Darkroom Prints & F. P. Journe
This picture always makes me chuckle when I scroll past it on my phone. To paint you a picture, the year was 2018, I'd just graduated from college and moved to LA, and I was having breakfast before heading to the F. P. Journe boutique to deliver a couple of darkroom prints of some photos I'd taken during the prior weekend's RedBar event.
It had been my first ever in-person watch meetup, at the boutique of a brand I knew precious little about, other than the eye-watering prices. I was wearing my relatively inexpensive Seiko SARB065 "Cocktail Time," an Oxford shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a black leather belt, dark wash jeans, navy blue Converse sneakers, and my Leica M3 film camera around my neck. I couldn't help but feel nervous about being underdressed, under-watched, and totally out of my element.
Thankfully, I was greeted with a warm handshake by the boutique's director, Laurent Journe, who happens to be the brother of Mr. François-Paul himself. I hadn't yet caught on to the fact that folks in LA are often fashionably late, so was the only one there. Laurent asked if I was familiar with the brand. I probably looked like a deer in the headlights, and without skipping a beat, he began to walk me through the different collections, beautifully lit and displayed.
Later that evening, once a sizeable crowd had arrived, Laurent gathered us around a large display of the innovative Chronomètre à Résonance movement to explain its function. I'd be lying if I told you that I still remember exactly how it all works, but I do remember being amazed by the caliber of watchmaking in front of us. And I'm thankful that I managed captured the moment on film.
While most of the pictures I took weren't great (turns out it's tough to operate a Leica M3 one-handed while you have a glass of high-proof scotch in the other hand), the shot I really wanted was well-exposed, in-focus, and captured the passion with which Laurent fulfilled his duty to educate others about his brother's unique horological innovations.
Coming back to the boutique a few weeks later to deliver the darkroom prints, I was just as nervous as the first time. But again, Laurent couldn't have been more of a gentleman. I described the process of developing and printing the image by hand. We mused poetically about the use of a noble metal (silver) to capture, record, and transmit a millisecond of time. He introduced me to one of their loyal collectors who was there to purchase a new strap for his stunning Chronomètre Bleu.
With a firm handshake, a warm smile, and an invitation to come back any time to further my horological understanding, we parted ways. I'm fairly certain that I will never purchase an F. P. Journe watch, but those experiences solidified the brand as one I hold in the highest regard, from a technical and personal standpoint. Between a busy work schedule and the pandemic shutting things down for ages, I think I'm long overdue for another visit.
Howdy, folks! Andre here. I work in the analog photography products industry and have always had an appreciation for the mechanical technology of yesteryear. As a proud member of the Itty Bitty Wrist...
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What a lovely story
What a lovely story
Thanks, Julie! Love the handle, by the way. Fellow member of the Itty Bitty Wrist Committee here. And I appreciate that you took the time to read my ramblings. New to this platform and feeling it out a bit. For starters, I appreciate the longer character limit in comparison to Instagram. I look forward to posting more of these long-form reflections on my journey as a watch enthusiast.
Thanks, Julie! Love the handle, by the way. Fellow member of the Itty Bitty Wrist Committee here. And I appreciate that you took the time to read my ramblings. New to this platform and feeling it out a bit. For starters, I appreciate the longer character limit in comparison to Instagram. I look forward to posting more of these long-form reflections on my journey as a watch enthusiast.
Yes, I'll relatively new myself but it feels like a nice place so far - I shall look forward to reading more ramblings!
Great shot and memory, loved my M3! Thanks
Great story and amazing that you met the brother of FP! I always appreciate when senior people are humble and treat everyone with respect, no matter who they are. Would love to keep seeing your pics on WC!
hey man such a love story. respect to mr laurent journe for his kindness 👐🏻
Great story and a great experience.. I was a photographer in a past life. I actually graduated college with a degree in chemical photography but that was in the last century lol.
Very much enjoyed reading this.
Thanks for sharing.
Great shot and memory, loved my M3! Thanks
Thanks, Rob! The M3 served me well for many years, but I traded it for an M2. Couldn't be happier.
Great story and amazing that you met the brother of FP! I always appreciate when senior people are humble and treat everyone with respect, no matter who they are. Would love to keep seeing your pics on WC!
Couldn't agree more. I saw in your feed that you're sometimes in LA for work. Definitely consider visiting the F. P. Journe boutique if you haven't already!
Great story and a great experience.. I was a photographer in a past life. I actually graduated college with a degree in chemical photography but that was in the last century lol.
Thanks, man! There's no better time to get back into shooting film than now! So much innovation in the space, and I'm proud to work for a company that's at the head of it all.
Very much enjoyed reading this.
Thanks for sharing.
I appreciate it, John! I hope to write many more in this style.
Very cool story!
The shot! The story! Glad to have bumped into this post today man!
Thanks, Rob! The M3 served me well for many years, but I traded it for an M2. Couldn't be happier.
I thought you might like a shot of my old friend. Now happily resting in retirement. I paired it with my Luminox, they were both frequent travel companions with me in the ‘90’s.
Excellent experience and happy for you. I would love to have that experience too and had the privilege to handle one of their watches in person from my boss. Despite all the hype and hate as being a snob brand we can't neglect the special work of art these watches are. I probably will never own one but you never know what the future brings🤷♂️
I thought you might like a shot of my old friend. Now happily resting in retirement. I paired it with my Luminox, they were both frequent travel companions with me in the ‘90’s.
It looks to be in great condition! If you ever care to stretch its legs, let me know. I'd be happy to send you a roll of the film made by the company I work for.
Excellent experience and happy for you. I would love to have that experience too and had the privilege to handle one of their watches in person from my boss. Despite all the hype and hate as being a snob brand we can't neglect the special work of art these watches are. I probably will never own one but you never know what the future brings🤷♂️
I feel the same way. Certain levels of high horology will likely always be out of my financial reach, but I treat them like fine paintings hanging in a museum. Makes for a very fun weekend looking at miniature art.
Great story!
Thanks for sharing - lovely story. A little fish out of water experience made easy by warm and welcoming people. Nice to know there are still wonderful humans behind some of these big brands. Great shot and beautiful camera!
Couldn't agree more. I saw in your feed that you're sometimes in LA for work. Definitely consider visiting the F. P. Journe boutique if you haven't already!
Yeah for sure, I gotta go look them up now. Had no idea they had a boutique!
Thanks for sharing - lovely story. A little fish out of water experience made easy by warm and welcoming people. Nice to know there are still wonderful humans behind some of these big brands. Great shot and beautiful camera!
Thanks for checking it out! And yes, I couldn't agree more. My respect for the Journes is immeasurable.