FP Journe V/S AP 15202? Your thoughts please.

[DGB]

Hello everyone,
I was about to put a deposit on a 15202 with a 9 months waiting list, some saying I am on the lucky side to be able to get one with AP reducing the requests to Boutique only as well as reducing the sales points worldwide.
Then yesterday I went to FP Journe boutique and saw a Chronomètre Bleu, and .... OMG how nice this watch is. It is ready available to pick up immediately, to my knowledge there is a 6 months waiting for this one also.

Both are in a similar price range (23k€), one is sport but quite delicate, the other is a dress watch, probably as delicate .

Which one would you choose?

Thanks for your reply, I know this part of the forum doesn’t see as much traffic as the more sought after watches so hopefully I will get some guidance from your kind selves.

[Timelover]

Obviously the AP

[HL65]

Tough choice both amazing watches. Depends on whether you want a more sporty watch or more dressy watch. I think I would lean towards the FPJ in this case but both are winners for sure. So not as obvious as Timelover suggests above but certainly 2 great choices so either way you win!

[JR16]

Tough one. If I was only going to get one, Personally i would choose the CB which I like better . Though the 15202 is classic and looks awesome, the lack of seconds hand and quickest date irks me. As part of a rotation, CB works better. With that said, if you plan on getting both at some point, it’s obviously harder to get a 15202 so would stay on list .


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[GB-man]

I know it’s not a real answer in most cases but I’d be damned tempted to get both if they are new from ADs at retail. Figure out later which you like best.

[JR16]

Originally Posted by GB-man

I know it’s not a real answer in most cases but I’d be damned tempted to get both if they are new from ADs at retail. Figure out later which you like best.

To me this is the “obvious” answer!


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[tonupbklyn]

Originally Posted by GB-man

I know it’s not a real answer in most cases but I’d be damned tempted to get both if they are new from ADs at retail. Figure out later which you like best.

Originally Posted by JR16

To me this is the “obvious” answer!


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+1.
had both, ended up selling the CB. was a tough choice cuz it's such a spectacular piece, but had to clear room and capture funds for another piece.

both are difficult to come by, so if means allow get both...and if/when u let one go down the line, u will unlikely lose much, if any.

[Skyrider01]

If you can get a CB immediately, go for it. Waiting lists are getting longer and longer.

To give you an idea, Geneva has a 1 1/2 year wait list. New York went from about 20 on the list in January to about 70 now. Miami had 10 in January, and about 30 now. For a watch which they produce approximately 100 pieces a year.

Due to the high demand, they are now asking people to fill out an application form. This form is supposedly not to determine who gets one and who doesn't, but to have a more accurate idea of how many people want one.

[jh8cw]

The obvious answer is to get both watches, but in case you don't have the means to do so. Core issues in this or that dilemma (that I had to personally deal with).

1. Are you a bracelet or leather strap kind of guy? Ie. how is the weather / climate like where you live? (This is also a question re: comfort).
2. Do you want to be a patron of tradition or innovation (in today's climate). In other words, what is more important to you?
3. Do you prefer having one authoritative strap on your watch or multiple watch strap options? (This question concerns color of bracelet).
4. Bonus: Consider how the watch would look on your wrist, on your build, and how it fits with your daily outfit.

If the answer is former for Qs 1-3, then AP15202. If they are mostly latter, then FPJ CB. If in-between, coin flip!

[KKO]

I was in a similar spot as you and ended up getting both and keeping both.

Here are my thoughts

AP Jumbo:
+ Amazing finishing... combo of brushed and polished surfaces catch the eye
+ More Iconic than CB
+ Riding on the coat tails of the Nautilus value surge

- Scratch Magnet. Makes me wear it less than the FPJ CB.
- Feels more fragile than CB
- Lack of quickset date and winding ratio makes it a drag to wind

FPJ CB:
+ More exclusive brand and production.... only recognized in public by other WIS
+ Polished Tantalum case feels special and holds up to scratches well. Heft like precious metal.
+ Large variety of available quick change straps makes the CB versatile

- Secondary market demand is less than Jumbo
- Lack of Tantalum deployant clasp option in catalogue

Both have amazing (but different) blue dials, about the same case size (39mm and ~8mm thickness), and the casebacks show works of art. You can't go wrong with either but if you can swing it, buy both to test drive. You can flip the one you like less rather easily.

[Theothergreg]

I'd get the CB now and stay on the list for the 15202. I'm a big FPJ fan, so would take that over the AP anyway, but you'll have a great watch to wear for 9 months and then decide which you really like once the 15202 comes in.

[galtinuk]

Both fantastic watches.

Despite the appearance, I would actually say the FP is actually less delicate. Namely because of the tantalum case which is very hard and will show scratches less.

With it's prominant bezel and extremely finely finished bracelet the 15202 is quite the scratch magnet. As others have mentioned.

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[Starwalker]

Leaning towards the Journe.

[DGB]

Thank you all Gents,

All your answers are inspiring, I will try to get both but this doubles my budget which is a bit unplanned but hey we only live once...
I’ll get the FP first, and stay on the waiting list for the AP. Hopefully by the end of the year Santa will get me the 15202.
I believe these watches will uplift the quality of my collection (I have a few 5-6 digits SS Rolies.
Thank again.
Will post pix once I get it ( if I manage to reduce the size )

[Helmi]

Originally Posted by Theothergreg

I'd get the CB now and stay on the list for the 15202. I'm a big FPJ fan, so would take that over the AP anyway, but you'll have a great watch to wear for 9 months and then decide which you really like once the 15202 comes in.

Exactly....don't miss out the chance to get the fp journe chronometre bleu. You may regret it later.

[mike.k]

Hi DGB: Thanks for your post! I first saw the CB in 2013 and I finally decided to purchase one. Right now, I'm on the waiting list, which will take a year to obtain it. It's ok...patience is a virtual. :) It's truly is a modern day classic by an owner who's a visionary. The very best, Mike K

[mike.k]

I agree. I'm on the waiting list right now and it will take a year to obtain. Cheers, Mike K

[mike.k]

Hi KKO: Great Write Up! How long have you owed the CB? Also, do you know the service cost? I'm on the waiting list and should obtain one in a year. As an fyi, I'm from the SF Bay Area as well. Recently, I requested Hodinkee to host a watch event in San Francisco. Hopefully they will. Cheers, Mike K

[KKO]

Great choice DGB. Wish I was as decisive as you :)

mike.k: I got my CB last year from the West Hollywood boutique. Those guys are great.

In regards to service costs, there was discussion about this HERE ($1400 including a new strap)

[mike.k]

Thanks KKO! Much appreciated.

[subtona]

Had the 15202, amazing and iconic watch but I found it didn't pop in person as well as in pics and the lack of better WR on a watch with a bracelet was a bit of a disappointment.
AP was very very comfortable however there is a range of wrist size that is optimum and this watch should be tried on before purchase.

Picked up Chrono bleu yesterday and I am extremely happy with it.

[mike.k]

Congrats Subtona! Do you have any pictures of your new watch?

[subtona]

Originally Posted by mike.k

Congrats Subtona! Do you have any pictures of your new watch?

I do, Watchzen on IG.
The pics I upload here become terrible quality when I reduce size.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by subtona

Had the 15202, amazing and iconic watch but I found it didn't pop in person as well as in pics and the lack of better WR on a watch with a bracelet was a bit of a disappointment.
AP was very very comfortable however there is a range of wrist size that is optimum and this watch should be tried on before purchase.

Picked up Chrono bleu yesterday and I am extremely happy with it.

Congrats my friend!

[subtona]

Originally Posted by HL65

Congrats my friend!

Thanks Ken

[mps354]

I had both, no longer have either. I regret seeking the chronometre bleu

[mps354]

Originally Posted by subtona

Had the 15202, amazing and iconic watch but I found it didn't pop in person as well as in pics and the lack of better WR on a watch with a bracelet was a bit of a disappointment.
AP was very very comfortable however there is a range of wrist size that is optimum and this watch should be tried on before purchase.

Picked up Chrono bleu yesterday and I am extremely happy with it.

Congrats Gus!

[subtona]

Originally Posted by mps354

I had both, no longer have either. I regret seeking the chronometre bleu

Did you mean selling?
I like this piece so much!

Originally Posted by mps354

Congrats Gus!

Thank you

[Rogdogg]

I would go with the CB. I think its an amazing watch.

I also think it looks very different whether on a blue strap or a nice light brown one. I think you can very easily dress it up or down by changing out the straps if that was a concern for you.

[DGB]

Originally Posted by mps354

I had both, no longer have either. I regret seeking the chronometre bleu

Hi MPS,
Why did you sell them, if I may ask?
Aren’t they keepers in your view? Didn’t you like them after a while?
Or is it for other personal reasons?