F.P. Journe - The New York Watch Auction: XI New York Saturday, December 7, 2024 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: F.P. Journe
    Year: 2019
    Case No: Engraved with the name of the original owner
    Model Name: Grande Sonnerie Repetitions Minutes
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 1505, 40 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel F.P. Journe deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 42mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by Certificate of Authenticity dated June 5th, 2019 confirming the present watch was fitted with a ruthenium dial, additional stainless steel F.P. Journe pin buckle, stainless steel F.P. Journe bracelet, and movement components for servicing purposes.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Never before seen by the public, the present Grande and Petite Sonnerie wristwatch from F.P. Journe is a possibly unique creation fitted with a stunning ruthenium dial. Previous examples sold by Phillips have featured black dials, and while other dials are known, this is the first ruthenium dial to have surfaced.
    The Grande Sonnerie complication allows the timepiece to automatically chime the hour on every hour and hours and quarters on every quarter, while in petite sonnerie mode, the watch will only chime the passing of the quarters.

    In 2000, the year following the launch of Journe’s namesake brand, and drawing inspiration from the achievements of his contemporary Philippe Dufour, Journe decided to attempt his own Grande and Petite Sonnerie wristwatch.

    Journe would aim to create a Grande and Petite Sonnerie wristwatch that would be the first to be impervious to user error. Finally, in 2006, after 10 patents, Journe exhibited the Grande and Petite Sonnerie wristwatch to clients. Almost exclusively fitted with a white gold dial, standard production examples were also cased in a 42mm stainless steel case and engraved with the name of the original owner in lieu of a case number.

    According to scholarship, fewer than 60 pieces were made between 2006 and 2018 (though pieces, such as the present watch, were delivered as late as 2021 due to production delays caused by the pandemic), averaging out to 4 pieces a year. Only two watchmakers had the skills to assemble the Grande and Petite Sonnerie wristwatch, and each timepiece took three months for the watchmakers to finish, as only one watchmaker works on the watch.

    In signature F.P. Journe style, time is indicated on offset dials on the right, while the repeating gongs can be seen via an aperture to the left. The power reserve is indicated at 12 o’clock. The sonnerie selection is made via the pusher at 4 o’clock and displayed on the lower portion of the dial: G (Grande sonnerie), S (silence), P (Petite sonnerie). The pusher located at 2 o’clock activates the minute repeater.

    To prevent irreversible damages caused by incorrect usage or setting, the ingenious engineering of this wristwatch restricts time-setting when the gongs are in play by locking the crown, as well as pausing the chiming when the crown is not screwed in properly. Similarly, a system is designed to prohibit the sonnerie from striking in the last 24 hours of power reserve, as the going train and chiming train operate from a single barrel.

    This extremely rare and awe-inspiring wristwatch is sure to be the crown jewel of any collection of independent watches and complications. The Grande and Petite Sonnerie wristwatch from Journe established him as an absolute master of his craft, and opportunities to own such a limited production timepiece are far and few between. Topped with the icing of a so-far unique dial in ruthenium, and accompanied by its original sumptuous stainless steel bracelet, this is a chance not to miss.

  • 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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Σ167

A possibly unique, impressive, and highly important minute repeating grande and petite sonnerie stainless steel wristwatch with power reserve indication, ruthenium dial, steel bracelet, and certificate

2019
42mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed.

Estimate
$800,000 - 1,600,000 
CHF704,000-1,410,000
€750,000-1,500,000
HK$6,220,000-12,440,000

Sold for $1,754,000

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Americas
+1 (212) 940-1293
watchesny@phillips.com

Isabella Proia
Head of Sale, New York
+1 (212) 940 1285
iproia@phillips.com

The New York Watch Auction: XI

New York Auction 7 - 8 December 2024