F.P. Journe

[QuantumOceanLawyer]

Two boutiques have told me the elegante and CB lists are closed for the time being. Resonance list is at 6 years now. Most other stuff is around 2. No more AD’s.


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[rolexpatek363]

Originally Posted by llngoc

If we go back five years, any of the watch price today would be crazy to even contemplate back then.

Just 15 months ago I was offered a 40 mm ti elegante for $8500 from an AD and now I am going to wait for probably a year and pay full price. Seems so unreal.

I was fortunate enough to come across my Octa Reserve de Marche (Plat, deployant, grey dial, 40mm, 2008 model w/ less-desirable RG movement, full B&P set) in a watch shop in Amsterdam in 2016. It had formed part of a collection from a sadly deceased customer of theirs.

I'm not exactly sure of its value, but I suspect it is multiples of what I paid back then, and I doubt I could afford it now.

[rolexpatek363]

P.S. the watch in question had been up for sale in that shop (and online) for several months. For me, I was extremely excited to get hold of a dream watch. I never thought I'd ever see one, let alone own an FPJ. The shop were equally delighted to get rid of this seemingly-unsaleable item, but they recognised it for what it is, despite its apparent unpopularity with the watch community at the time.

[flava_1]

Originally Posted by rolexpatek363

P.S. the watch in question had been up for sale in that shop (and online) for several months. For me, I was extremely excited to get hold of a dream watch. I never thought I'd ever see one, let alone own an FPJ. The shop were equally delighted to get rid of this seemingly-unsaleable item, but they recognised it for what it is, despite its apparent unpopularity with the watch community at the time.

What fortune. Well done and a very lovely watch.
I missed a chance or two to buy an FPJ CR and CB over the past 5-7 years. I’m not sad that I missed the price rise, just sad that they are unattainable. I was never intending to flip them anyhow.


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[llngoc]

Originally Posted by flava_1

Did I mention your immaculate taste in watches?

But I can align the minute hands better on the Resonance ::

[llngoc]

Originally Posted by rolexpatek363

P.S. the watch in question had been up for sale in that shop (and online) for several months. For me, I was extremely excited to get hold of a dream watch. I never thought I'd ever see one, let alone own an FPJ. The shop were equally delighted to get rid of this seemingly-unsaleable item, but they recognised it for what it is, despite its apparent unpopularity with the watch community at the time.

It pains me to still be able to search on the Internet and found Resonance listing from 2016 which were asking for $50-60k. And now even an Elegante is selling for more than that.

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by llngoc

It pains me to still be able to search on the Internet and found Resonance listing from 2016 which were asking for $50-60k. And now even an Elegante is selling for more than that.

I missed many opportunities to add multiple brass movement Resonances for $45-$55k just barely in 2018 / early-2019.

There was one fateful auction late-2019 that started the chain of events that ruined everything for me/us.

[flava_1]

Originally Posted by llngoc

But I can align the minute hands better on the Resonance ::

Lol fair enough. That was a pic literally within minutes of obtaining the piece so you can blame the rep!


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[llngoc]

Originally Posted by flava_1

Lol fair enough. That was a pic literally within minutes of obtaining the piece so you can blame the rep!


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I was so OCD about it that I spent a long time thinking of the best way to set the time on both hands so it can line up with time.gov as much as possible and still align with each other.

The non-hacking unidirectional crown definitely makes it so much worse. At least mine is better than my friend’s, the second hands on his cannot be synced. It would have driven me nuts but somehow he is fine with it and not sending it back yet.

[WatchEater666]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

I missed many opportunities to add multiple brass movement Resonances for $45-$55k just barely in 2018 / early-2019.

There was one fateful auction late-2019 that started the chain of events that ruined everything for me/us.

Haha same. Literally turned down a Resonance in Q4 2019. :) Still have the email from WatchBox offering a Resonance at what now, is a very, very attractive price lol.

[danicasi2002]

Originally Posted by Hub6152

If you really want the true FPJ then it’s not automatic. He was reluctant to make automatics at all but bowed to the notion that consumers would want them. The simplest and least expensive of them that encompass all his ideals would be the Chronometrie Souverain series.

I was in the same boat as you are in that I was very interested in the Octa Lune because it is an automatic (like Rolexes, Pateks, etc) but the manual Chronometre series is what makes F.P. Journe different from the other brands - the power reserve positioned next to the crown and double barrel movement as in the Souverain. good luck

[llngoc]

Originally Posted by danicasi2002

I was in the same boat as you are in that I was very interested in the Octa Lune because it is an automatic (like Rolexes, Pateks, etc) but the manual Chronometre series is what makes F.P. Journe different from the other brands - the power reserve positioned next to the crown and double barrel movement as in the Souverain. good luck

This article is a good read for CS:

http://thejourneguy.com/rediscoverin...tre-souverain/

[danicasi2002]

Originally Posted by llngoc

This article is a good read for CS:

http://thejourneguy.com/rediscoverin...tre-souverain/

Excellent read. Thanks for sharing.

[Just1More]

Originally Posted by flava_1

I can see an argument for a dedicated FPJourne forum as well


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I agree--Grand Seiko has a dedicated forum--c'mon !!

[flava_1]

Originally Posted by Just1More

I agree--Grand Seiko has a dedicated forum--c'mon !!

Any Moderators here who can help?


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[GB-man]

Originally Posted by flava_1

Any Moderators here who can help?


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They are very reluctant to add sub forums. Many other watch forums have a ton of slow moving sections and sometimes it feels like we need a few hot topics in the other watches section to keep it moving. I know this is personally my favorite sub forum.

Don’t forget Seiko has its own sub forum here not so much grand seiko which just comes with the package.

All that said I would be in favor of a FP Journe section but it’s not just a matter of messaging the mods or Steve. They just rarely do it and I have doubts they would for a brand as small as FPJ.

[Jabs2]

I’m mainly on Rolex Forums for the Journe content! Sub Forum would be amazing ��

[rolexpatek363]

Originally Posted by flava_1

What fortune. Well done and a very lovely watch.
I missed a chance or two to buy an FPJ CR and CB over the past 5-7 years. I’m not sad that I missed the price rise, just sad that they are unattainable. I was never intending to flip them anyhow.

Thanks, I only went into the shop to "tyre-kick" some vintage Subs they had in the window. Once I was in there, I got chatting to the lovely sales assistant about other brands. I mentioned that I liked FPJ watches, but had never seen one, at which she said they had one for sale in the shop!

[I must confess at this point that I was extremely stoned that afternoon, having spent most of the morning in a "coffeeshop"]

Off she went into the back, and emerged with the Octa RDM, full set from 2008. I thought I might be hallucinating, but after a little negotiation, the watch was mine for £18k (GBP). It's the crowning glory of my small collection, and not one which I'm at all keen to part with. Quintessential Journe dial, IMO, a bit like how the Rolex OP is the foundation for all the professional "sport" Rolexes.

[flava_1]

Originally Posted by rolexpatek363

Thanks, I only went into the shop to "tyre-kick" some vintage Subs they had in the window. Once I was in there, I got chatting to the lovely sales assistant about other brands. I mentioned that I liked FPJ watches, but had never seen one, at which she said they had one for sale in the shop!

[I must confess at this point that I was extremely stoned that afternoon, having spent most of the morning in a "coffeeshop"]

Off she went into the back, and emerged with the Octa RDM, full set from 2008. I thought I might be hallucinating, but after a little negotiation, the watch was mine for £18k (GBP). It's the crowning glory of my small collection, and not one which I'm at all keen to part with. Quintessential Journe dial, IMO, a bit like how the Rolex OP is the foundation for all the professional "sport" Rolexes.

How glad you must have been to wake up and realise it wasn’t a dream!

I tend to agree with you regarding the OP as foundational. As you have probably seen a lot of people would argue the CS owns that role but I for one just am not in that camp. I think the hard to achieve answer is one of each


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[Vince_76]

Bumping this. Is the Elegante list closed? Might make the trek to my boutique but it’s not super close.

[salnuaimi]

Heard that there is an incident between some collectors and FPJ at a private dinner as per Niko Leonard which made many collectors sell their watches as its going to affect the brand

any idea on this?

[wsrobert]

Saw the same and now very curious.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by salnuaimi

Heard that there is an incident between some collectors and FPJ at a private dinner as per Niko Leonard which made many collectors sell their watches as its going to affect the brand

any idea on this?

I’d love to know the details of what specifically happened as I don’t see nico leonard as anything but a click bait YouTuber.

[codecow]

I just came here looking for info on this. I met him at a dinner many years ago and he was quite polite back then, but it was before his brand exploded.

If it’s true and whatever collectors these were are going to sell their stuff, unless they’re trading to other collectors I’d expect we see pieces coming up at auction.

As for the brand, he’s not exactly a spring chicken anyway. Is the brand strong enough without him? I’d say probably yes.

In any case there was some controversy recently with him making a statement about Only Watch charity auctions, so maybe it’s related to that just based on the timing.

[F131F]

Originally Posted by codecow

I just came here looking for info on this. I met him at a dinner many years ago and he was quite polite back then, but it was before his brand exploded.

I have no idea what this is all about but, speaking strictly of the man's behavior, I have met F.P. several times and as recently as June of this year, and he has always and consistently been polite and humble while explaining many of his pieces and operation. I just watched that Nico Leonard video and could not make out what he was referring to.

[wsrobert]

Originally Posted by GB-man

I’d love to know the details of what specifically happened as I don’t see nico leonard as anything but a click bait YouTuber.

That’s definitely his brand on YT. But he’s also a quite prominent, international, dealer who’s obviously pretty plugged in.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by wsrobert

That’s definitely his brand on YT. But he’s also a quite prominent, international, dealer who’s obviously pretty plugged in.

Did he explain what occurred? I know many long time Journe collectors have been upset with their allocations getting throttled relative to 5 years ago but I’d be interested to hear what specifically set these people off.

There’s not another FP Journe out there so idk where they are going with their money anyways. Also they’d be selling into the worst watch market in over 5 years so they really screwed up not selling 2 years ago lol

Will they now collect MBF? Debethune? What other independent really has the breadth of catalog etc to entice a big collector. I’d probably revert to Patek if I was wealthy and exited FPJ.

[codecow]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Did he explain what occurred? I know many long time Journe collectors have been upset with their allocations getting throttled relative to 5 years ago but I’d be interested to hear what specifically set these people off.

There’s not another FP Journe out there so idk where they are going with their money anyways. Also they’d be selling into the worst watch market in over 5 years so they really screwed up not selling 2 years ago lol

Will they now collect MBF? Debethune? What other independent really has the breadth of catalog etc to entice a big collector. I’d probably revert to Patek if I was wealthy and exited FPJ.

It seems like a lot of the independents that started hitting when I was building my collection are now massively waitlisted and impossible to get.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by codecow

It seems like a lot of the independents that started hitting when I was building my collection are now massively waitlisted and impossible to get.

Who are we talking? KV? RR? RWS

There aren’t that many independents that are in the sweet spot in terms of production and breadth of offerings.

Many collectors seem to be really excited about newer brands that have limited offerings so far. Peterman Bedat, RR, Simon Brette etc

I guess you could entertain gronefeld as they seem to have a plan to continue rolling out new complications. Maybe Laurent Ferrier? Urwerk?

I feel the type to collect FPJ is cognizant of resale value whether they are willing to admit it or not.

[codecow]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Who are we talking? KV? RR? RWS

There aren’t that many independents that are in the sweet spot in terms of production and breadth of offerings.

Many collectors seem to be really excited about newer brands that have limited offerings so far. Peterman Bedat, RR, Simon Brette etc

I guess you could entertain gronefeld as they seem to have a plan to continue rolling out new complications. Maybe Laurent Ferrier? Urwerk?

I feel the type to collect FPJ is cognizant of resale value whether they are willing to admit it or not.

I was thinking KV but also MB&F and Romain Gauthier. KV and Romain both were flown out to the Bay Area, I met KV and had dinner with him. At that time something like a V8 was obtainable without too much cost or effort.

MB&F I could just order one from my retailer. The owner wore a LM all the time. They also had AP and had Royal Oaks just sitting there in the case. I think they still have Laurent Ferrier but those never seemed to hit.