Masamasa Hirota, also known as Hakase, editor-in-chief of the watch magazine Chronos Japan, will be publishing five columns on webChronos about masterpiece movements, written in 2024. The fifth installment focuses on the Caliber 1210, created by François-Paul Journe in pursuit of the ideal quartz watch.
[Article featured in Movement Book 2024]
Journe Quartz? The Masterful Caliber "Cal.1210"
François-Paul Journe is a master designer who has been called the "Breguet of the 21st century." His timepieces, which take inspiration from classic 18th and 19th century timepieces while adding their own unique touches, exude a unique presence. However, Journe's creative ambitions were not necessarily limited to mechanical watches.
The "Elegant," released by FP Journe in 2014, is a model equipped with a quartz movement. At a time when even major manufacturers were reluctant to produce new quartz movements, Journe dared to develop its own quartz movement. Realizing that women preferred quartz watches, Journe incorporated a unique feature into his watches: long battery life. Not only did he use the largest possible battery, but to extend battery life, the watch goes into standby mode after approximately 30 to 40 minutes of non-use. Furthermore, even if the watch stops, it will display the current time when worn again. These mechanisms theoretically extend battery life to approximately 18 years (although the recommended battery replacement interval is approximately 8 to 10 years).
On the other hand, the Elegant is equipped with thick, long hands comparable to those of a mechanical watch. It is generally said that the torque of a quartz movement is only about half that of a mechanical one, but Journe explains that by installing two motors it is possible to turn the heavy hands. This is a fairly luxurious design for a normal three-hand watch. In addition, the gear train is designed to keep rotating even when it runs out of oil, so that no maintenance is required until the battery is replaced. Furthermore, by using non-magnetic materials for the pinion and other parts, magnetic resistance has been improved.
Journe said, "I decided to create the watch I wanted without worrying too much about what others thought." To be honest, it wasn't well received when it was released, but now the Elegant is the most difficult model to obtain in the FP Journe line.
The Cal. 1210 was created by the genius Journe in his quest to create the ideal quartz watch. While it may not be as interesting as a mechanical movement, it is still a masterpiece of quartz watch design, showcasing the skill of a master craftsman.
