Independent Watchmaking

F.P. Journe Introduces the FFC

by Cheryl Chia . Mar 29, 2023

F.P. Journe Introduces the FFC

This year, F.P. Journe has unveiled the production version of the ingenious one-off FFC Blue “Francis Ford Coppola” created for Only Watch 2021, which sold for CHF 4.5 million, setting a record for the watchmaker at auction. The watch was a tantalum prototype that featured an animated hand that could count out the hours from one to 12 by extending or retracting its fingers instantaneously while the minutes is displayed on a rotating disc.

Produced in a small series, the regular-production FFC is introduced as part of the Classique collection. It has been executed in platinum with an open-worked dial that features an imposing sculpted hand made of titanium along with titanium movement bridges that have been coated with Titalyt, lending it a more subdued yet striking contrast.

Inspired by a mechanical prosthetic hand invented by Ambroise Paré (1509-1590), the father of modern surgery, the life-like movements of the fingers are governed by a set of cams that actuate levers responsible for extending or retracting the individual fingers. The cams are in turn driven by a two-pronged fork that is controlled by an eccentric cam in its centre. A spring akin to a remontoir drives this eccentric cam, storing energy as it is wound for 45 minutes and releasing it instantaneously at the top of each hour.

Inspired by a mechanical prosthetic hand invented by Ambroise Paré (1509-1590)

The movement is the Octa Caliber 1300.3, which is characterized by a one-meter-long mainspring that crosses the central axis of the movement, offering a power reserve of 120 hours, or five days. Visible on the back, it is wound by a 22k gold unidirectional winding rotor that is ever so slightly off-centered.

F.P. Journe FFC (Front)

F.P. Journe FFC (Back)

Tech Specs

Movement: Self-winding F.P. Journe calibre 1300.3 in 18K rose gold; power reserve of five days; 3Hz or 21,600vph
Functions: Hours and minutes
Case: 42mm x 10.7mm; Platinum
Dial: Instantaneous digital hours indicated by the animated fingers of a titanium hand; rotating minutes dial
Strap: Black alligator

Brands:
F.P. Journe

Tech Specs

You may also like