Is F.P. Journe's Natural Escapement Reliable?
Peter Elliot Glomb
3,947 views
In this video, I diagnose a 2024 F.P. Journe Optimum that is periodically stopping. There are many interesting findings as these have not been exposed to such great extent on the internet aside from the information by FPJ themselves.
My speculation is that the escape wheels are being coated with something that is breaking down over a short period of time (in this case, 2 years) which is creating a black residue build up on the escape wheel teeth. There's a chance I'm wrong but when you leave an escapement un-lubricated as they claim, there wouldn't be anything present unlike what we're seeing here. Especially considering this is a 2024 produced watch which should have several of years before it needs maintenance.
My argument based on these findings is the following: why not just lubricate the escapement since the maintenance intervals are not improved by leaving it without lubrication (or by coating the wheels).
It's also important to mention, during the first control test when unwinding the watch and oscillating the balance wheel there is a chance the escapement is in an intermittent orientation which can "lock" the natural escapement but I tried to re-orientate the escapement several times during this test and got similar results. The point is, the escapement was binding in some ways prior to cleaning the escapement wheels due to this black residue which was actually stopping the watch periodically and after cleaning the wheels and lubricating the escapement, the watch was able to run for an entire power reserve cycle without stopping (which is 70 hours).
One thing I didn't mention that I respect about this escapement is the fact that they didn't use silicon. I share FPJ's views regarding silicon since it is not a traditional material and can easily break, the repairability is heavily limited. I believe in restoration as you probably can all guess considering that is my full time job. These watches should last centuries if we continue to breed high-level watchmakers but silicon can create a problem for independent watchmakers when restoring a watch in the distant future assuming these brands will not last forever but their watches should!
I also failed to explain what a remontoir is which might be confusing for those who keep hearing me say that without knowing what it is. This is a constant force mechanism that constantly detaches and reattaches from the power supplied by the barrels. It is driven by the barrels but the remontoir spring is what drives it when it's detached. It will actually stop functioning towards the end of the power reserve which means, it is attached to the barrels towards the end of the power reserve and will not show this "ticking" or deadbeat function.
20 Comments
Edit: what a beautiful movement.
So far my attempts with beryllium screwdrivers is they bend before the screw opens but I’m a beginner so I’m encouraged to see you’re using them successfully.
I assume your work on this watch wouldn’t prevent the company from repairing it in the future if the owner so desires, since whatever you’ve done is undetectable?
It's unbelievably gorgeous and definitely high horology, in my opinion, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't go without criticism. There's a certain arrogance that's kind of off-putting.
Another great video. My only complaint is it's too short. I could watch this for hours. 😊
Is F.P. Journe's Natural Escapement Reliable?
Peter Elliot Glomb
3,947 views
In this video, I diagnose a 2024 F.P. Journe Optimum that is periodically stopping. There are many interesting findings as these have not been exposed to such great extent on the internet aside from the information by FPJ themselves.
My speculation is that the escape wheels are being coated with something that is breaking down over a short period of time (in this case, 2 years) which is creating a black residue build up on the escape wheel teeth. There's a chance I'm wrong but when you leave an escapement un-lubricated as they claim, there wouldn't be anything present unlike what we're seeing here. Especially considering this is a 2024 produced watch which should have several of years before it needs maintenance.
My argument based on these findings is the following: why not just lubricate the escapement since the maintenance intervals are not improved by leaving it without lubrication (or by coating the wheels).
It's also important to mention, during the first control test when unwinding the watch and oscillating the balance wheel there is a chance the escapement is in an intermittent orientation which can "lock" the natural escapement but I tried to re-orientate the escapement several times during this test and got similar results. The point is, the escapement was binding in some ways prior to cleaning the escapement wheels due to this black residue which was actually stopping the watch periodically and after cleaning the wheels and lubricating the escapement, the watch was able to run for an entire power reserve cycle without stopping (which is 70 hours).
One thing I didn't mention that I respect about this escapement is the fact that they didn't use silicon. I share FPJ's views regarding silicon since it is not a traditional material and can easily break, the repairability is heavily limited. I believe in restoration as you probably can all guess considering that is my full time job. These watches should last centuries if we continue to breed high-level watchmakers but silicon can create a problem for independent watchmakers when restoring a watch in the distant future assuming these brands will not last forever but their watches should!
I also failed to explain what a remontoir is which might be confusing for those who keep hearing me say that without knowing what it is. This is a constant force mechanism that constantly detaches and reattaches from the power supplied by the barrels. It is driven by the barrels but the remontoir spring is what drives it when it's detached. It will actually stop functioning towards the end of the power reserve which means, it is attached to the barrels towards the end of the power reserve and will not show this "ticking" or deadbeat function.