Chronomètre Souverain, Havana, Pink Gold

The Chronomètre Souverain Havana is defined by a specific guilloché dial made by mixing gold and ruthenium to create a deep warm tone. Yet, the effect it has had on wearers and the collecting community at large is profound. This is a distilled and pure offering from François-Paul made special by embracing warmth, a tone that took Les Cadraniers de Genève months of development to perfect. The Havana dial began in the Octa Automatique and Octa Lune in 2017, but quickly was added to the Chronomètre Souverain by client demand. Havana dials have historically lived in the more approachable side of the FP Journe catalogue, although recently productions have sold out for years in advance. That’s not without reason, as the beauty of this dial speaks for itself. 

 The Chronomètre Souverain is amongst FP Journe's most restrained, distilled works. Introduced in 2005, it immediately won the Men's Watch category at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève. In the years since, the Chronomètre Souverain has established its reputation as the purest form of what François-Paul holds dear as a watchmaker. Perhaps most telling, though, it was a Chronomètre Souverain that François-Paul chose to gift his mentor, George Daniels, as most exemplary of his work in 2010.

Put simply, this was one of the most over-engineered uncomplicated calibres from any manufacture in 2005 and still today. Calibre 1304 is based on dual mainspring barrels for more even torque and is hewn almost entirely of pink gold. The Chronomètre Souverain has a unique finish compared to everything else in the catalogue, with a base plate soleil . Bridges are striped and chamfered beautifully, with a sense of space and openness reminiscent of 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. This example is cased at 40mm in pink gold, with traditional 3-body construction and the signature rope crown. Calibre 1304 allows the Chronomètre Souverain case to wear remarkably planted and flat on wrist at just 8.0mm thin.

The Chronomètre Souverain quietly provided an approachable entry to the world of mechanical François-Paul Journe for many years after debut, but is increasingly regarded today as the ultimate in FP Journe simplicity. This is traditional, manually-wound watchmaking focused on chronometric performance, which allows for an ultra-flat wearing experience like no other Journe. It is understated, refined in the details, and perfectly proportioned: Journe's watchmaking, just distilled. It should be no surprise that the Chronomètre Souverain was the watch François-Paul thought befitting of his mentor, Daniels. One does not long for complication when the fundamentals are executed with an unrivaled creative and skillful mastery. The Havana dial simply takes all this seriousness and gives it a brilliant depth, one which reminds of tropical climates, cigars, and sunsets. 

This Chronomètre Souverain Havana presents in excellent overall condition. The case shows only light signs of surface wear with no significant marks. Its calibre 1304 is running well in specification on our timing equipment. It comes with its complete original set, strap, and pin buckle.

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