Introduced in 2009, the Chronomètre Bleu stands quite apart from the rest of FP Journe's range. Its tantalum case does not conform to standards in the usual FP Journe size or material, 39mm instead of 38 or 40mm and dark-grey tantalum instead of precious metal. Where François-Paul built his name in complication, this is a restrained time-only wristwatch with a vivid blue lacquer dial. This distinct apartness has seen the Chronomètre Bleu propelled to massive adoration in the wake of Journe's rise to prominence, a minimal, distilled example of Francois-Paul's watchmaking.
This was Francois-Paul's first wristwatch with a central time-only display, the first traditionally-arranged FP Journe dial building upon the success of the 2005 Chronomètre Souverain through a more casual and technical approach. The simpler offering was a reaction to the 2008 financial crisis, where Journe required a more approachable model to keep sales ticking over. Yet, François-Paul could not keep his soul and ingenuity from suffusing the Chronomètre Bleu. That bare presentation of the watchmakers soul is what has always distinguished the Chronomètre Bleu from its competitors. What was merely intended to sustain the brand has instead become its flagship.
Put simply, this was at its time one of the most over-engineered three-hand dress watches from any manufacture. Its calibre 1304 is based on dual mainspring barrels for more even torque and is hewn almost entirely of pink gold. The Chronomètre Bleu has a unique finish compared to everything else in the catalogue, with a base plate grain d’orge guilloché. Bridges are striped and chamfered beautifully, with much space and openness like old pocket watches. This is helped by clever engineering, where the gear train that links the balance to the mainspring barrels run hidden under the dial as opposed to the conventional path across the caseback. The lack of wheels makes its free sprung balance appear self-driven.
Tantalum was previously foreign to FP Journe, a notoriously difficult material to machine and finish. However, the result is a metal considerably more resistant to wear and corrosion; tantalum is roughly twice as hard as gold and twice as strong as steel. Machining this case and particularly the crown is said to have required great trial and error. Journe opted for the more challenging polished finish rather than the matte or brushed we see on tantalum from all other marques. Despite the relatively complex movement, the case measures just 8.6mm thin which doesn't trouble a cuff.
But the Chronomètre Bleu is made by its dial, built up from multiple layers of hand-polished blue lacquer with an immense failure rate. The vividness of these thick coats can change from near black to chrome blue under direct sun, with numerals reflecting layers downward. Further, it breaks from traditional Journe austerity with a petite seconds at 7:30, where the numerals nearest to its petite seconds gracefully shrink down to provide visual balance. This allows the numerals to be printed full and not cut off around the seconds opening, as many others do, a rare touch of playfulness from François-Paul.
In fewer than ten years, the Chronomètre Bleu became renowned as the purest FP Journe. In 2019, FP Journe decided to cease availability of the Chronomètre Bleu and closed orders. At this time, most waitlists were around 8 years long. To date, it remains one of the most sought-after time only wristwatches ever made, from independent peers or otherwise. Further, the Chronomètre Bleu proves that a restrained offering needn't sacrifice on craftsmanship or soul. It demonstrates that in the darker times for François-Paul's brand, he was able to rely on his own intellect, training, and skills alone to create desirable offerings, nothing more. It is one of very few independent watchmaker's efforts which can truly be said to have become a modern classic.
