The Chronomètre Bleu is innovative with its 39 mm case made for the first time of Tantalum, a rare dark grey metal with blue overtones. Tantalum is a wonderful metal but rarely used in watchmaking as it is hard and very difficult to manipulate, due to its very high fusion temperature of 3000° and a density of 16.3. Tantalum is also precious as it is highly resistant to corrosion and wear.
The chrome blue dial is in perfect harmony with the color of the case in a contemporary spirit. The F.P. Journe hands, matching the large cream-colored Arabic numerals, mark the hours while the guilloché seconds dial at 7:30 enhances the mirror effect of the main dial.
The manual winding movement of the Chronomètre Bleu is made in 18K rose gold, like that of all F.P. Journe creations. Signed with the label Invenit et Fecit- (invented and made), each F.P. Journe exclusive movement guarantees a manufacture calibre, invented, constructed, and assembled entirely in our Geneva workshops. For the Chronomètre Bleu , the exacting motto of F.P. Journe’s watchmakers holds true: “to each watchmaker his own watch”.
Through the transparent back, the balance and escapement appear to be mysteriously detached from the movement, beating with no apparent motive force. F.P. Journe has placed the connecting train under the dial, leaving only the centre wheel to highlight the isolation of the balance.
The manually wound movement of the Chronomètre Bleu oscillates at 21,600v/h. Twin barrels, in the classic configuration of precision watches, work in parallel to deliver stable power for much of its 56-hour full autonomy. The F.P. Journe free-sprung chronometer balance with inertia adjustment on four opposing weights is dynamically adjusted to six positions, with an emphasis on constancy of rate.
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Technical Specifications – Chronomètre Bleu
Movement
Calibre 1304
Manually wound by 38 turns
Movement in 18K rose gold
22 jewels
Dimensions of the Movement
Overall diameter: 30.40 mm
Casing-up diameter: 29.60 mm
Overall height: 3.75 mm
Height of winding system: 2.10 mm
Diameter of stem thread: S0.90 mm
Content from our partners
Balance
Four inertia weights
Flat Anachron microflamed spring
Mobile stud holders
Free-sprung
Nivatronic laser-welded to collet
Pinned GE stud
Frequency: 21,600 v / h, (3Hz)
Inertia: 10.10 mg /cm2
Angle of lift: 52°
Amplitude:
0h dial up: > 320°
24h dial up: > 280°
Principal characteristics
Manual winding
Two mainspring barrels in parallel
Time adjustment via crown in position 2
Pallet escapement with 15-tooth escape wheel
Two position crown
Indications
Central hours and minutes
Sub-seconds at 7:30
Power reserve
56 hours +- 2h.
Decoration
High quality
Partly circular grained base plate, with barleycorn guilloché
Polished screw heads, chamfered slots
Pegs with polished rounded ends
Case
Tantalum
Diameter: 39 mm
Height: 8.60 mm
Dial: Chrome blue
Number of Pieces
Movement without dial: 133
Cased-up on leather strap: 166
F.P. Journe is featured in Elite Traveler’s THE OFFICIAL WATCH BUYER’S GUIDE 2009/2010.
