Manufacturer: F.P. Journe Year: Circa 2003 Case No: No. 190-02T Model Name: Tourbillon Souverain Material: Platinum Calibre: Manual, cal. 1498, 25 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Platinum F.P. Journe pin buckle Dimensions: 38mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, and buckle strap Accessories: Accompanied by F.P. Journe guarantee card dated December 9th, 2003, instruction manual, F.P. Journe platinum deployant clasp, polishing cloth, fitted presentation box, and outer box.
Catalogue Essay
Fascinated by tourbillon watches, Francois-Paul 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 regardless of the winding level of the mainspring, resulting in greater accuracy. It was the first time that these innovations had been combined and integrated into a wristwatch.
The first prototype was completed in 1991 with little, if any fanfare from the industry. He revisited his tourbillon wristwatch in 1999 to fund the launch of his eponymous brand as a Souscription series for his first twenty tourbillon wristwatches, each individually numbered on the dial and offered to his close friends and clients.
The early Tourbillon Souverain models with brass movements, like the present example, can be split into four series: 1st Series - Souscription (1999) 20 numbered examples in platinum 2nd Series (1999) estimated run of 17 examples in platinum with rounded remontoir bridge and addition of “Remontoir d’Egalité” on the dial 3rd Series (1999-2001) estimated run of 60 examples in platinum and pink gold, with flat remontoir bridge and larger power reserve numerals. 4th Series (2001-2003) estimated run of 320 examples in platinum and pink gold, with smaller dial screws.
Fresh-to-market, consigned by the original owner and complete with all its original accessories, the present 4th Series Tourbillon Souverain in platinum with a lustrous white gold dial is numbered 190-02T, and was purchased in 2003 at the F.P. Journe boutique in Geneva.
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.
A fresh-to-market and exceptionally well-preserved “fourth series” tourbillon wristwatch with remontoir d’egalité, white gold dial, brass movement, guarantee card, and presentation box
Circa 2003 38mm Diameter Case, dial, movement, and buckle strap
