F.P. Journe vs. everyone

Where does F.P. Journe rank versus the rest? (Holy trinity, Lange, JLC, Grand Seiko, etc.)

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I'd put FPJ up with the high horology group, trinity, ALS, Breguet etc. JLC a tier down with Blancpain, GP, GO, F Muller. Grand Seiko one down from that with IWC, Breitling, Omega. Of course it's all subjective where you draw the lines.

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Cantaloop

I'd put FPJ up with the high horology group, trinity, ALS, Breguet etc. JLC a tier down with Blancpain, GP, GO, F Muller. Grand Seiko one down from that with IWC, Breitling, Omega. Of course it's all subjective where you draw the lines.

Would you give FPJ a advantage for being independently owned?

I almost think of them in a completely different category similar to Voutilainen due to FP still being around and involved in the production.

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They look quite nice. So do Ferraris. Both are beyond my means, without apology.

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FP Journe is one of the finest watchmakers around. They are sandwiched somewhere close to the Roger Smiths, Philip Dufour, Ferrier, etc but above Habring, Parmigiani, etc. Would love to own one one day.

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TheMightyOz

They look quite nice. So do Ferraris. Both are beyond my means, without apology.

That price point puts them in unique territory that’s for sure

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AllTheWatches

FP Journe is one of the finest watchmakers around. They are sandwiched somewhere close to the Roger Smiths, Philip Dufour, Ferrier, etc but above Habring, Parmigiani, etc. Would love to own one one day.

Same. That’s our #GrailWatch 🤞

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4copas

That price point puts them in unique territory that’s for sure

Yeah, I’ve never even seen a Journe. I did rent a Ferrari in Vegas once for a day. It was everything I ever wanted it to be. Who knows, maybe watches in this price point are worth it. But it’s so far above my means that I have no interest. I think most people that dream of these are not likely to ever own one. Without judgement, I am much more interested in watches I can attain, or that are that tantalizing just out of reach zone that could be attained, with high sacrifice.

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4copas

That price point puts them in unique territory that’s for sure

They're not so incredibly expensive at retail when compared with other similar tier watches. grey market prices went up spo much because they produce so few pieces.

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AllTheWatches

FP Journe is one of the finest watchmakers around. They are sandwiched somewhere close to the Roger Smiths, Philip Dufour, Ferrier, etc but above Habring, Parmigiani, etc. Would love to own one one day.

Agree, not comparable to holy trinity really as I put them in the independent-y camp that you just did and also Voutilainen, Vianney Halter. Very much watchmaker led. However, I was surprised that FPJ produces about 900 watches per year compared to the 10-100 for the folks you and I listed above. FPJ is a proper scaled business.

While design-wise nowhere near each other, but MB&F, Armin Strom, Urwerk are similar to the group we listed in terms of quality, innovation, design.

FPJ is way above Habring, not in the same galaxy. Different level of finishing, design, complications. Habring is going for affordable complications he's familiar with in a respectable amount of finishing.

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Beanhead

Agree, not comparable to holy trinity really as I put them in the independent-y camp that you just did and also Voutilainen, Vianney Halter. Very much watchmaker led. However, I was surprised that FPJ produces about 900 watches per year compared to the 10-100 for the folks you and I listed above. FPJ is a proper scaled business.

While design-wise nowhere near each other, but MB&F, Armin Strom, Urwerk are similar to the group we listed in terms of quality, innovation, design.

FPJ is way above Habring, not in the same galaxy. Different level of finishing, design, complications. Habring is going for affordable complications he's familiar with in a respectable amount of finishing.

Agreed, I was just using Habring and others on the starting point for custom independent watchmakers. In hindsight, I probably should have used Mosier instead.

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FPJs are and will continue to be amazing while he is still alive. Anyone can guess what happens when he passes.

As far as getting them serviced at that point...

Let's just assume you will need deep pockets if you expect to maintain an FPJ.

Same is true for all the great independents.

So it's like that old saying from JP Morgan..."If you have to ask - "how much?" - you can't afford it."