Centigraphe Sport, Aluminum

In 2011, François-Paul Journe took a massive gamble on aluminum. Debuting 2011 and in production just three years, the aluminum Cenitgraphe Sport is a highly technical and eccentric integrated-bracelet sports chronograph. The Centigraphe Sport launched what went on to become the LineSport collection, but these first aluminum cases were quickly succeeded by a heavier titanium—making these originals extremely highly desirable. Still capable of measuring a remarkable one-hundredth second interval, the Centigraphe Sport was the most sporting and trailblazing variant that had ever been attempted. This was the first all-aluminum wristwatch attempted: where the case, bracelet, and even calibre are entirely manufactured from aluminum. At just 55 grams, it is the most technical lightweight chronograph yet made. 

At its heart, the Sport was still a Centigraphe. It nods to John Harrison, but then deviates wildly. A central mainspring barrel here powers two independent gear trains, with a separately sourced power for the chronograph. The chronograph uses a column wheel and also brand new kind of clutch system that is more for regulation than power. When engaged, a the 1/100th hand in the upper left subdial rockets across discreet stops as a foudroyante. Where most chronographs display the levers and cams of the chronograph proudly on the caseback, the Centigraphe architecture demands sandwiching them between the mainspring and dial. Journe’s genius lay in making the complication not only legible but usable, with a rocker-style pusher at two o’clock allowing instantaneous starts and stops. No high-frequency escapement here—just an ingenious gear-train solution coupled to a traditional 3 Hz balance. The result is quintessential Journe: first-principles thinking delivered with deceptive simplicity. Realizing this calibre in aluminum posed many technical and finishing challenges, all of which were overcome. Finishing on this variant mirrored brass and pink gold calibres, a massive accomplishment in itself.

The dial of this Centigraphe is aluminum and sapphire, largely dominated by complication. The upper left subdial houses the impressive 1/100th hand, the upper right subdial revolves once every 20 seconds, while the subdial at 6 is graduated for 10-minute intervals. This layout demands no central chronograph hand, leaving the outer track to be numerals only. The aesthetic is heavily technical and purposeful, but also beautiful as a result. Despite all the complication and engineering here, the case is just 10mm thin. The aluminum bracelet and case extremities are interwoven with rubber, a design choice simply made to enhance practical utility. The alloy has a matte diffusion finish which is entirely unlike any precious metal. This was highly polarizing. Today, that divergence from the canon is exactly what lends it appeal.

The aluminum Centigraphe Sport debuted on Indy 500 driver’s Jean Alesi’s wrist shortly after launch. At the time, Jean Alesi drove for Lotus and FP Journe partnered in joint philosophy of purusing lightness and technical excellence. That partnership couldn’t have been more accurate. Few independent watchmakers are capable of such technical and creative engineering in architecture. This chronograph has pushed the boundaries of what is possible, in an impressively wearable and beautiful package. There are few watches which have truly advanced the world of mechanical watchmaking, but the Centigraphe was absolutely one of them. The Sport was about showing that mastery could be reframed for contemporary wear. It remains a fascinating anomaly—light as air, utterly practical, yet carrying one of the most advanced chronograph mechanisms ever devised.

This Centigraphe Sport remains perfectly preserved without visible wear of any sort. It has been safed the vast majority of its life. The case and bracelet show no scratches or marks. It is simply the best Centigraphe Sport we've seen. It was given a mechanical service at FP Journe earlier this year in anticipation of this sale. It arrives to market now in exceptional condition and mechanically perfect, complete set.

This example is modelled on an average-sized 7-inch wrist.