Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Embrace MP6068-SS001-160-1

The first ladies collection by F.P Journe a revolutionary horological concept

Always ahead of his time, conciliating tradition, innovation and modern technology, f.p.journe has developed a revolutionary horological concept for his first ladies collection. It was designed and conceived exclusively for women, with extremely precise technical specifications to provide this watch a long autonomy of 8 to 10 years in daily use and up to 18 years in standby mode.

8 years of development were necessary for this innovative movement that combines a great comfort of use and the performances of an electro-mechanical watch with feminity, elegance and precision. The “élégante” allows the time to be stopped and started again. This is the dream of all watchmakers…

The concept of this electro-mechanical watch features a mechanical motion detector visible on the dial at 4:30. When the “élégante” is motionless, it goes in stand by mode after 35 minutes to save its energy and the hands stop turning. During the standby mode, the microprocessor continues to keep time, while the mechanical parts – gears, rotors and hands – stop moving. When the “élégante” is moved again, the hands sets themselves automatically to the current time, taking the shortest path – either clockwise or counter clockwise.

All the mechanical elements of the “élégante” movement are manufactured by f.p.journe, based on the brand’s own criteria of excellence in state-of-the-art haute horology. The electronic components are made in switzerland according to exclusive standards, with a microprocessor specifically created for the watch.

The luminescent dial of the “élégante” in the titanium versions recalls the shimmering surface of white mother-of-pearl. It offers maximum legibility, by day and by night. At night the hands count off the hours, as in a shadow theatre. As a finishing touch to his first ladies collection, f.p.journe has chosen a flat tortue case, whose design is trademarked.

As françois-Paul Journe says: “i created this watch because for 20 years, women have been asking me to design a watch for them; a watch that was different and comfortable to wear, and that suited their needs and desires. I therefore created this long-lasting watch especially for them. Today the “élégante” features the only electro-mechanical movement conceived and created for the luxury market and offering a true vision of luxury.”

The “élégante” 40mm titanium is available with 8 coloured rubber straps: white, powder rose, orange, chocolate, black, anthracite, midnight blue and khaki green. The ergonomic shape of the straps perfectly embraces the wrist.

The Chronomètre Bleu offers an uncluttered approach to high precision, with irreproachable chronometric proprerties. It is innovative, with a 39 mm case made of Tantalum, a rare dark grey metal with blue overtones, so named for the “Torment of Tantalus” in reference to the Greek mythology. Tantalum is a metal rarely used in watchmaking because it is very hard and difficult to fashion (its fusion temperature is 3016° and its density 16.65 g/cm3). It is also valued for its extremely high resistance to corrosion and wear, and its bio compatibility.

The blue chrome dial, which perfectly complements the colour of the case, has been redesigned with the latest trends in mind, and features cream-coloured hands and large Arabic numerals.

The Chronomètre Bleu’s 18 K rose Gold mechanical movement with manual winding oscillates at 21,600 vibrations per hour. Twin barrels, in the classic configuration of precision watches, work in parallel to deliver stable power for most of the watch’s 56-hour autonomy. The F.P.Journe freesprung chronometer balance, with inertia adjustment via four opposing weights, is dynamically adjusted in six positions.