The Test Of Time

F.P. Journe takes classic design, innovation and quality craftsmanship to an exclusive new level, creating impressive, beautiful timepieces that are unparalleled in the history of watchmaking.

- Donna Paris

Q. The Tourbillon Souverain Vertical is revolutionary. How did it come to be? How is it different from the Tourbillon Souverain? What are the advantages of a watch such as this?

A. The Tourbillon Souverain Vertical is revolutionary, and no other watchmaker had the audacity to conceive it.

Abraham-Louis Breguet invented the Tourbillon for pocket watches and in the pocket, the Tourbillon was in a vertical position. When the wearer put it down, he was putting it on a support in a vertical position. For this new Tourbillon, the principle is the same except it is a wristwatch: when you lay it on a table, the Tourbillon also remains vertical, and it will be vertical in all the positions, thus it will keep the same precision.

For the 20th anniversary of the Tourbillon Souverain, I was working on an idea, somewhat different but furthermore an innovation that would bring something to precision. Ideas come little by little.

I also tried to preserve the spirit of the first Tourbillon wristwatch I had made in 1991, in adding something modern. On the face, the guilloche movement is visible with a sub-dial in enamel.

Q. Do your watches share common characteristics?

A. Yes, with a quest for precision, innovation and timeless aesthetics. A watch should give time with precision, but it must also provoke an emotion.

Q. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood? Growing up? How and when did you first become interested in watchmaking?