The meeting between Holland & Holland with F.P. Journe could only result in a common project in partnership. It immediately sparked the desire to produce something unique for a special occasion. Over time, the project has evolved, notably thanks to the discovery of two antique and rare Damascus steel Holland & Holland guns. Each one is over one hundred years old, and the know-how that went into making them has been since forgotten.

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Always in the search for something exceptional, unique and innovative, F.P. Journe immediately saw the possibility of including these barrels in a unique watch series with a powerful reference to ancient traditions dating back to 1850.

For their part, Holland & Holland was attracted by the idea of allowing two of their museum barrels of over hundred years old to be used to make magnificent haute horology F.P. Journe timepieces. The two barrels were registered by hand in the company's books. Barrel No. 1382, dating to 1868, yielded 38 dials, while barrel No. 7183, dating to 1882, produced 28 dials.

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In order to produce the dials, the gun barrels were first cut along their entire length at the Holland & Holland factory and rolled out to form flat strips. These were cut to into smaller strips, which could then be cleaned, polished and reduced to the required thickness. The material was then sent to F.P. Journe's own dial makers, "Les Cadraniers de Geneve" where the dials were cut out.

They were sent back to Holland & Holland and "browned", a traditional gun-making technique that helps protect the steel and highlights the wonderful patterns created during the original manufacture of Damascus barrels. The process is the same today as it was when the guns were made in the late 1800s. Each dial thus has a unique pattern making each watch unique.

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Given the Holland & Holland steel dial, F.P. Journe's most suitable option was to make a steel case as well. The 39-millimeter diameter easily adapts to most wrists. The sapphire crystal with anti-reflection coating enhances the special wave pattern of the dial.

The two antique Holland & Holland barrels, bearing the serial numbers 1382 (38 dials) and 7183 (28 dials), only allowed for the making of dials that will never exist in any other watch. The Chronometre Holland & Holland is accessible to F.P. Journe and Holland & Holland collectors through an application process.

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Technical Specifications

Movement:

Exclusive F.P. Journe calibre 1304 Manually wound by 38 turns

Movement in 18 K rose Gold with Holland & Holland engraving

Dimensions of the movement:

Diameter : 30.40 mm Casing-up diameter : 29.60 mm Height : 3.75 mm

Height of winding system : 2.30 mm Diameter of stem thread : S 0.90 mm

Balance:

Four inertia weights

Flat Anachron microflamed spring

Mobile stud holders

Free sprung

Nivatronic laser-welded to collet Pinned GE stud

Frequency : 21,600 v / h, (3Hz)

Inertia : 10.10 mg*cm2

Angle of lift : 52°

Amplitude : 0h dial up : > 320°

24h dial up : > 280°

Indications:

Central hours and minutes

Principal characteristics:

Two mainspring barrels in parallel Time adjustment via crown in position 2 Pallet escapement with 15 tooth escape wheel Two position crown

Power reserve:

56 hours ± 2h.

Decoration:

Partly circular grained baseplate, sunburst finishing, Polished screw heads, chamfered slots,

Pegs with polished rounded ends

Case:

Steel

Diameter : 39 mm Height : 8.60 mm

Dial:

Damascus pattern from two antique Holland & Holland gun barrels

Number of pieces_

Movement without dial : 164 Cased-up on leather strap : 198 Jewels : 22

Limited Series:

Damascus Holland & Holland barrel:

No. 1382 dating to 1868 - 38 watches numbered XX/38

No. 7183 dating to 1882 - 28 watches numbered XX/28

Fore more visit F.P. Journe Online.

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