FP Journe

[CarlOver]

The watches are very interesting in my opinion. I’ve seen a few in person, but not the ones I would gravitate towards. I took a deep dive and watched numerous videos and read many articles and forum posts. What is interesting to me is the role that the 1916 Company plays in this story. Was told by an employee that they have about 150 watches but only list a very small portion of them. They are not really interested interested I selling them since they will be worth more in 6 months.

Some have said they have bolstered the brand. Some are concerned about the role one player with this type of inventory can have. But what effect could that be? Did they buy low and will sell high? Surely, they wouldn’t do a pump and dump and some have speculated.

One thing that comes across clearly is the passion for the brand that many FPJ owners have. Since MSRP is not listed on the site MSRP vs secondary market value is an unknown. But knowing that what you bought a while back has tremendous current value in the secondary must feel quite good.

What are your thoughts on this? Thanks for the input.

[llngoc]

I doubt resale value plays a role in most of the FPJ collectors’ minds.

The 1916/watchbox definitely created a market but not sure how much more clout they have now.

Buy what you enjoy and if it goes up in value, it is a bonus. But if you have no plan of flipping, it is just a mind game.

[codecow]

As an old school owner I have to say I enjoy anything that makes my collection worth more money.

[enjoythemusic]

I appreciate his offerings. Have seen a few and always come away impressed. Plus they're a bit more attainable (~1000 / year) from an AD than some other independents.

[WatchEater666]

1916 has done a good job of marketing the brand. They used to be available at steep discounts all day long prior to 1916's involvement, same with DB.

[llngoc]

Originally Posted by WatchEater666

1916 has done a good job of marketing the brand. They used to be available at steep discounts all day long prior to 1916's involvement, same with DB.

They did well with FPJ but not sure about DB. The used market price is artificially inflated by 1916 but the demand is not there. So it is very illiquid for the DB market.

[BraveBold]

I am not an owner but know a couple owners who really enjoy the brand. Beautiful watches.

[GB-man]

Yes Govberg used to be an FPJ AD and I bought my first from them. I also bought my first Patek from
them in 2013. They get a bad rap for being the elephant in the room but honestly George Mayer has treated me extremely well over the years providing excellent service and prices where possible.

Journe gave them the boot when they went boutique only around late 2021. I don’t think the goverbergs took it well initially as they did indeed play a key role in marketing the brand early on and playing market maker for the secondary.

Yes they still hold a lot of inventory but honestly I think the market has moved well past 1916 controlling anything. There’s strong demand for journe. They are the most established “Independent” and sort of occupy their own space. I believe it’s a combination of the watches themselves being gorgeous and their reluctance to overproduce even during the madness.

Watches are s*** investments. Journes are some of the least s*** but still cannot compete with equities.

[pdnb]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Yes Govberg used to be an FPJ AD and I bought my first from them. I also bought my first Patek from
them in 2013. They get a bad rap for being the elephant in the room but honestly George Mayer has treated me extremely well over the years providing excellent service and prices where possible.

Journe gave them the boot when they went boutique only around late 2021. I don’t think the goverbergs took it well initially as they did indeed play a key role in marketing the brand early on and playing market maker for the secondary.

Yes they still hold a lot of inventory but honestly I think the market has moved well past 1916 controlling anything. There’s strong demand for journe. They are the most established “Independent” and sort of occupy their own space. I believe it’s a combination of the watches themselves being gorgeous and their reluctance to overproduce even during the madness.

Watches are s*** investments. Journes are some of the least s*** but still cannot compete with equities.

Agree; it’s the least shite investment that you can wear. And equities are way better as an investment


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[Toffeeman]

Just got mine after a 4 year wait. I buy cos I like it. Investment should be secondary


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[shafran]

I had journes before they skyrocketed. I liked them but everyone i owned had quality issues. My tastes changed to sportier watches and sold before they tripled over msrp. I bought them used ay discount from listso was ok. Nice watches but worth buying at list, not these inflated prices. Like anything else the bubble will eventually burst

[tigerpac]

Watchbox/1916 has was less FPJ inventory lately than they did back in the day but can source pieces as well.

[ajw45]

Originally Posted by shafran

I had journes before they skyrocketed. I liked them but everyone i owned had quality issues. My tastes changed to sportier watches and sold before they tripled over msrp. I bought them used ay discount from listso was ok. Nice watches but worth buying at list, not these inflated prices. Like anything else the bubble will eventually burst

Yeah, amazing how things change. I wonder if quality control and testing has gotten better over the years or the hype is so strong the new owners don't complain. Even if things are better today I won't buy from a brand that puts the responsibility for beta testing with (paying) customers.

[rmlovett1]

I think they're fantastic watches and will own one at some point. They are certainly a hot commodity right now. (According to my friend who owns the local watch dealer)

[APhound]

You know I’ve never been able to figure out the market on these. I remember shopping for the one I have and there were two for sale that I could find, the one I bought and another one for twice as much money. I have absolutely no clue what it was worth then and even less of an idea now.
But whatever- it’s nice and I enjoy having it. I’ve never seen another one personally.


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[Pw92676]

Personally I find these very nice but have no desire to enter this arena. If the value of these steers interest away from other brands, I’m all for it lol.

[1William]

I admire them from afar.

[Toffeeman]

Even for me - Happy just to have one. Most likely no more.


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[Easy E]

Originally Posted by 1William

I admire them from afar.

I admire them from farther than that

[GB-man]

Needs more pics

[llngoc]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Needs more pics

Agree! Here is another one.

[EdwardC]

If I have the money (dont even know how much) and it's available:

[dchang81]

I love their perpetual, and weirdly "cheap" considering the prices of other similar brands. If I had the budget for one id want one in a heartbeat

[llngoc]

Originally Posted by dchang81

I love their perpetual, and weirdly "cheap" considering the prices of other similar brands. If I had the budget for one id want one in a heartbeat

Maybe the missing moonphase gives you a discount

Seriously, the boutique edition with the blue dial is stunning.

[ChetBaker]

I love the design language but I never understood how Journe gets away with his level of finishing in a world where independents seem to be measured on beveling, internal angles and black polishing first.

[pdnb]

Originally Posted by llngoc

Maybe the missing moonphase gives you a discount

Seriously, the boutique edition with the blue dial is stunning.

Taken a few months back; here with the OEM navy blue; but also looks awesome with the Orange OEM


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[Jay (Eire)]

Originally Posted by ChetBaker

I love the design language but I never understood how Journe gets away with his level of finishing in a world where independents seem to be measured on beveling, internal angles and black polishing first.

To paraphrase someone wiser and more learned than I, any fool can learn to finish a watch well.

This hyper focus on finishing is a relatively new thing, of course it was there before but it was not the measure by which all indies are assessed (as it seems to be in recent years).

[Jay (Eire)]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

I appreciate his offerings. Have seen a few and always come away impressed. Plus they're a bit more attainable (~1000 / year) from an AD than some other independents.

Just to offer a counter on this; despite the numbers I think we all know Urwerk, MB&F, Gauthier, Krayon, GF, De Bethune, Berthoud, Laurent Ferrier, to name an immediate few are all more readily available than Journe. Each producing as you know far less than ~1000 watches.

The reality is demand for Journe remains “bananas” (technical term LOL), even if it’s come off a bit from the peak.

[llngoc]

Originally Posted by Jay (Eire)

To paraphrase someone wiser and more learned than I, any fool can learn to finish a watch well.

This hyper focus on finishing is a relatively new thing, of course it was there before but it was not the measure by which all indies are assessed (as it seems to be in recent years).

The Patek’s from yesteryears all have closed case backs. And I think almost all of them has all the fine finishes which are in vogue today. But no one seemed to care back then.

Ironically, now we have display case backs and the finishing quality is…

[WatchEater666]

Originally Posted by Jay (Eire)

To paraphrase someone wiser and more learned than I, any fool can learn to finish a watch well.

This hyper focus on finishing is a relatively new thing, of course it was there before but it was not the measure by which all indies are assessed (as it seems to be in recent years).

Journe is famously unreliable. The resonance doesn’t really work consistently.