F.P. Journe surprises us in his submission for Only Watch 2021 with an original idea from Francis Ford Coppola. A interesting take on telling the time, and “Invenit” and “Fecit” by François-Paul Journe.
Press Release with commentary in italics
Commentary
F.P. Journe once again shows his inventive and ultra creative side in this new watch, presented for auction for Only Watch 2021. The use of a mechanical hand to show the hours using the 5 fingers is especially refreshing, when jaded collectors and journalists like us are feeling that there is the trade has lost the inventiveness and child like creativity. The idea is simple, and even a child can understand, but at the same time brilliant.
Execution is of course, very complicated, and a way to tell the 12 hours using just the 5 fingers of a stylized gauntlet on the dial is essential.
And an amazing presentation for the Only Watch charity auction. The suggested estimate of CHF 300,000 – 400,000 should pose no issues, especially given the creativity of this new display, and that F.P. Journe pieces have been steadily gaining recognition in auctions in recent years.
F. P. Journe FFC Blue for Only Watch 2021
2021 celebrates the 20 years of the automatic Octa Calibre 1300 in all its forms.
This latest opus is the ultimate expression. An automaton, working solely off the Octa movement’s mainspring, was no easy task. The minutes are read by rotating disk at the 12 o’clock position, while the mobile fingers appear or disappear instantaneously to display the hour according to their positions.
The fingers are inspired from a mechanical hand created by Ambroise Paré (1509-1590), the father of modern surgery.
“This watch was born in 2012 while having dinner at Francis Ford Coppola’s house in the Napa Valley. He asked me if it could be possible to tell time with a hand in a watch. I replied that the idea was interesting and required thinking about it. But how to display 12 hours with 5 fingers? It was not an easy matter and this complex challenge inspired and motivated me. Once I figured it out, Francis immediately sent the sketches for the fingers positions. After more than 2 years, I could finally focus on “Fecit”. After 7 years of development, I am proud to present the FFC prototype”.
François-Paul Journe
Model name/Reference
Model: FFC Blue
Reference: FFC
Case: Tantalum, unique case exclusively developed for Only Watch.
Dial: Instantaneous digital hours indicated by an automaton blue hand,
unique piece exclusively developed for Only Watch.
Rotating minutes.
Calibre: Automatic FFC 1300.3 in 18K rose Gold.
Unidirectional oscillating weight in 22K 5N Gold, engraved
Ambroise Paré (1509-1590) & F.F.Coppola.
Bracelet: Orange alligator strap.
Dimensions: Diameter: 42 mm / Thickness: 10.70 mm.
Number of components: Movement: 396
Functions & Complications: 2
Estimate: CHF 300,000 – 400,000
