François-Paul Journe has been “inventing ” and “ making ” watches for more than 45 years. His expertise and historical knowledge enable him to tackle the most daring horological challenges, pursuing his research with one goal : to make each of his mechanical timepieces as precise as possible. When he sets himself a challenge, he lets time work its magic. He nurtures his ideas, allows them to mature, and shapes them until he can imagine every detail of a complex mechanism. For instance, the Chronomètre à Résonance took more than 15 years of development from his first experiments with a pocket watch.
François-Paul Journe, master watchmaker in his Manufacture, is at the heart of the creation process ; this is what distinguishes the brand from other watchmakers and gives it its character. A true artist and exceptional technician, he takes pride in inventing and manufacturing his watches one by one and in small series. The Manufacture he founded in 1999 is built on the values of Authenticity, Rarity, and Talent, summarized by the acronym A.R.T. F.P.Journe represents a world of its own where innovation and craftsmanship dialogue with heritage. A first in the watchmaking world and a specific feature of the brand, the movements are made of 18K rose Gold. Signed with the label “Invenit et Fecit” ( invented and made ), they recall the importance of an in-house caliber, entirely invented, built, and assembled in the Geneva workshops of the Manufacture. This inscription was also found in the 18th century on watches made by master watchmakers when they were accepted by the French Royal Academy of Sciences. The production has been vertically integrated to manufacture almost all components.
It also includes the dials, which François-Paul Journe attaches great importance to it is the first thing he designs — and the cases. Located within Geneva’s Old Town, the Manufacture enjoys a privileged location in an environment steeped in Swiss horological heritage. A PASSION FOR HAUTE HORLOGERIE Since 2023, Les Cadraniers and Les Boîtiers de Genève ( dials and cases Manufactures owned by F.P.Journe ) have moved into a new custom-designed building in Meyrin, canton of Geneva, offering optimal working conditions and cutting-edge equipment that better integrates traditional craftsmanship with the most advanced technologies. The modernity of the machines is essential to achieve the required level of perfection, but maintaining craftsmanship is fundamental, as many operations are still done by hand, repeated with infinite precision. The decoration workshop is another testament to this attention to detail, where movement parts are meticulously decorated, even those that will remain invisible once the watch is assembled.
F.P.Journe produces around 1,000 precision mechanical chronometers per year, with a team of watchmakers and artisans proud to work with a creator whose office is also his workbench. With the utmost dexterity and according to their sensitivity, the watchmakers carry out all the assembly steps from start to finish, including the delicate stages of adjustment. This uncompromising vision has given rise to numerous creations such as the Sonnerie Souveraine, the ultra-thin Répétition Souveraine, the iconic Tourbillon Souverain, the Chronomètre à Résonance, the automatic Octa caliber with its 160 hour power reserve, a movement capable of integrating many complications, including the FFC with instantaneous digital hours displayed by the animated fingers of a Titanium hand, and the Astronomic Souveraine, an ultra-complicated watch with 18 functions and complications. These creations have earned F.P.Journe numerous international distinctions— 7 awards at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, including 3 “Aiguille d’Or”. F.P.Journe watches have also been named “Watch of the Year” several times in Japan, Hong Kong, Switzerland, and the United States. François-Paul Journe has also received the title of “Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres ” from the French Minister of Culture.
To present its watches in a setting that reflects its image, the brand has opened a network of 12 proprietary Boutiques around the world. These watch salons allow for the discovery of the Classique, lineSport, and élégante by F.P.Journe collections, as well as special editions exclusively reserved for them, such as the Black Label collection and pieces from the Patrimoine Service, which since 2016 has allowed collectors to acquire F.P.Journe watches that are no longer in production, fully restored to guarantee their original condition. Beyond watchmaking, F.P.Journe extends its activities into other fields, reflecting its passion for creativity in all its forms. The brand is deeply committed to supporting art and culture, organizing numerous events throughout the year to celebrate and promote these disciplines. Another encounter, another story : the opening of “F.P.Journe Le Restaurant” at 49 rue du Rhône in Geneva. This culinary adventure, born from the collaboration between François-Paul Journe and Michelin-starred chef Dominique Gauthier, takes the form of a heritage-listed venue where every guest becomes a host in a universe where Haute Gastronomy meets Haute Horlogerie.
