.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
The Chronomètre Bleu, which collectors often call 'CB', has become a cult favorite in modern independent watchmaking. Its appeal lies in the striking combination of an unconventional case material and a highly distinctive dial, setting it apart as one of the most recognisable creations of modern horology.
The case is crafted from tantalum, a rare metal distinguished by its unique blue-grey hue. Rarely used in watchmaking due to the extreme difficulty of machining it, tantalum requires exceptionally high temperatures to be shaped and finished. Once mastered, however, it offers remarkable durability and outstanding resistance to corrosion, contributing both to the watch’s technical appeal and its singular aesthetic.
François Paul Journe
François-Paul Journe was born in Marseille in 1957 and went to the Paris School of Watchmaking, where he graduated in 1976. He started his career working with his uncle, a well-known restorer of old clocks and watches, where he developed a deep understanding of historical horology.
Prior to establishing his own brand, Journe restored some of the most important timepieces in existence, created bespoke pocket watches, and developed complications for leading watch manufacturers. In 1996, he founded a workshop in Geneva dedicated to designing and producing movements for other brands. Three years later, in 1999, he launched his own line under the signature 'F.P. Journe Invenit et Fecit', marking the beginning of one of the most influential independent watchmaking maisons of the modern era.
The case is crafted from tantalum, a rare metal distinguished by its unique blue-grey hue. Rarely used in watchmaking due to the extreme difficulty of machining it, tantalum requires exceptionally high temperatures to be shaped and finished. Once mastered, however, it offers remarkable durability and outstanding resistance to corrosion, contributing both to the watch’s technical appeal and its singular aesthetic.
François Paul Journe
François-Paul Journe was born in Marseille in 1957 and went to the Paris School of Watchmaking, where he graduated in 1976. He started his career working with his uncle, a well-known restorer of old clocks and watches, where he developed a deep understanding of historical horology.
Prior to establishing his own brand, Journe restored some of the most important timepieces in existence, created bespoke pocket watches, and developed complications for leading watch manufacturers. In 1996, he founded a workshop in Geneva dedicated to designing and producing movements for other brands. Three years later, in 1999, he launched his own line under the signature 'F.P. Journe Invenit et Fecit', marking the beginning of one of the most influential independent watchmaking maisons of the modern era.