There are secret societies and then there is the Journe Society. The one and only watch ‘lunatic’ secret club that we know about. So secret and so exclusive that the only way to join is by buying an insane number of timepieces from the man himself, monsieur François-Paul Journe. You can join many private clubs and societies by filing an application, getting approved, and paying the dues, but when it comes to the Journe Society, you will be vetted by François-Paul Journe and other existing founding members before you can even aspire to be part of it.
From what we’ve heard from members —top Journe collectors around the globe— you have to swear secrecy and even sign NDAs about the members and all sensitive information about the society.
But what comes with being part of this club? Well, obviously special watches like the Journe Society Chronometer that we have here and that you can’t purchase anywhere unless you are part of the Journe Society.
F.P. Journe Society Chronometer is pretty much a Chronomètre Souverain in 40 mm and made of a special gold alloy called ‘straw-gold’ which is a combination between yellow and white gold and its hue varies depending on lighting conditions. Pretty much like a washed-out ‘faded’ yellow gold Journe.
This special watch for members only comes with a gorgeous matte dark blue dial with guilloché 'Clous de Paris’ center and the ultimate complication for a club of ‘watch lunatics’, a moon phase that is controlled via the crown. Today, there is no other regular production F.P. Journe that offers this layout and this complication. White Arabic numerals, white hands, and a snailed running seconds subdial between 7 and 8 o’clock complete the look.
Now, even as special and exclusive as this watch is, the moon phase disc is somehow too dark that at times it seems to disappear and the moon indication ends up being useless. But oh well, who cares about that when the Journe Society Chronometer is so special that only a few people in the world will ever get to own one. And to make the watch even more special, the case back bezel is engraved with the member’s name and the words ‘F.P. Journe Society.’
Its beating heart, the in-house manual wound calibre 1304 —modified to include a moon phase indication— which is fully visible via the display case back. This beautiful movement made in 18K rose gold beats at a frequency of 21,600 vph and is composed of 164 parts. The movement features two barrels in parallel, No. 8 escapement, and a balance with four inertia weights. The movement includes the inscription ‘Society Chronometer’ to differentiate it from other 1304 calibres. When fully wound the movement provides a power reserve of 56 hours.
The F.P. Journe Society Chronometer is typically delivered on a dark navy blue strap but what would it be of an F.P. Journe watch without that iconic honey colored alligator strap to make the watch pop a little bit more. A special club, a special watch and a ‘not so secret’ society that many aspire to join one day.
Sticker Price Not Available. Now, based on the rarity of this watch, we guess that one wouldn’t sell for less than high six figures and only if a member even dared to let his go, risking being banned for life by the brand and kicked out of the Journe Society. Honestly, not sure anyone would ever dare to take that risk. A rare bird in its true form.
For more info on F.P. Journe click here.
