FPJ CS dial evolution

[Nav01L]

I came across this video recently, which I particularly appreciated for the beautiful footage of the FPJ CS:

https://www.watchestv.com/watches-ne...n-2021-part-ii

But then something struck me as odd.

On my 2014 gold dial CS, the indexes are of one piece with the dial. This used to be a specific feature of the new FPJ gold dials, and in my mind, makes them especially cool.

As part of this process, the whole dial is ground down with a lathe, leaving only the shape of the numerals standing up. Then the dial is colored silver and the protruding numerals are sanded down and polished to regain their golden color and stand out from the background.

This results in numerals that protrude from the dial like applied numerals, but that are not “applied”. A byproduct of this is that the numerals, while shining in gold on their polished topsides, have the same color as the dial on their side walls, as obviously these can’t be polished.

Altogether a really cool technique and look that has come to define this iteration of the CS.

But intriguingly, the two watches in the video don’t have that trait. Instead, they look as if the numerals on them are separate pieces that have been attached to the dial, much like ordinary applied numerals would.

Does anyone of you happen to know if that is indeed the case and if so, when FPJ transitioned to this new production method?

If they really changed their manufacturing technique, there must be exceedingly low numbers of CS watches with the monobloc dial, as that would mean they only made it for approx. 5-6 years, while also making the standard printed dial at the same time.

On the generous assumption that they make around 200 basic CS every year across metals and sizes, that would mean perhaps 30 of these gold dials per metal and size. Over 6 years, there’d be no more than 360 watches per metal (38mm and 40mm), and that’s already a quite generous assumption.

Does anyone have any insight on that?

[Nav01L]

For reference

[Nav01L]

Here from the video, for comparison

[nyc2la]

The embossed numerals are a beautiful feature on Journe watches. You have a fantastic watch, enjoy it fully.

[GB-man]

All I can say is I recall when someone posted one here with an upside down 6 and we were all dumbfounded thinking the dial/numerals were
one piece. It was a funny thread.

[Nav01L]

Originally Posted by GB-man

All I can say is I recall when someone posted one here with an upside down 6 and we were all dumbfounded thinking the dial/numerals were
one piece. It was a funny thread.

Don’t these all have upside down sixes? Or do you mean one that accidentally was the right way around in terms of reading the dial but upside down within the dial layout?

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Nav01L

Don’t these all have upside down sixes? Or do you mean one that accidentally was the right way around in terms of reading the dial but upside down within the dial layout?

Correct I stated that wrong. It was right side up. We all were dumbfounded then realized they must have changed the dial manufacturing process. A bit of a let down to be honest as it was a key selling point on the new dials.

[Jay (Eire)]

They switched to applied numerals about 2 years ago. I don’t know the specific timing. GB-man’s comment re the pretty bad QC error posted by one owner here (misplaced 6) was what flagged this change of process to most of us. That post was in 2020 I think.

To me, your watch is more aesthetically pleasing and if given the choice I’d choose your one.

[Nav01L]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Correct I stated that wrong. It was right side up. We all were dumbfounded then realized they must have changed the dial manufacturing process. A bit of a let down to be honest as it was a key selling point on the new dials.

I certainly do agree, very happy to have the monoblock dial in mine, it’s what got me to buy the watch in the first place

[Nav01L]

Originally Posted by Jay (Eire)

They switched to applied numerals about 2 years ago. I don’t know the specific timing. GB-man’s comment re the pretty bad QC error posted by one owner here (misplaced 6) was what flagged this change of process to most of us. That post was in 2020 I think.

To me, your watch is more aesthetically pleasing and if given the choice I’d choose your one.

Thank you very much for that clarification, that’s very helpful!

Best
Fred

[pdnb]

Yes middle of or early 2019. Nice pick up! I studied and asked about the gold dial to the Maison (via email), and called NY and LA boutique about this process.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Nav01L]

Originally Posted by pdnb

Yes middle of or early 2019. Nice pick up! I studied and asked about the gold dial to the Maison (via email), and called NY and LA boutique about this process.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It would indeed seem so. Very impressed with the kind and open response I got from the manufacture when I asked them too. Just got an email from them yesterday explaining the change. I did not really expect them to answer at all, a very positive experience. They are doing a lot right at FPJ.