F.P. Journe Disciple Debuts Ataelier Haute Complications' First Watch -- The Dual Time

There’s good news for those that have missed the Journe boat, his disciple — Vladimir Victor Négault — has officially previewed his first offering after establishing Ataelier Haute Complication back in 2018.

Meeting François-Paul Journe as early as 1994, the low-profile Vladimir Victor Négault — working as an architect and 3D modeler at the time — was first commissioned to make a 3D cast for Journe where he eventually went on to create 2D and 3D animations for the watchmaker in 2004. Part of F.P. Journe’s R&D team, where he would work on improving movements, Négault would eventually work up the experience and know-how to establish AHC.

While not much is known about Négault, as working on watches behind the bench is his forte rather than social media, it has been announced that he has set out to create five new complications with the newly-revealed Dual Time being the first. The watch sees a first-ever way for displaying two timezones with the home time viewed as a day/night track covering the top-perimeter of the dial while an off-set dial (complete with screws) tells the local time with large 3/6/9/12 hour markers.

The Dual Time is powered by an in-house movement made from 187 parts. It is hand-wound and has a power reserve of 45 hours. This introduction to Vladimir Victor Négault’s world will launch first with 19 Souscription models followed by a limited run of 99 pieces — each priced at an agreeable CHF 8,000 (approximately $8,030 USD). Those further interested in how the watch works can preview it in the video below.

In other watch news, The Armoury allocates Naoya Hida & Co “Lettercutter” limited edition by lottery.