Manufacturer: F.P. Journe Year: 2021 Reference No: ELHT Case No: B-075 Model Name: Élégante 48 Material: Titalyt Calibre: Electro mechanical, cal. 1210, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Rubber Clasp/Buckle: Titalyt deployant clasp Dimensions: 48mm Length Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by F. P. Journe guarantee dated August 21, 2021, card holder, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Officially released in 2014, the F.P Journe Élégante was set to revolutionize the concept of quartz movements. Still offered today in both 40mm and 48mm sizes, and cased in platinum, 18K pink gold, titanium, and Titalyt like the present example, the Élégante is truly no ordinary timepiece.
Originally conceived exclusively for ladies, the timepiece is equipped with a proprietary electro-mechanical movement that features a motion detector visible on the dial at 4:30. Being able to conserve its energy by stopping the hands and rotors while keeping track of time, once it is moved again it awakens and miraculously readjusts to the current time by taking the shortest path, either clockwise or counter clockwise, a true delight to witness. The dial is translucent white with black Arabic numbers and a chemin de fer outer ring, and it is created with Super-LumiNova.
The present Élégante, with its 48mm Titalyt case, is paired with an orange rubber strap giving the watch a very sporty yet elegant and sophisticated look. Offered in excellent overall condition and accompanied with its accessories, the Élégante is certainly one of the most sought after independent timepiece with its superb technical innovation and classical tortue case.
Founded by watchmaker François-Paul Journe in 1999, the F.P. Journe brand is relatively young, but already is as highly regarded by collectors as many distinguished manufacturers with centuries-old heritage. In the minds of the world's savviest collectors, Journe is producing some of the finest wristwatches the market has ever seen. Mastering his craft from restoring historical timepieces, he was the first to create a wristwatch incorporating two escapements that benefit from the phenomenon of resonance — the Chronomètre à Résonance.
Key models include the Résonance, tourbillon wristwatches incorporating a remontoir and the limited edition Vagabondage series. Especially sought-after are his earliest "souscription" watches, made in 1999.