F.P. Journe - The Geneva Watch Auction: XV Geneva Saturday, May 7, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: F.P. Journe
    Year: 2017
    Case No: 463-CT
    Model Name: Centigraphe Souverain Black Label
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 1506, 50 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Alligator
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum F. P. Journe deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by F. P. Journe Black Label Certificat de Garantie, fitted presentation box and outer packaging

  • Catalogue Essay

    Produced between 2008 and 2018 the Centigraphe Souverain is an incredibly innovative take on the chronograph complication.

    This ingenious timepiece indicates elapsed times from a 100th of a second to 10 minutes via the three subdials, each with a time scale in red and a tachometer scale in black.

    Powered by the firm’s in-house cal. 1506 composed of 18K pink gold, the highly sophisticated movement enables the dial to feature an unconventional chronograph with 100th of a second register, 20-second register and a 10-minute register.

    The 100th of a second hand placed in the subdial at 11 o’clock revolves around the dial in one second on a scale marked in 100th of a second. Theoretically it is thus possible to tine an object moving at 36,000 KM/H.

    The hand on the subdial at 2 o’clock revolves once every 20 seconds and the hand on the subdial at 6 is graduated for 10 minutes.
    Furthermore, another creative approach is implemented to replace the traditional chronograph pushers by a rocker at 2 o’clock that starts, stops and resets the registers that are all activated and stopped at the same time.
    To achieve such a feature without interrupting the timekeeping system, a mechanism within isolates the chronograph from its timekeeping system, meaning that the amplitude would not be affected when the chronograph is activated.

    The present example of a Centigraphe Souverain Black Label is further enhanced by its rarity. Only available at F.P. Journe boutiques - which received only 2 pieces per year, as indicated on the warranty - to pre-existing F. P. Journe clients, the Black Label collection of watches are only encased in platinum with a black lacquer dial.

    Its excellent overall condition with the full set of accessories - and believed to have only been worn a handful of times - certainly elevates the level of attraction of this specific example.

  • 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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An extremely limited platinum chronograph wristwatch with 100th of a second indication, Guarantee and box

2017
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
CHF80,000 - 120,000 
€78,600-118,000
$85,000-127,000

Sold for CHF352,800

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