Manufacturer: F.P. Journe Year: 2019 Reference No: ELHT Case No: A-405 Model Name: Élégante Material: Titanium Calibre: Electro mechanical, cal. 1210, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Rubber F.P. Journe strap Clasp/Buckle: Titanium F.P. Journe deployant buckle Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Accessories: Accompanied by F.P. Journe International Warranty Card dated September 3rd, 2019, USB instruction, fitted presentation box, and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Conceived after eight years of rigorous testing and development, the Élégante line from F.P. Journe was created exclusively for women collectors with a vision combining luxury and ingenuity. As Francois Paul-Journe says: "I created this watch because for 20 years, women have been asking me to design a watch for them; a watch that was different and comfortable to wear, and that suited their needs and desires. I therefore created this long-lasting watch especially for them."
The proprietary, electro-mechanical movement features a motion detector, visible on the dial side. To preserve battery life, the watch “hibernates” after 30 minutes of inactivity, stopping the hands from moving. When the watch is moved again, a small motion detector at 4 o’clock “awakens” the watch, which readjusts the hands to the correct time by taking the shortest path—either clockwise or counterclockwise. The dial is translucent white made with Super-LumiNova featuring black Arabic numerals, and a railway outer ring.
First introduced in 2014, the line is still offered today in both 40mm and 48mm sizes, and cased in platinum, 18K pink gold, or titanium, along with examples set with diamonds, enamel panels, or precious stones. This 40mm, titanium example comes as it would from a boutique or authorized dealer, unworn and with all its original accessories. A small heart decorates the movement side of the watch, perhaps indicating the source of the electro-mechanical movement as the “heart” or alluding to the feminine inspiration of the timepiece.
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.
