Manufacturer: F.P. Journe Year: 2008 Case No: 005-CT Model Name: Centigraphe Souverain Material: Platinum Calibre: Manual, cal. 1506, 50 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Platinum F.P. Journe pin buckle Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed. Accessories: Accompanied by F.P. Journe certificate of authenticity card dated December 11th 2008, original invoice dated December 11th 2008, polishing cloth, fitted presentation box, and outer box.
Catalogue Essay
The Centigraphe Souverain was first introduced in 2007, and immediately made a statement in the industry. Packed with technical brilliance and ingenuity, the introduction of the model further elevated Mr. Journe’s creations into the formidable elite of haute horlogerie. With early examples encased in a 40mm case, such as the present lot, an updated version featured a slightly larger 42mm case.
Powered by the in-house cal. 1506 composed of 18K gold bridges and plates, the complex movement enables the dial to display an unconventional chronograph with 100th of a second register, 20 seconds register and a 10 minute register. The pusher activates and deactivates the chronograph, with the three registers activated at the same time. Instantaneously bringing one’s attention to the dial, the 100th of a second register is perhaps the point of fascination that most will be mesmerized by. With the chronographic hand moving at such high speed, another interesting note is that the movement architecture features a mechanism within that isolates the chronograph from its time keeping system, meaning that the amplitude would not be affected when the chronograph is activated.
The stealthy combination of platinum case and white gold dial gets an added touch of excitement with red accents within the subsidiary registers. Consigned by the original owner, the present Centigraphe, numbered 005, is the fifth example ever made, and preserved in like new condition with all of its original accessories.
All proceeds from the hammer price result will be donated by the consignor to UNICEF.
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.
Numbered 005; An early, attractive, and technically impressive platinum chronograph wristwatch with 100th of a second, 20-seconds, and 10-minute registers, with guarantee and presentation box, sold to benefit charity
2008 40mm Diameter Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.
