Today, I’d like to talk about an independent watchmaker who has been behind many complicated movement developments for various watch brands. You may have guessed—it’s Frédéric Jouvenot. Before diving into one of his standout models, let’s take a closer look at his journey to better understand his world.
Born in Switzerland in 1977, Frédéric Jouvenot developed a passion early on for watchmaking and movement mechanics. After earning a first diploma in Micromechanics and Manufacturing Engineering, he went on to study microtechnical design and completed a year of commercial training. Frédéric Jouvenot didn’t originally plan a career in watchmaking. His production of a tomographic scanner for the prestigious Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM) opened the doors to the exclusive world of haute horlogerie. He joined the Minerva manufacture, where he developed an in-house caliber, several complications, and a mysterious tourbillon without hands at the age of 27. With this experience under his belt, he left the company in 2005 and co-founded Concepto in 2006, a movement development firm for grand complications based in La Chaux-de-Fonds. He remained there until 2010. In parallel, he founded his own watch creation company for brands—FJ Design Sàrl—and launched his eponymous watch brand with a focus on innovation. To do this, he developed his own calibers and filed several patents.
The philosophy Frédéric Jouvenot aims to express through his creations is to connect traditional watchmaking with contemporary horology. For his designs, he draws inspiration from beauty—architectural forms admired during his travels, artworks in museums, and more. But above all, he likes to question and reinvent haute horlogerie mechanisms. Pushing the boundaries of horological expertise by creating unprecedented timepieces is the mission of his company. His watches are made in limited editions and their components are entirely Swiss-made. He launched his brand with a first model based on a Venus 175 movement that he transformed into an automatic caliber. His ACE (Automatic Chronograph Evolution) model became the first chronograph in history to feature a dial-side winding system, offering an unobstructed view of the movement through the caseback. Among his other iconic creations are the Helios mechanical sundial watch and its variants, as well as the Surya line for women, with geometric designs and gem-set finishes.
His career has earned him several awards, including the unanimous “Superwatch Award” given to his Helios watch by the Geneva Time Exhibition jury in 2011. Three years later, in 2014, his Surya model—the first watch to display the time using 12 flower petals alternating between daytime and nighttime colors—was shortlisted in the “Ladies’ High-Mechanics” category at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG). With extremely limited series, bold designs, and subtly reimagined complications, his brand stands for tradition, exclusivity, and above all, authentic creative horology.
In the same spirit, Frédéric Jouvenot introduced the Sîn watch in 2015, inspired by ancient Mesopotamia and its moon god. In terms of complexity and unorthodox time display, this watch is on par with the brand’s other extraordinary creations. This model features a captivating choreography of miniature sun and moon representations integrated directly into the case. This limited edition redefines our perception of time, merging sophisticated mechanical engineering with an aesthetic inspired by the celestial world. Now, let’s examine the reinterpretation of this model with a new blue dial version.
Table of Contents – Frédéric Jouvenot Sîn
What are the features of the Frédéric Jouvenot Sîn?
Case
The Frédéric Jouvenot Sîn features a Grade 5 Titanium case with a bold and futuristic architecture. Its robust look has been refined to provide a higher-end and more polished finish. With imposing dimensions, this 44 mm diameter and 13 mm thick case is water-resistant to 50 meters and clearly suited to larger wrists. Topping it off, a custom-designed sapphire crystal perfectly hugs the case shape, enhancing its modern architecture and fully showcasing the dynamic dial display. This sapphire glass also acts as a bezel, mounted directly onto the case using a series of pins.
Dial
The Frédéric Jouvenot Sîn sports a unique and revolutionary dial that captures the 24-hour cycle through a dynamic and three-dimensional display of the moon and sun. The off-center hour hand orbits around stylized planetary motifs, while a small 3D sphere bearing the brand’s logo, representing the minutes, is positioned at the center of the dial, offering a striking visual contrast.
Frédéric Jouvenot lets the sun and moon celebrate daytime on a futuristic dial that appears to the observer as a striking trompe-l’œil. The dial also displays day/night indication: the movement of the sun and moon is visualized by their 3D models as they “chase” each other across the upper half of the dial. As day turns to night and vice versa, the sun or moon disappears into a cleverly built tunnel at 3 o’clock, remaining hidden for twelve hours before emerging again at 9 o’clock. The moon appears at sunset and is gradually overtaken by the hour hand, which seems to orbit the star-shaped minute display at the center of the dial. The whole display is strangely simple, yet visually captivating.
Movement
The Frédéric Jouvenot Sîn houses an internally developed manual-winding automatic movement that may seem visually simple, but is anything but. Beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour, this 18-jewel movement provides a power reserve of 50 hours. Moreover, the movement is intricately decorated. Elements such as the bridges feature architectural engravings and structured lines, highlighting Frédéric Jouvenot’s commitment to the art of mechanical watchmaking.
Strap
The Frédéric Jouvenot Sîn comes with a blue alligator leather strap paired with a titanium deployant clasp. The strap’s attachment system is particularly appealing—it perfectly aligns with the case, matching the curvature of the skeletonized lugs.
What is the price of the Frédéric Jouvenot Sîn?
The Frédéric Jouvenot Sîn is limited to 18 pieces. Priced at CHF 45,000 (excluding VAT), this model comes with a two-year international warranty and embodies a bold and avant-garde approach to horological design.
Frédéric Jouvenot Sîn: A New Vision of Cosmic Design
The Frédéric Jouvenot Sîn is inspired by the daily celestial dance of the sun and moon. To me, it is the convergence of cosmic beauty and mechanical mastery in a single timepiece. Deeply poetic, it reminds us that every second is a journey through time and space. Available in titanium or steel, this watch is designed for those seeking something expressive and truly original.
Personally, I only regret the size, which makes the watch less comfortable than it could be. I would describe it more as a watchmaker’s piece than a designer’s watch focused on wearability. This poetic display of time is visually intriguing but wasn’t conceived for everyday use in my opinion. All the brand’s timepieces are entirely developed and manufactured in Switzerland—movement, case, strap, and clasp. Note that only 25 to 30 watches are sold each year, adding genuine value to his craftsmanship. I can’t wait to see what’s next.
Many thanks to Frédéric Jouvenot for introducing me to his world and for letting me experience this remarkable piece that you can discover in Watchmakers United.
Frederic Jouvenot Sîn – Watch Specifications
- Brand: Frederic Jouvenot
- Model: Sîn
- Case Material: Grade 5 titanium
- Dial: Openworked
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Rotating Moon & Sun, Indicating the Passage of 24 hours with the Day and Night
- Movement: In-House, Manual-Winding, 28’800vph frequency (4Hz), 18 jewels
- Power Reserve: 50 Hours
- Water Resistance: 5 ATM
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Caseback: Sapphire
- Case Dimension: 44 mm (Diameter) × 13 mm (Thickness)
- Strap: Blue Alligator with Grade 5 titanium Folding Clasp
- Availability : Limited Edition of 18 pieces
- Retail Price: CHF 45,000 (excluding VAT)
Do you know this underrated figure in the watchmaking world? Were you familiar with the Sîn model? Share your feedback and thoughts in the comments section.
For more information about Frederic Jouvenot, click here.
