F.P.Journe London boutique Watch Feature
The F.P.Journe London boutique, the Maison’s 11th boutique, opened its doors in December 2023. Angus Davies takes a closer look at the brand, its founder’s hands-on approach and the various delights that await horophiles visiting 33 Bruton Street.
F.P.Journe depuis 1999
François-Paul Journe established his eponymous Maison in 1999. Today, the Swiss marque, ‘F.P.Journe‘, is familiar to the majority of watch collectors. Monsieur Journe has gained a reputation for being an aesthete, an inventor, a shrewd businessman and a hugely talented watchmaker. Indeed, based on his impressive complement of skills, many industry commentators, myself included, cite Journe as the finest living watchmaker on the planet. Moreover, this son of Marseille is not only held in the highest esteem by the cognoscenti, he is also considered the darling of the auction scene with many of his timepieces fetching eye-watering sums.
Image – François-Paul Journe (left), Shawn Mehta (centre) and Amélie Lefevere, CEO of F.P. Journe (right)
F.P.Journe Tokyo boutique opens 2003
Eager to present his watches in the perfect setting, Journe opened his inaugural boutique in Tokyo back in 2003. At the time this was very unusual as most purveyors of Haute Horlogerie chose to sell their watches in multi-brand stores.
The complexity of many of F.P.Journe timepieces, together with their refined composition, demands a high-level of product knowledge, hence Monsieur Journe recruits watch specialists, keen to deliver an unprecedented level of professionalism in all his boutiques.
F.P.Journe London boutique – a familiar location
A few weeks ago, F.P.Journe opened a boutique in London, located in the über-luxurious enclave of Mayfair. Positioned on Bruton Street, equidistant from Berkeley Square and Bond Street, the new premises were once home to the prestigious gunmaker, Holland & Holland.
Some Journe devotees may recall the Maison releasing the ‘F.P.Journe Chronomètre Holland & Holland’ watch back in 2017. This limited-edition timepiece was endowed with a Damascus pattern dial made using vintage gun barrels. The watch was sold to the clients of both F.P.Journe and Holland & Holland, hence the great man’s timepieces were previously sold at 33 Bruton Street several years prior to the inauguration of the F.P.Journe London boutique.
Image – F.P.Journe Chronomètre Holland & Holland (2017)
F.P.Journe London boutique – a microcosm of rue de l’Arquebuse
François-Paul Journe, a man known for being a perfectionist as well as having an incredible eye for detail, has always adopted a ‘hands-on approach’ to all areas of his business. This fastidious approach has come to define not only Journe’s timepieces but also his approach to life. It should therefore come as no surprise to learn that he was instrumental in the interior design of the company’s head office, located on 17 rue de l’Arquebuse in Geneva.
F.P.Journe London boutique – a rare experience
Resembling the interior of Maison’s headquarters on rue de l’Arquebuse, as well as the company’s other boutiques, visitors to 33 Bruton Street will discover a bar, a library packed with numerous horological books, as well as various models on display. Fortunate visitors may see an F.P.Journe Chronomètre Optimum, a Répétition Souveraine, a Chronomètre a Résonance or maybe a Tourbillon Souverain Vertical. I use the word, ‘fortunate’ as F.P.Journe watches remain comparatively rare due to the brand’s limited production capacity.
The Geneva-based brand has always placed much importance in forging relationships not only with collectors, but also with watch enthusiasts who may lack the necessary financial means to own an F.P.Journe but still appreciate the excellence of the Maison’s products. On the first Tuesday of every month, the F.P.Journe London boutique holds an ‘aperitif’, where likeminded souls can meet and share their passion for Haute Horlogerie over a drink.
With the advent of the F.P.Journe London boutique, visitors to England’s capital should make the time to visit this haven of horological delights; it’s a rare experience indeed.
Contact details
- Boutique F.P.Journe London, 33 Bruton Street, London, W11J 6HH
- T: +44 (0) 20 3771 7383
- E: london@fpjourne.com
- W: https://www.fpjourne.com/en