F.P. Journe - The Geneva Watch Auction: XV Geneva Saturday, May 7, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: F.P. Journe
    Year: 2019
    Reference No: ELHT
    Case No: A-484
    Model Name: Élégante
    Material: Titalyt
    Calibre: Electro mechanical, cal. 1210, 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Rubber
    Clasp/Buckle: Titalyt
    Dimensions: 48mm length
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by F. P. Journe guarantee dated July 22, 2019, card holder, USB, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    F. P. Journe is extremely well known for its distinguished superior craftsmanship and technical innovation since its very inception. With the release of the Elegante collection in 2014, F.P. Journe has pushed forward a 21st century quartz movement, which had been in development for eight years.

    A true revolutionary horological concept, the timepiece had initially been conceived exclusively for ladies. As François-Paul Journe said himself: "I created this watch because for 20 years, women have been asking me to design a watch for them; a watch that was different and comfortable to wear, and that suited their needs and desires. I therefore created this long-lasting watch especially for them." The tortue-shaped design is reminiscent of early twentieth-century timepieces, yet the quartz mechanism inside is a technical marvel. Equipped with an electro-mechanical caliber with motion detection , the watch "hibernates" after 35 minutes of inactivity to save battery life by stopping the hands from moving. When the watch is moved again, a small motion detector at 4 o'clock "awakens" it, allowing the hands to be readjusted to the correct time.

    The dial is translucent white with black Arabic numbers and a chemin de fer outer ring, and it is created with Super-LumiNova. The line is still available today, with ladies' and men's watches ranging in size from 40mm to 48mm, and available in titanium or Titalyt, as well as embellished with diamonds and precious stones.

    The present Élégante sized at 48mm Titalyt case is paired with an orange rubber strap giving the watch a very sporty yet elegant and sophisticated look. Offered in excellent overall condition and accompanied with its accessories, the Élégante is certainly one of the most sought after independent timepiece with its superb technical innovation and classical tortue case.

  • 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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Ref. ELHT
A fine and elegant electro-mechanical titalyt tortue-shaped wristwatch with small seconds, guarantee and presentation box

2019
48mm length
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
CHF15,000 - 30,000 
€14,700-29,500
$15,900-31,900

Sold for CHF56,700

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

+41 22 317 81 81
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 22 317 96 63
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XV

Geneva Auction 7 - 8 May 2022