Chronomètre Bleu BYBLOS
No. 67 out of 99 pieces
Circa 2015
Technical specifications:
Tantalum case, 39 mm diameter, sapphire caseback.
F.P. Journe Byblos logo engraved on the movement in 18ct rose gold, with the "J" written in the Phoenician alphabet.
Manual-winding chronometer with 2 parallel barrels.
Chronometric balance with 4 weights, Nivatronic hairspring.
Frequency: 21,600 vph (A/h).
Hours and minutes at center, small seconds at 7:30.
Power reserve: 56 hours ± 2h.
Open worked dial with blue hour ring, Arabic numerals, and ivory-coloured hands.
The Cosmic Sunburst dial: While the standard Chronomètre Bleu is famous for its solid, mirror-polished chrome-blue dial, the Byblos flips the script by opting for a semi-skeletonized (cut-out) dial.
The Center: The middle of the dial is entirely cut away, exposing the gorgeous, solid 18k rose gold mechanical movement beneath. The top plate of the movement is decorated with a beautiful barleycorn guilloché pattern.
The Outer Ring: The movement is surrounded by a vibrant, Mediterranean-blue hour track featuring Western Arabic numerals. The web-like, open-worked pattern of the cut-out was designed to mimic the Mediterranean sky with rays of bright sunshine bursting through.
Calibre 1304 Movement: Through the front and the sapphire crystal caseback, you can view the manual-winding Calibre 1304.
True to F.P. Journe's ultra-luxury standards, the mainplate and bridges are crafted from solid 18k rose gold. It features twin barrels operating in parallel to deliver 56 hours of smooth, uniform power. The design utilizes a "mysterious" gear train that is hidden entirely beneath the dial, making the balance wheel look as though it is beating in total isolation.
Released in 2014, it is a legendary piece among watch collectors. It was created as a limited edition of just 99 pieces to commemorate the opening of F.P. Journe's 10th global boutique, located in Beirut, Lebanon. The watch is named after Byblos, an ancient Phoenician port city just north of Beirut, widely regarded as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
The Byblos stands out as a fascinating, poetic departure from François-Paul Journe's traditionally conservative aesthetic.
Because F.P Journe rarely alters the architecture of his foundational pieces for limited editions, the Byblos is considered a holy grail for independent watch enthusiasts -- representing a perfect crossover of high-end horology, ancient history, and rare artistic playfulness.
Because the watch honors Lebanese heritage, F.P. Journe hid a brilliant easter egg on the dial:
At 12 o'clock, look closely at the stamped "F.P. Journe" logo. Additionally, the letter "J" has been replaced with the letter "Yodh" from the ancient Phoenician alphabet. In fact, in Phoenician, Yodh is pronounced like a "J," but it also translates to "hand" (representing hand-craftsmanship) and represents the number ten (a nod to the 10th boutique).
Like the standard Chronomètre Bleu, the Byblos features a 39mm case made of tantalum. Tantalum is a rare, dense, and incredibly hard-to-machine metal. It has a distinct, lustrous, dark bluish-gray hue that perfectly complements the Mediterranean blue accents on the dial. Despite its tough exterior, the watch remains remarkably slim at just 8.6mm thick.
