Contact tmosso@thewatchbox.com for pricing and availability; Either I have it, or I can get it! FP Journe Chronometre Bleu (CB) vs. Laurent Ferrier Galet Micro-Rotor (LCF024.AC.CG7.1). It’s luxury watch match made in heaven, or Geneva, or perhaps both. We’ve taken two of the hottest names among the elite ranks of independent horology and gathered two of the most desirable - even iconic - luxury watch nameplates from these designer watch brands. It’s Laurent Ferrier, the old master from Patek Philippe, against FP Journe, the legend in his own time, this week on Versus.
FP Journe’s Chronometre Blue is the rare entry-level model that defines a brand and inspires watch buyers to wait in line. If the “Elegante by FP Journe” quartz sub-brand is discounted, the Chronometre Bleu represents the point of entry for watch collectors seeking Journe ownership. Launched in 2009 and never a hotter commodity than it is today, the Chronometre Bleu’s retail price of $22,800 U.S. rises to about $30,000 pre-owned.
FP Journe offers simplicity in compelling colors: tantalum and blue. The Chronometre Bleu’s namesake dial is a wonder of lacquer-like gloss gleam and a phantom metallic tone borne of the dial base. Vanilla print is used to create contrast and a measure of warmth that a conventional white ink wouldn’t convey. The 39mm case in tantalum is polished to a high shine, and by all accounts, it’s a monstrous thing to work at the factory level.
Journe provides a manufacture caliber 1304 with manual winding, a 56-hour power reserve by twin mainsprings in parallel, and a free-sprung balance that oscillates at 21,600 VpH. The movement is adjusted in six positions - a chronometer generally requires only five - and COSC is not invited to verify; Montres Journe insists that its internal timing standards exceed the test. All bridges and plates are finished in 18-karat solid gold.
Laurent Ferrier the man has been working with watches for almost half a century; Laurent Ferrier the brand dates to 2008, and it launched its first watch in 2010. Today’s Galet Micro Rotor is a 40mm stainless steel model with Ice Blue sunburst metallic dial introduced at Baselworld 2018. The watch is more sensuous and voluminous than the disc-like Journe, and its dial is more of a silver-sky blue metallic than the relentless gloss cobalt of the Journe. Although the Laurent Ferrier Galet as featured carries a retail price of $40,000, depreciation leads to pre-owned prices between $30,000 and $32,000 U.S.; price parity with the Journe results on pre-owned watch exchanges.
Laurent Ferrier’s manufacture caliber FBN 299.01 is, to be fair, a product developed in partnership with Geneva-based movement specialists La Fabrique Du Temps. In all likelihood, the bridges, plates, and specialized components are built and finished at LFDT and shipped to Laurent Ferrier for assembly and regulation. Finish is outstanding, and regardless of who performs this task, the result is superior to the more mechanically assisted finish of the Journe.
The micro-rotor energizes a 72-hour power reserve; a free-sprung balance with overcoil hairspring beats at 21,600 VpH. Like the Journe, the Laurent Ferrier Galet Micro-Rotor is adjusted in six positions, but practical tests have indicated that the Journe runs more precisely. Laurent Ferrier embraces alternative escapement technology and materials with a “natural escapement” inspired by Breguet (the man, not the brand). It uses two escape wheels of nickel phosphorous to impulse the balance wheel directly; a silicon locking lever alternates between the two wheels. In theory, this escapement reduces friction, extends power reserve, and improves chronometric precision.
Laurent Ferrier vs. FP Journe is the marquee matchup for this week’s VERSUS!