Case: Tantalum, with polished finishing. Sapphire crystal display back. Signed.
Dial: Blue dial, which shifts color depending on the light from almost black to a bright blue. Cream hands, indicators, and Arabic numerals. Hours, minutes, and small seconds. Journe hands. Signed.
Movement: In-house F.P. Journe manual wind caliber 1304. 18k gold movement with 22 jewels. Adjusted to six positions. Straight-line lever escapement. Monometallic 4-arm balance with 4 eccentric timing weights. Shock absorber. Self-compensating free sprung flat balance spring. Twin barrels. Gold wheel train. 21,600 vibrations per hour. Power reserve of 56 hours.
Diameter: 39mm, 8.9mm thickness.
Crystal: Sapphire crystal.
Condition: Excellent condition with original box and papers.
More about F.P. Journe:
François-Paul Journe introduced the Chronomètre Bleu in 2009. The watch is an entry-level watch in his collection, but it is, at the same time, also the most unique.
The case is made of tantalum, a rare metal which is as heavy as platinum and extremely strong, which makes it very difficult to machine. Tantalum is a dark grey metal with a blue undertone. Among other F.P. Journe offerings, the size is unique. At 39mm it is now the smallest offering from the watchmaker.
The watch has an incredible iridescent blue dial which is made in house by F.P. Journe. It is the most complicated dial made by the manufacture. The chrome blue color is obtained from multiple layers of blue lacquer, applied by hand and each polished to a mirror finish before the next one is applied. As you can see, the dial changes color tone from a very dark midnight blue to a bright blue depending on the play of the light.
The movement of the Chronomètre Bleu is the caliber 1304, which is also employed with the Chronomètre Souverain, a watch by F.P. Journe offered in platinum and rose gold at a much higher price point. A movement made entirely in gold with a double barrel and 56 hour power reserve as well as a hidden gear train.