FP Journe's third directly operated boutique is located in Geneva's old town. While the store is located right next to the FP Journe headquarters, it has a wide reach, as expected of a brand with customers from all over the world. If you have the opportunity to visit Geneva, even just stopping by to look at the watches will immerse you in the world of FP Journe.
Photographs by Eiichi Okuyama, Yu Mitamura
Masamasa Hirota (this magazine): Interview and writing
Text by Masayuki Hirota (Chronos-Japan)
Edited by Yukiya Suzuki (Chronos-Japan)
[Article published in the July 2026 issue of Kronos Japan]
FP Journe Geneva Boutique facing Place Longemalle
"The FP Journe Geneva boutique is to La Scala in Milan."
"We're thrilled to be able to offer such a wide selection of products at our boutique," says manager Tony Tankoff. The boutique, located on Place Longemalle in the historic center of Geneva, opened in April 2007.
"We were the first to open a boutique here," says Tankov. "After that, other companies started opening stores here, and now it's like clockwork."
Although not large, the FP Journe boutique is well known for the breadth and depth of its clientele. "The level of our clientele is high because they come from all over the world. We have 20 to 30 incredible customers." It's understandable that some people would think that if they were to buy an FP Journe watch, they would want to do it in Geneva, the brand's home base.
The boutique's stance is to expand its opportunities to meet good customers. "We want to sell watches not for investment value, but to people who truly love them. That's why we welcome friends of our customers. We also hope that old and new customers can get to know each other better." This is the reason why the Geneva boutique continues to maintain an atmosphere that makes it easy to enter.
To be honest, if you are a collector living in Japan, you have the option of the Tokyo boutique. The first boutique in Japan to open in the world is a little different from the other boutiques. However, if you have the opportunity to stop by Geneva, where FP Journe's headquarters are located, this boutique is well worth a visit.
Released in 2005, the Chronomètre Souverain is an FP Journe icon and a timeless classic. While it's certainly not a watch you can buy straight away, you'll understand why it's so popular when you touch it. Even within the FP Journe collection, known for its exceptional comfort, this model stands out from the crowd. Manual winding (Cal. 1304). 22 jewels. 21,600 vph. Power reserve of approximately 56 hours. Pt case (40mm diameter, 8.6mm thick). Water resistant to 3 bar. Reference product.
This magnificent timepiece is based on the Tourbillon Souverain and features a total of 93 baguette-cut diamonds, totaling 22.59 carats, set in the case. The tourbillon carriage, positioned perpendicular to the dial, rotates at a rate of 30 seconds, twice that of the previous model. Manually wound (Cal. 1519). 32 jewels. 21,600 vibrations per hour. Power reserve: approximately 80 hours. Pt case (diameter 44mm, thickness 13.76mm). Water resistant to 3 bar. Reference product.
This is a model with a Titalyt case. The stone setting, which looks like a baguette setting, is actually made with prongs. This is because the soft titanium material does not provide a strong support, but the protruding prongs are used as a design accent. A newly developed black luminous paint is applied to the entire dial, enhancing its practicality. Quartz movement (Cal. 1210). Titalyt case (48mm x 40mm, 7.35mm thick). Water resistant to 3 ATM. Reference product.
Serge Cukrowicz, affectionately known as "Gino," was a close friend and business partner of François-Paul Journe. The elegant, so-called rainbow-colored watch was created in his memory. Its vibrant colors are reminiscent of Gino's love of colorful clothing. The bezel is made of colored sapphire crystal rather than precious or semi-precious stones. This not only stabilizes the color, but also keeps the price down. Reference product.
FP Journe Restaurant, with chef Dominique Gautier
François-Paul Journe has achieved great success as a watchmaker, but his tastes have remained constant: watches, alcohol, and food. A former restaurant owner, he opened a shop in Geneva's old town where he can fulfill his tastes.
On November 1, 2023, FP Journe opened a restaurant at 49 Rue du Rhône in Geneva, Switzerland. His chosen partner is one of Switzerland's most renowned chefs, Dominique Gautier. He entered culinary school at the age of 14 and joined the prestigious Beau Rivage Hotel in Geneva at the age of 25, where he served as sous chef for 10 years and as head chef for 22 years. When the management changed due to the COVID-11 pandemic, François-Paul Journe approached him to take over.
"We wanted to create a place where people could enjoy fine dining in an informal environment, without the feeling that waiters were always standing in the background. Besides, a formal atmosphere doesn't suit the current era," they said. After a 15-minute conversation, they hit it off and opened a completely new restaurant while preserving the atmosphere of the restaurant built in 1912.
"We have something in common; I like being in the kitchen, and François-Paul likes to be always in the workshop," says Gautier. The restaurant is decorated with clock-related decorations and has tables named after watchmakers, but its aim is not to cater to watch enthusiasts. "It's a restaurant for local customers, not tourists. People in Geneva go to the mountains on Friday nights and don't come back to the restaurant until Monday, so we only serve lunch on Fridays."
Based on Mediterranean cuisine, Gautier's cuisine, combining his experience and local ingredients, is solid yet unlike anything else. It's no surprise that Journe chose him as his partner.
This restaurant has already been awarded a Michelin star in just its first year of operation, so we highly recommend that you make a reservation in advance if you plan to visit.
