F.P. Journe - The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN Geneva Saturday, May 12, 2018 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: F.P. Journe
    Year: 2015
    Case No: No. 7/38
    Model Name: Chronomètre Souverain
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 1304, 22 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Alligator
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum F. P. Journe pin buckle
    Dimensions: 38mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present watch represents a very rare opportunity to own a limited edition F. P. Journe, which was originally sold as part of a collection of five stainless steel timepieces. Released in 2015, the limited edition of 38 complete sets commemorated the end of the manufacturer’s 38mm diameter case production. When F. P. Journe presented his first wristwatches in 1999, the 38mm case was considered oversized during an era when most brands produced smaller timepieces with 34mm to 36mm sized cases. Today, as tastes have changed, cases measuring 40mm to 42mm in diameter have become the new norm.

    Each limited edition set was comprised of five timepieces including: Tourbillon Souverain, Chronomètre à Résonance, Octa Automatique, Octa Calendrier Automatique and like the present example the Chronomètre Souverain. All of these models, with the exception of the Chronomètre Souverain, were discontinued and each represented the only version of these models made in stainless steel. Additionally, the pieces featured a gold guilloché dial, patinated in a bronze hue and pink gold movement.

    Among them, the Chronomètre Souverain was the most minimalistic, with an outer hour ring, off-set subsidiary seconds dial and 56-hour power reserve, which measured hours since last wound, opposed to the typical hours left on reserve. The prestigious, 18-karat rose gold movement borrowed a design element from marine chronometry using two mainspring barrels. In excellent unpolished condition, the present watch is elegant, contemporary, and exceptionally rare, appealing to collectors of independent modern horological artisans.

  • Artist Biography

    F.P. Journe

    Swiss • 1999

    Founded by watchmaker François-Paul Journe in 1999, the F.P. Journe brand is relatively young, but already is as highly regarded by collectors as many distinguished manufacturers with centuries-old heritage. In the minds of the world's savviest collectors, Journe is producing some of the finest wristwatches the market has ever seen. Mastering his craft from restoring historical timepieces, he was the first to create a wristwatch incorporating two escapements that benefit from the phenomenon of resonance — the Chronomètre à Résonance.

    Key models include the Résonance, tourbillon wristwatches incorporating a remontoir and the limited edition Vagabondage series. Especially sought-after are his earliest "souscription" watches, made in 1999.

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Σ134

A very rare limited edition stainless steel wristwatch with pink gold movement and power reserve

2015
38mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF15,000 - 25,000 
€12,900-21,400
$15,900-26,500

Sold for CHF32,500

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+41 22 317 81 81
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN

Geneva Auction 12-13 May 2018