There are very few sports watches which can split seconds, let alone split seconds with this calibre of watchmaking. FP Journe introduced the Chronographe Monopoussoir Rattrapante in 2018, building off an experimental Split Seconds project for Only Watch which hammered at 1.15M CHF. By popular demand, FP Journe refined that calibre and included it in the LineSport catalogue a year later. The resulting sports watch maintained the attitude of a thoroughbred prototype; this is an unapologetically heavy, opulent, and refined integrated bracelet Rattrapante.
The calibre 1518 here is so named because work began in 2015 and it is 18 French ligne across (over 40mm). Yet, as François-Paul Journe hates thickness, the calibre is just 6.8mm thin despite requiring 285 components. François-Paul constructs his calibres to prioritize visual displays where possible, everything is laid out here to be seen operating. The 1518 uses twin column wheels with a traditional rattrapante pincer, though its operation is a little unusual. The upper pusher starts, stops, and resets the entire chronograph, hence 'Monopoussoir'. The lower pusher splits then syncs the secondary chronograph split hand. Interestingly, instead of a vertical clutch, FP Journe has chosen an oscillating pinion horizontal clutch for aesthetic considerations. The swivel pin was an invention FP Journe made during his time at THA which allows a perfectly precise chronograph start and stop aligned with the pusher, no jumping. The base of the calibre is in pink gold, except the more delicate chronograph levers which are in steel. The hand-finishing work is thorough, with circular striping, beautiful beveled finger bridges, and quite a lot of black polishing.
The dial is ruthenium covered silver guilloché with many thoughtful touches. The outer track, numerals, and red gold hands are all frosted to echo case finishing. Its upper chronograph hand is off-white to match the seconds track, while the split hand is in frosted red gold. At 6 lies what François-Paul refers to as a 'very large date', with its own crown position to adjust.
Its case measures a formidable 44mm across, yet just 12mm thin. This example is in red gold, though platinum and titanium were also made. The red gold here features a frosted matte finish, where a randomized machine hammering process leaves this granular texture. This is contrasted by mirrored bevels, pushers, and bezel side. The bezel features a tachymetric scale in ceramic, a material we rarely see from FP Journe. The bracelet is woven with vulcanized rubber accents and the case sports rubber trim details as armor to daily life, such that one does not have to think twice about using the watch in any environment. These were a polarizing detail which have since left the collection. The bracelet's inside-link shape is designed to facilitate airflow for comfort. It is a broad, flat, and imposing proportion.
The Monopoussoir Rattrapante aims to make high complication usable in daily life rather than limiting it to an object to occasionally be enjoyed with great care. In this aim, FP Journe have lost none of the daring, imposing, and experimental quality of the initial Only Watch project which received such widespread acclaim. This Rattrapante is not shy. It is a watch that wears proudly, with extremely thoughtful and time-intensive watchmaking to confidently back up that attitude. The Chronographe Monopoussoir is a new type of Rattrapante, one which shatters the notion that an ultimate wristwatch need be discreet or understated. This is high-level watchmaking with no punches pulled, no corners cut, and no apologies made: a serious watch with serious presence.
