Interview with the Founder of F.P. Journe

Crown & Caliber had the pleasure of interviewing founder of F.P. Journe, Francois-Paul Journe. Journe discusses his love of watches and describes all that it took to establish F.P. Journe as a leader among independent watch companies. As a watchmaker, Journe has accomplished some of the greatest feats for a watchmaker, including a sonnerie, and is greatly admired by watch experts across the world.

What does brand independence mean to you? What steps do you take to avoid being a founder separated from his brand, (like Daniel Roth, Roger Dubuis or Franck Mueller)?

Independence is in your genes; it’s not negotiable. My philosophy is to make the best watches in the world and provide continuity to the history of watchmaking. Many of the challenges I set for myself would be difficult to achieve if I depended on large financial groups, on a financial side, on a creativity  side  and also on a component production side. When I create a new calibre, I can modify components as I please in no time as they are made in our Manufacture and I don’t have to depend on a supplier either. We are producing today 95% of our own components, case and dial included. I can be proud of being one of the only manufacturer that makes the whole of its movement, and furthermore in solid 18-carat rose gold, which is even harder than brass. If I only make the same things as everyone else, why bother making them?

I am of course linked to our brand as the founder and master watch constructor but I am insisting on talking first about the brand and not about myself and my whole team work in this direction. I am like Molière, I will never sell and die on stage.

 

You’ve talked about making mistakes on watches and correcting them after further study. Do you think it is important for clients to realize that watchmakers are not perfect?

It is not a question of doing a mistake but I always try to improve my creations when necessary. As an independent it is easier for me to do so and if I can bring a technical improvement, I will of course bring it to the mechanism I have constructed. And what clients rarely know is that during a full service of the watch, we do a complete update of the caliber. Not so many watch companies offer this service.

 

Was there a singular event that helped F.P. Journe, the brand, to break-through and become a leader among independent watch companies?

I guess I was at first lucky, after completing my watchmaking school, to work with my uncle who was one of the most renowned antique horology restorer in Paris. I discover the intellectual process of brilliant minds from 18th century such as Antide Janvier, Abraham Louis Breguet, Berthoud and few others, getting in the hart of their creations, and acquiring a genuine horological culture over a few centuries. I wanted to learn everything, understand everything. Chronometry was a serious concern at that time and watchmakers were then considered like scientists.  I really became a constructor in chronometric mechanisms at the age of 25, when I finished my first – all handmade- pocket watch with tourbillon and remontoire. There were about 10 clients in the world. When horology restarted in the 80ths, the first wristwacth I had presented in 1991 was not completely  to the taste of consumers at that time. Also, awards I received such as the Prix Gaia, comforted me in my researches. I have expected the taste of collectors to evolve and in the mean time, I have worked for prestigious Swiss brands to develop movement with complications for them. When the taste of collectors started to change, I presented my first collection in Basle in 1999 and the success was immediate.

But I had a genuine concept, I was passionate and determined and nothing would take me away from the path I had decided for myself to succeed.

 

Clients often cite an emotional connection to F.P. Journe timepieces. In what way do you feel a connection to your clients?

My life is at the service of horology and my clients, and they know that. That is certainly the reason why most have become friends. But I know all my clients, what they want and I know when I create a new watch who will buy it. Our Boutiques keep record of our clients taste, desires, wishes, and a card for their birthday is certainly appreciated.

 

Although it rarely increases by a great deal, what is your current annual production?

We are still producing less than 900 watches per year. Our goal is not to increase our production but continue to produce watches of exception in the haute horology tradition.

 

How many points of sale are F.P. Journe timepieces in around the world?

We have 10 F.P.Journe Boutiques in our own name around the world in Geneva, New York, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, Beijing, Los Angeles, Miami, Boca Raton et Beirut. We also have 6 Espaces and 30 points of sales chosen with care for their understanding of haute horology. It is important to select the best ones in order not to be lost among 100 other brands. With a production of 900 watches, it is better to have less points of sale, but the best ones, presenting each a proper collection that represents our brand acutely.

 

As a young company, what are you doing to build your archives or to document the history that you are creating at F.P. Journe?

We have archives for each timepiece that came out of the Manufacture, and when it came for service or repair. We are of course keeping all catalogs, documentation, films and books, actions, and we keep a copy every article featured in the press since the very beginning

 

This year, F.P. Journe sponsored the “Young Talent Competition” presented by the Watch Academy of Independent Creators (AHCI). What is your outlook on the future of independent watchmaking? Do you think that there is a sufficient pipeline of students learning horological craftsmanship, or does the industry need to do more to attract young people to the craft?

The AHCI is celebrating its 30^th anniversary this year and they came to me to ask for our support as I am a member of the Academy since 1987, and we gave them this support with great pleasure. The AHCI did contribute to reveal numerous talents of independent watch makers who reinvent the future of watchmaking and it helps them in their development.

The AHCI also created the Young Talent Competition to allow young watchmakers and apprentices to reveal their talent through that competition, and this is an exceptional opportunity for them; do you think at age 25 or so, they have the financial mean to exhibit their creation at Baselworld ?

Amongst the participants, there is always one or a few that not only have a genuine talent but the passion in their veins.  They are the talents of tomorrow and it is a great honor to have become their God father by sharing my horological knowledge, my passion, my determination and encourage them as I was supported at their age.

I believe there is a lot of apprentice watchmakers, but they do not all have a genuine talent, and this kind of serious competition can help the talented ones to come forward.