Alexis Fruhauff won, reinterpreting the heritage of 18th century French clockmaker Antide Janvier.

The F.P. Journe Young Talent Competition marks its 10th anniversary this year. This is one the most famous prizes in support of young watchmaking talent. It was established in 2010 by a watchmaker whose own timepiece set a new record for independent watchmakers at the end of last year: Phillips sold F.P. Journe's Tourbillon à Remontoir d’Egalité “15/93” for CHF 7.32 million.

A high score from the biggest star on the modern watchmaking scene is an annual game changer for students learning the basic tools of the trade. The young watchmaker's first recognition is accompanied by a grant of 50,000 Swiss francs from the competition's partner,  Singapore-based retailer the Hour Glass.

The status of the prize is cemented by big names on the jury. This year's jury members were Philippe Dufour, Andreas Strehler, Giulio Papi, Marc Jenni, Michael Tay, Elizabeth Doerr, and François-Paul Journe, who selected the Pendule à Seconde by the young Paris-based watchmaker Alexis Fruhauff. 

The graduate of the Parisian Lycée Diderot submitted a project conceived during his studies which reinterpreted the heritage of 18th century French clockmaker Antide Janvier.

Janvier is believed to have created over 600 timepieces, but only 10 % of his creations are known today. Even this small percentage is enough for historians specializing in watchmaking to recognize the contribution Janvier has made to complicated functions, yet the complexity of his creations didn't impact their sober outer appearance.

Alexis Fruhauff is following in Janvier's footsteps. Fruhauff made the cherrywood case for his watch with the help of cabinetmaker Lorcan Ménard, although the young watchmaker initially explored the option of a gilded bronze case.

The clock's movement was developed from scratch, and Fruhauff even had to create tools to make it. The Pendule à Seconde is where traditions meet modern technologies. Fruhauff says that he used a Schaublin 102 hand-filing and turning lathe, an Aciera f3 mill, and a Hauser 2BA jig borer to create components. 

The movement suspended on a bracket is equipped with pivoted detent escapement with lost beat and an adjustable pendulum, inspired by the work of another French watchmaker, Paul Garnier.