Best of the Best: F.P.Journe Répétion Souveraine
F.P. Journe has won another award for one of his unique horological creations. The F.P. Journe Centigraphe Souverain took home the grand prize, at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève, back in November 2008. Now for 2009, Robb Report has given the F.P. Journe Répétion Souveraine their annual "Best of the Best" award for men's watches.
The F.P. Journe Répétion Souveraine features a beautifully decorated minute-repeater movement. Like all F.P. Journe watches, this one was designed, produced and assembled at the F.P. Journe manufacture - in Geneva. The Répétion Souveraine is a minute-repeater, but not your typical minute-repeater. This in one features an ultra-slim 4mm movement. François-Paul Journe has created a minute-repeater mechanism that allows strong clear tones to emanate from an extremely thin movement.
In order to construct such an acoustically appealing ultra-slim repeater movement, F.P. Journe needed to make a few design improvements.
First he created a flat gong, first seen on the F.P. Journe Grande Sonnerie, which produces a louder and clearer sound than traditional gongs. And because the gong is mounted under the dial, instead of around the movement, it allows more room for the movement.
Second he created an innovative system of striking racks and strike selection mechanisms which take up much less space than conventional strike mechanisms. These redevelopments have merited the application of two patents.
Another notable design element is the use of stainless steel for the case. It was chosen specifically for its superior acoustic properties, its classical form measures 40mm in diameter. The case may be stainless steel, but the majority of the movement is made of a more precious metal - 18k pink gold.
To activate the repeater you move the slide-piece on the left side of the case - the hours are sounded by a low chime, quarter hours with a high-low combination, and minutes with a series of high tones.
(F.P. Journe Centigraph Souveraine)
Whether is it the Centigraph Souveraine (pictured above), the Octa Perpetuelle (pictured here) or the Répétion Souveraine - F.P. Journe's haute horology creations continue to amaze.