Founded in 1835, Holland & Holland is renowned for producing some of the finest firearms in the world. Specializing in exquisite shotguns and rifles, the British manufacturer is synonymous with luxury, precision, and heritage as much as F.P. Journe when it comes to watches. The F. P. Journe Chronomètre Holland & Holland is the result of a collaboration that brings together the love for craftsmanship, heritage, and precision of both brands and which took place in 2017 and 2018.
Just as each Holland & Holland firearm is meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans in London, using only the highest quality materials and the most advanced technology, F.P. Journe watches are meticulously created in Geneva, Switzerland. Both brand's commitment to excellence is evidenced by their unwavering attention to detail and their dedication to creating impressive weapons and timepieces that not only perform flawlessly but also exhibit unparalleled beauty.
For collectors and enthusiasts alike, Holland & Holland firearms represent the pinnacle of craftsmanship and are cherished for their timeless appeal and exceptional quality, just as F.P. Journe sits at the pinnacle of contemporary watchmaking.
Photo: Holland & Holland Heritage
The F. P. Journe Chronomètre Holland & Holland is a perfect example of exceptional craftsmanship and innovative design in a stainless steel watch —extremely rare for F.P. Journe— that is equipped with a dial in rare Damascus steel made out of two antique Holland & Holland gun barrels from 1868.
Each of these gun barrels is over one century old, and the know-how that went into making them has been since forgotten but rescued somehow in this collaboration between the two brands. Always in search of something exceptional, unique, and innovative, F.P. Journe saw the possibility of including these barrels in a unique watch series with a powerful reference to ancient traditions.
The two gun barrels were registered by hand in the company’s books under Barrel No. 1382, dating to 1868 —which yielded 38 dials— and Barrel No. 7183, dating to 1882 which yielded 28 dials.
The F. P. Journe Chronomètre Holland & Holland watch was meticulously handcrafted in a limited edition of 28 pieces, ensuring exclusivity and uniqueness for every owner. The brand's dedication to precision engineering and attention to detail have earned it a loyal following among watch enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.
To produce the dials, the gun barrels were first cut along their entire length at the Holland & Holland factory and rolled out to form flat strips. Then, these flat strips were cut into smaller strips, which could then be cleaned, polished, and reduced to the required thickness.
The material was then sent to F.P. Journe’s dial makers, ‘Les Cadraniers de Genève’ where the dials were cut out. Then, they were sent back to Holland & Holland to be ‘browned’, which is a traditional gun-making technique that helps protect the steel and highlights the wonderful patterns created during the original manufacture of Damascus barrels. Therefore, each dial has a unique pattern making each watch even more unique. The readability of the dial is super thanks to the cream-colored stainless steel hands.
The F.P. Journe Chronomètre Holland & Holland is cased in a 39 mm stainless steel case that embodies a perfect blend of technical innovation and classic design elements. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this timepiece showcases the brand's expertise in haute horology. The exquisite dial is as unique as it gets, while the precise movement within ensures exceptional timekeeping accuracy. With its understated yet sophisticated aesthetic, the F.P. Journe Chronomètre Holland & Holland is a true testament to the brand's commitment to craftsmanship and excellence in watchmaking and only accessible to collectors through an application process.
Turning the watch over reveals the manual wound F.P. Journe Calibre 1304 in 18K rose gold with a very special Holland & Holland engraving around the two mainspring barrels in parallel that guarantee a power reserve of 56 hours when the movement is fully wound after giving it 38 turns via the crown.
The F.P. Journe Calibre 1304 is a 161-part and 22-jewel manual wound movement that is exquisitely decorated with a partly circular-grained baseplate, sunburst finishing, polished screw heads, chamfered slots, and pegs with polished rounded ends.
Considered one of the most rare watches by F.P. Journe—as the brand rarely collaborates with any other brand—, this is a rare bird in all the sense of the word. If you find one, expect to pay anywhere around USD 180,000-220,000 based on the availability of boxes and papers and the overall condition of the watch.
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