Housed in a 39mm case, the Chronomètre Bleu is one of very few watches to be produced from the rare, dark-grey metal, tantalum. Rarely used in watchmaking due to its difficulty to work with, tantalum is highly resistant to both corrosion and wear. It is also a non-allergenic metal, and so perfectly suited to be worn on the wrist. Measuring at just 8.6mm thick, the Chronomètre Bleu comfortably fits beneath a cuff, and is made distinctive by Journe’s signature ‘flat crown’ with a rope like pattern. Quintessentially an F.P Journe in both its design language and movement, this example was purchased on 16th of July, 2015.

The polished-dial is uncommon and displays various shades of blue, complimenting the grey-blue colour of tantalum. Together, these blue overtones give the watch its name. The signature F.P. Journe style hands are off-white , and contrast the polished dial to improve legibility. The outer track holds embossed decorative arabic numerals, also off-white in colour, that vary in size dependent on their location on the dial. Between 7 and 8 o’clock is a subsidiary seconds, as seen in the Chronomètre Souverain, whilst the Chronomètre Bleu goes without a power-reserve indication. Overall, the dial layout is cleanly designed and excellently legible.

The movement is certainly independent haute horlogerie at its finest. The in-house Calibre 1304 is made entirely of 18-carat rose-gold, and seen through the sapphire caseback. The movement has two mainspring barrels in parallel, which work together, powering the movement. Most impressively, is the chronometric balance fitted into the movement, which helps to provide the accuracy that F.P. Journe has based his watchmaking around. The hand finishing is expertly conducted, mixing a combination of circular graining with sunburst and wave patterns. All screw heads are polished and all edges neatly chamfered with a Côte de Genève motif on the bridges.

This watch comes with a dark-blue alligator strap from F.P. Journe, with its corresponding tantalum tang buckle. It remains in excellent condition, and is available as a full-set, with box, warranty card and user manual.

Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.