F.P. Journe - The Geneva Watch Auction: XV Geneva Saturday, May 7, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: F.P. Journe
    Year: 2001
    Case No: 158/01T
    Model Name: Tourbillon Souverain
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 1498, 25 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Alligator
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum F.P. Journe buckle
    Dimensions: 38mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by F.P. Journe Certificate of Authenticity and presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    In just over 20 years, Francois-Paul Journe has gone from being a budding artisanal watchmaker known by a handful of cognoscenti, to a name who shares the spotlight with auction behemoths such as Patek Philippe and Rolex, all while maintaining the artisanal and pure watchmaking genetic codes of his first years.

    Fascinated by tourbillon watches, Journe decided to transpose Abraham-Louis Breguet’s invention into a wristwatch but also to improve it with the addition of a remontoire system - a constant force device used to provide an equal amount of energy disregarding the winding level of the mainspring, thus resulting in greater accuracy and amplitude. The first prototype was completed in 1991 with little, if any fanfare from the industry. He revisited his tourbillon wristwatch in 1999 in order to fund the launch of his eponymous brand and used a subscription system for his first twenty tourbillon wristwatches, each individually numbered on the dial. These were offered to his close friends and clients.

    The present Tourbillon à Remontoire d’Egalité is one of the earlier production pieces dating from 2001. The majority of Journe’s Tourbillon models were made with yellow gold dials and the present example is one of the very rare examples made with a white gold dial giving the watch a superbly stealth monochrome look.

  • 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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Σ186

An early and attractive platinum tourbillon wristwatch with white gold dial, guarantee and presentation box

2001
38mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF200,000 - 400,000 
€196,000-393,000
$212,000-425,000

Sold for CHF428,400

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