F.P. Journe - RETROSPECTIVE: 2000 - 2020 Geneva Sunday, November 8, 2020 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: F.P. Journe
    Year: 2007
    Case No: 328 TN
    Model Name: Tourbillon Souverain
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 1403, 26 jewel
    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 fitted box, guarantee, Black Label certificate, polishing cloth,product literature. service invoice dated 2019 and outer packaging.
    Provenance: Property of a Japanese collector
    Literature: F.P. Journe Invenit et Fecit by Jean-Pierre Grosz is dedicated to Francois-Paul Journe and his work.

  • Provenance

    Property of a Japanese collector

  • Catalogue Essay

    In 1999 Francois-Paul Journe launched his brand with the introduction of the Tourbillon Souverain featuring a world premiere remontoire system. In 2004 he decided to push his research one step further by creating a new generation tourbillon that not only maintained the remontoire (serving as a constant force device, resulted in greater accuracy and amplitude for the tourbillon-equipped escapement) but also adding a "seconde morte", or deadbeat seconds.

    The mesmerizing complication was first implemented in the mid-seventeenth century, but not used in wristwatches until the mid-twentieth century. The seconds hand of a dead beat seconds watch will completely stop as the escapement continues to beat, not moving until one second has elapsed - at which point it will advance to indicate the next second.

    This seems like a simple feature, but requires a complex and precise mechanism to reliably stop and restart the seconds hand so that it does not move at the same rate as the vibration of the balance wheel.
    It was also with this second generation tourbillon that Journe increased the case size of his watches from 38mm to 40mm and introduced his pink gold movements, as he wanted the movements that were the heart and the most important element of the watch to be made in precious metal.

    Part of the ultra rare and elusive Black Label collection, the present model was available to pre-existing Journe owners. Each F.P. Journe boutique receiving one Black Label watch per month and only one or two of each model.

    Since its discontinuation in 2019 the Tourbillon Souverain has become an avidly sought after piece.

  • 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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Σ235

A rare and mechanically complex platinum tourbillon wristwatch with constant force remontoire, power reserve and dead beat seconds with guarantee and presentation box

2007
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
CHF80,000 - 180,000 
€74,100-167,000
$87,200-196,000

Sold for CHF252,000

Contact Specialist

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

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

 

Thomas Perazzi

Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2031

WatchesHK@phillips.com

RETROSPECTIVE: 2000 - 2020

Geneva Auction 8 November 2020