In Focus: F.P. Journe CT2RG Centigraphe

An unwritten rule of the watch world is that a chronograph requires some motorsport heritage to be a bona fide “racing chronograph.” The F.P. Journe Centigraphe is no exception, but it backs the technical watchmaking prowess of Fançois-Paul Journe with a genuine motorsport pedigree.

The Centigraphe is the result of a failed attempt by Journe to create a chronograph in the 1990’s. Several years later, an encounter with Jean Todt, then head of Scuderia Ferrari, Ferrari’s racing division, led to the revival of this idea, as the pair discussed the ideal chronograph for motorsports. The Centigraphe was worn racing by Jean Alesi in the Indy 500, and F.P. Journe also sponsored Alesi’s son, Giuliano, in GP3, conferring the Centigraphe’s true motorsport lineage.

As the name suggests, the Centigraphe times to the 100th of a second. The 100th of a second hand moves so quickly when activated that it is hard to believe that this watch is actually mechanical. One of the most unique features of the Centigraphe is that it can read speeds between 6 km/h to 36,000 km/h, the speed of a rocket leaving orbit.

The Centigraphe has received two patents, one for power management and the other for the innovative rocker switch to activate and reset the chronograph. Journe also won the Aiguille d’Or award at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in 2008 for the Centigraphe Souverain.

Of the Centigraphe iterations from the LineSport collection, the CT2RG is the ultimate luxury sports watch. The hammered finish on the case and bracelet brings a unique character to the piece, something distinctly different from a polished rose gold sports watch. The texture offers a more subtle – and almost rugged – approach to an all-gold watch; it feels like something you actually would want to wear to play sports. Journe even upgraded the movement from the aluminum movement in Titanium CT2 to rose gold, matching the case and bracelet and giving the watch a wonderful wrist presence.

François-Paul Journe may be better known for his tourbillon, the Chronomètre à Résonance, or early brass movement pieces, but it does not get much better than the Centigraphe, especially in 18k 6N rose gold. The watch is delightfully heavy and features a movement that could make any watchmaker jealous. With a heritage in modern motorsport, a beautiful and innovative finish, and the watchmaking of F.P. Journe, the Centigraphe CT2RG a triumph of modern horology.

The Specs

Model: F.P. Journe Linesport Centigraphe

Reference Number: CT2 RG BR

Case Size + Material: 44mm case in 18k rose gold

Caseback: Exhibition caseback

Movement: Manually-wound mechanical movement

Functions:  Hours, minutes, 1/100th of a second chronograph with a one-second register, a 20-second register, and a 10-minute register

Strap/Bracelet: 18k rose gold bracelet