Journe’s Jewel: The Optimum Watch and Its Revolutionary Mechanism

The F.P. Journe Optimum is a poster model displayed on the backdrop wall of the official F.P. Journe store in Japan. This watch represents a concept that Journe himself has been contemplating since the 1990s, and it stands as one of his most personally satisfying creations.

The complex series has always been Journe’s main battlefield, and the Optimum is especially valued by him due to its long period of development (during which he also developed the self-striking and resonance mechanisms) and its signature eccentric layout. Based on the CS caliber design, it employs a double barrel for stable power. However, compared to the CS, it includes many additional enhancements and treatments.

The back of the watch is astonishingly beautiful, featuring edges along the gear shapes that resemble natural ravines. From every angle, one can appreciate the beauty of the gold bridges and their cross-sections. Intriguingly, a jumping seconds mechanism is placed in the top right corner, a mysterious and understated feature.

More importantly, this device divides the power into six equal parts for a constant power output and uses a double coaxial escapement for the final constant power delivery.