new strap.

Originally Posted by Dana1

Nice story. Congrats to you both

Sent from my M5 mini using Tapatalk

Thanks!

Originally Posted by SemperFi

Great pickups for both of you. Congratulations!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by LuxLemon

Unreal! Beautiful dial on the FP Journe

Thanks! I preliminarily peeked with a loupe, and it looks flawless. The layout is pretty cool too, and quite easy to read at a glance.

Originally Posted by Justindo

Congratulations. That Journe in platinum is on my radar and I really like your wife's Seamaster with the porthole date window too.

You should grab one if it pops up. I would've been tempted by platinum if I wasn't set on having a rose gold piece in the stable. Regarding my wife's watch, she has a great eye, it's got a nice touch of femininity for such a chunky design.

Originally Posted by ap1

[GreenLantern]

Well done!

Much love for both, especially the FP Journe!

I have a serious soft spot for Journe.

Enjoy in good health!

[GB-man]

Double congrats! Damn I need a Journe

[Talbel]

Congratulations.. beautiful watches!

[Peterandwatches]

Smart move - lovely piece.

[SearChart]

Congrats!

[Psmith]

Congrats

[Urosfan]

Congrats

[CoveWatch]

Congratulations on two spectacular incomings!

[uscmatt99]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

Well done!

Much love for both, especially the FP Journe!

I have a serious soft spot for Journe.

Enjoy in good health!

Originally Posted by GB-man

Double congrats! Damn I need a Journe

Originally Posted by Talbel

Congratulations.. beautiful watches!

Originally Posted by Peterandwatches

Smart move - lovely piece.

Originally Posted by SearChart

Congrats!

Originally Posted by Psmith

Congrats

Originally Posted by Urosfan

Congrats

Originally Posted by CoveWatch

Congratulations on two spectacular incomings!

Thanks everyone! In particular, thanks to GB-man for the pep talk PM awhile ago when I began the hunt for one of these.

The watch is wearing quite well now that the strap has formed some curve to my wrist. Definitely a pleasure to gaze at throughout the day. This is the first non-hacking movement I've had, and I have to say it's a bit of a challenge to perfectly set such that the minute hand lines up with a minute mark on the track right as the second hand sweeps across the zero seconds mark. My OCD flares up every time, so I'm just going to keep it wound up.

I have to say these Chronometre Souverain's are quite the bargain on the pre-owned market compared to the more unique but quite similar CB. I just saw a recently serviced CB posted for 25k GBP! Glad this is the FPJ that sang to me

[eviperman]

FP Journe is always a great choice, so congratulations on taking the plunge.

It's a beautiful watch, enjoy it!