F.P. Journe Élégante 40 mm Titalyt 12 Rows of Diamonds Ref. ELT Titanium Black Dial (2026)

Twelve rows of diamonds is as far as the setting goes on the Élégante case, and doing it over Titalyt rather than gold or platinum is the part nobody expects. Hardened titanium under stones is a combination no other house would attempt. The black sapphire center keeps the dial dark against all of it, which stops the watch from reading as decorative. It remains in the collection, which makes it the only set Élégante still being built.

The flat tortue case is 40 by 35 mm in Titalyt-treated titanium, with twelve rows of diamonds set around it. A black sapphire center sits inside the ring of screwed steel elements. Stones on a matte gray case is the strangest thing in the collection, and it still runs on a rubber strap. The hardened surface will outlast anything the stones can do to it, which is the practical argument.