F-P-Journe-Centigraphe-CTS2-LineSport-Titanium

Not so Mellow Yellow: The F.P. Journe Centigraphe CTS2 LineSport Titanium

This watch is the combination of two F.P. Journe watches we’ve previously covered here on The Collective. It has the movement architecture of the Centigraphe Souverain with the case and bracelet design of the Octa S Sport. This is the Titanium F.P. Journe Centigraphe CTS2 from Journe’s LineSport collection. 

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Putting the Centigraphe’s dual patent-holding chronograph movement into the Linesport case is a match made in heaven. The movement was created with the goal of making the ideal timepiece for modern automobile racing. It’s capable of timing down to 100ths of a second—while also measuring increments of 20 seconds and 10 minutes—and makes other Chronographs wonder if they’re better suited for timing steaks than they are race cars. The speed with which the hands move when the chronograph is activated is mind-boggling to see, especially knowing it’s powered mechanically.

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The manual winding caliber 1506 in this watch is made of a high-grade aluminum alloy rather than Journe’s standard rose gold, which significantly reduces the timepiece’s weight. Manually wound the movement has an 80-hour power reserve when just telling time and a 24-hour power reserve while the chronograph is running. Special attention was also given to isolating the energy taxing chronograph from the timekeeping. Thus, when one is running the chronograph, the balance amplitude is unaffected, keeping the timekeeping accuracy intact—this is one of the two patents the watch holds. The movement alone is great, but the fact that it’s now in the LineSport collection brings things full circle. After all, a true motorsport timepiece needs to do more than look good while popping champagne.

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The dark titanium case looks super sporty and is exceptionally durable and lightweight—about 81 grams. Measuring at 44mm in diameter, it’s certainly on the larger side, but you wouldn’t want it much smaller with this amount of information on a dial. Also, being that the watch is so lightweight and only 11mm thin, you still retain Journe’s famous wearability.

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New for this watch model since it was updated in 2018 is the ceramic bezel. I think it looks great on this watch, and I honestly didn’t notice it at first. It fits in like it was always a part of the design. The rubber bumpers that flank the case and bracelet will always be a divisive design choice. Still, I like the added protection they offer and the fact that it’s a very rarely seen design trait, especially at this level of watchmaking. 

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The dial of the CTS2 is the most fun and exciting design feature of the watch. The main dial is a vibrant yellow lacquer, and it’s super legible with its alternately sized white numerals. I’ve seen Journe use this type of numeral layout on other pieces where the sizes vary based on the dial’s design, and it’s always done really well. I almost never pick up on it right away. Only after studying the watch do I recognize that the numbers aren’t uniform. The subdials are done in white with red numerals and center cutouts that allow you a sneak peek at the fast-moving components powering this speed demon. The contrast of the bright, bold dial colors against the reserved dark titanium case and bracelet keeps the watch balanced. 

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This is a full-on sport watch, but I think it’s actually pretty versatile. It looks like it would be right at home peeking out from under the cuff of a racing suit, but I’d also rock it with a business casual blazer and jeans. This timepiece has the right formula to be a great sports watch in that its purpose-built to be functionally useful and dependable in a racing environment while being designed in a way that it’s still a great watch outside of that environment. Most of us won’t have the opportunity to time F1 laps, but at least with this watch, you’ll know you’re prepared to if the opportunity arises, and sometimes that’s enough. 

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