This is quintessentially an in both its design language and movement. Housed in a classical, 40mm rose-gold case, it is made distinctive by F.P. Journe’s signature ‘flat crown’ with a rope like pattern.

The silver dial is engine turned in the centre with a hobnail, Clous de Paris pattern, while the outer track holds the embossed decorative arabic numerals. The signature F.P. Journe style hands are made of blued steel and forms a contrast between the silver dial to improve readibility. Between 7 and 8 o’clock is a subsidiary seconds and at 3 o’clock is a power reserve indicator which states a power reserve of 56 hours. Overall, the dial layout is cleanly designed and excellently legible.

An interesting aspect of this timepiece lies in the power reserve, as when winding, instead of the indicator heading from 0-56, it goes the other way towards 0. This was deliberate by F.P. Journe, who borrowed this from marine chronometer clocks. The reasoning behind this lies in the idea that the power reserve indicator on this Chronomètre Souverain is not meant to tell you how many hours there are left, but instead how many hours since you have wound the watch.

While this piece is undeniably attractive, it is the movement that F.P. Journe is famed for. It is certainly independent haute horlogerie at its finest, as the in house, Calibre 1304 is made entirely of 18-carat rose-gold, seen through the sapphire case-back. The movement has two mainspring barrels in parallel, which work together, powering the movement.

Most impressively, is the chronometric balance fitted into the movement, which helps to provide the accuracy that F.P. Journe has based his watchmaking around. The hand finishing is expertly conducted, mixing a combination of circular graining with sunburst and wave patterns. All screw heads are polished and all edges neatly chamfered with a Côte de Genève motif on the bridges. 

In 2005, this watch won the ‘Favourite Men’s Watch’ award the GPHG (Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève), the most prestigious award ceremony in the watch industry.

This watch comes with a  nubuck strap with curved-ends (measuring 20 x 19mm), as well as a brown branded alligator straps and 18-carat rose-gold tang buckle.

Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment only.

Closer look