Manufacturer: F.P. Journe
Year: 2020
Case No: 017-CM
Model Name: Chronographe Monopoussoir Rattrapante
Material: 18K pink gold
Calibre: Manual, cal. 1518, 29 jewels
Bracelet/Strap: 18K pink gold F.P. Journe bracelet, max length 185mm
Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold F.P. Journe deployant clasp
Dimensions: 44mm Diameter
Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
Accessories: Accompanied by F.P. Journe Garantie dated August 21, 2020, polishing cloth, USB stick, presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
In 2017, F.P. Journe created a unique split seconds chronograph wristwatch in tantalum with blue dial for the famed charity auction, Only Watch. When announced, it was the first time that the manufacture created a split seconds movement in a wristwatch. The timepiece eventually sold for 1.15 million Swiss Francs, surpassing its initial estimate. At the time, it became one of the most expensive wristwatches from an independent watchmaker ever sold at auction.

Like with many creations for Only Watch, brands use the auction as a canvas to test and innovate technologies to later benefit serially produced models for commercial use. As such, F.P. Journe officially released the Chronographe Monopoussoir Rattrapante in 2018, following the sale of the piece unique wristwatch at Only Watch. When F.P. Journe announced the release of his Only Watch creation, he had declared that it was unequivocally a unique piece, meaning the watch and the movement within would not be reproduced. Keeping true to his word, the Chronographe Monopoussoir Rattrapante was a completely new reference joining the LineSport collection, with a modified movement and the addition of a big date display. It was launched in pink gold, platinum and titanium.

Inside the present LineSport split second chronograph beats the exceptional hound-wound caliber 1518, further visible in all its pride through the sapphire case back. An evolution of the movement Journe used in the initial Only Watch unique piece, the caliber 1518 could be viewed as an enhanced iteration of the previous caliber 1517. In 18K pink gold, the movement is exceptionally refined to Journe's standards featuring perlage on the baseplate, polished screw heads with chamfered slots, circular stripes on the bridges, and straight-graining on the few steel components.

Preserved in excellent overall condition and accompanied by its full set of accessories the present split-seconds chronograph is certainly one of the rarest timepieces from F.P. Journe.
Artist Biography
F.P. Journe
Swiss • 1999
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.
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