Journe makes some nice watches, but the hype is completely manufactured, just like some other brands. It's a business, folks.

 

I mean sure, given where the prices are right now, I’d rather get a BNIB ALS Datograph for the price of a Chrono Bleu on the secondary market, but at this level of watchmaking, there aren’t too many competitors.
When you only manufacture less than 1,000 or 900 watches a year, for millions of potential consumers, there will be some hype.

Who else do you think is competing at that level and which has not (yet) been hyped?

 

CB is entry level FPJ, while Dato sits atop ALS pyramid.
Here is a more balanced fight:
ALS Dato or Journe Optimum?

 

I think it's hard to compare anything to the intricacy and timelessness of a Datograph. It's just a classic concept beautifully executed, without much fuss on the face of it. If I had one, I'd be tempted to wear it inside out half of the time.

 

I certainly agree with you that this is a better comparison based on the merits of the watches!
My point was simply to say: how crazy is it that the money needed to buy a Chrono Bleu these days puts you squarely in reach of a datograph. Insane!!

And I am a HUGE fan of the chrono optimum myself, and would be my pick in this face to face. Do you have one in your collection?

 

I love Journe. Hopefully some day, someone will give me one…

 

amen.
I’m meeting the Journe team this weekend for a viewing of some goodies.
Man, that Optimum is out of this world. I’m not just drooling on its aesthetic and that dial. The design philosophy and engineering of that movement blows my mind. If I ever come down to a 2 watches collection: Journe Optimum and Lange Datograph will be it. Down to a single watch—it will be Optimum.

i enjoy seeing your special pieces in WRUW. Awesome collection.

 

Thank you for the kind words… and I would say that great minds, think alike!! I am just hooked on the FPJ bait. Haha.
Did you make an appointment or are you planning on stopping by (unannounced)?
I am asking because I am thinking of stopping by myself at the NYC boutique tomorrow, Saturday.

 

You’ll want to make an appointment. They’ll ask which pieces you’d want to see and fly those in. Everything is sold out to 2025 and beyond. From my conversation with boutique, they keep a set of sample pieces and share those amongst the 3 stores in US. Chronometer Blue and Optimum are assigned only. Can’t be purchased first buy. They are ramping up production for Automatique, which I can reserve. Delivery is 2025. I hope this helps.

 

Same situation in Europe.

 

FPJ recently increased their prices 30%.
And I thought Rolex’s 12% was steep.

 

I put my name on the list for a CB with FPJ boutique in Geneva in 2018, when retail on it was about 17k I think and used ones were going for low 20s (gbp equivalent). I liked the watch but wasn’t willing to pay an extra 5k or 25% over list for a used one and not in any rush. At the time I expected I’d get one from the boutique in maybe 2 or 2yrs which was fine by me.

Since then my chances of ever getting one from the boutique are basically zero and the 2nd hand market has gone stratospheric. Difficult not to feel hard done by here!!!

 

This is absolutely classic.

 

The CB and Nautilus boats sailed without me years ago. Didn't regret either. Don't get me wrong, they are awesome, but no more than $30k awesome. My functioning brain wouldn't let me do it.






in hindsight. Stupid, stupid brain...
huge regret...

 

You’re not the only one, my brain wouldn’t let me do it either, as they say hindsight is 20 20

 

what a gorgeous watch maker. Outside holy grail watchers; definitely one of my fav brand. complications and elegance in order to differentiate from the others

 

It’s always the fault of the brain. Bloody brains