It is our honour to offer this unique and historically important F. P. Journe platinum Chronomètre Souverain wristwatch gifted to and owned by George Daniels, universally considered the greatest master watchmaker of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The timepiece was a gift and tribute from Francois-Paul Journe to Daniels in recognition of their lasting close friendship, and personalized with the movement engraved, “FP to George Daniels my mentor 2010”. Included with the watch is a signed letter from Journe, written in French, translated here:
Dear George,
It is in 1969, when the mechanical watch industry was dethroned by the arrival of quartz
watches, that you started to build your first watch. You were the precursor, the first watchmaker to show the path of the manufacturing of the art horology and non-utilitarian. The continuation proved you were right, the Swiss watch-making rose from the ashes to build watches of art and splendor, and the landscape repopulated in two decades. When I saw the watch you made for Sam, without knowing it the path of my life was drawn and I decided, in 1977, to make a watch for myself. Thanks to your publications as The Art of Breguet or Watchmaking, I have patiently learned on my workbench to make my first watch, you know the rest.
Then today, on this June 24th, 2010, I am extremely proud to thank you by offering you the
Chronomètre Souverain N° 707-CS especially signed for you. This watch is built according to the principles shown by our masters: a simple construction, two barrels in parallel to provide a stable power, an escapement beating at 21 600 which is the lowest for a wristwatch, a large-size balance with inertia regulation. I do not need to explain, you will see by yourself!
The movement of this watch is in 18 K rose gold and its case is in platinum.
With my sincere friendship,
François-Paul
Both Daniels and Journe had an appreciation and understanding of the 18th century master Abraham-Louis Breguet, and his work is reflected in both of their timepieces. They sought to innovate and improve precision timekeeping with exceptional timepieces, that like Breguet’s timepieces, stand the test of time.
George Daniels (1926-2011) became one of the most prominent names in watchmaking, and it was an encounter with a pocket watch at the age of five, which would not only change his life but impact watchmaking as we know it today. The movement of that watch opened his mind to unfathomable possibilities in the world of horology.
Shortly after WWII, Daniels established his own workshop repairing watches, and in 1968 he created his first timepiece; a gold and silver cased 1-minute pivoted detent chronometer tourbillon with retrograde hour indication. The elegant form, simplicity, equilibrium, and legibility of the dial became distinctive characteristics of Daniels oeuvre. For the master horologist, a watch had to be historic, intellectual, technical, amusing and have useful qualities – a mantra he applied to all his creations.
Daniels held Breguet in high esteem, citing him as his single greatest influence. Over time he became a renowned expert on Breguet’s work, and Daniels’ studies led to his Co-axial escapement, one of the most profound improvements in mechanical watchmaking. So revolutionary was this escapement, Omega began fitting their high-grade wristwatches with the co‐axial escapement in 1999, and today it is now used in virtually all of the brand’s mechanical models.
F. P. Journe is a creative genius, who seeks to combine traditional 18th-century horology with 21st century innovation. He has established himself as one of the greatest watchmakers of the modern era, and his timepieces today are highly sought after by passionate collectors for their hand craftsmanship and technical prowess. Journe watches have a wearable, classic design, imbued with his own distinct vision of horology. “Invenit et Facet” as stated on the present watch’s dial, he himself invents and designs his watches looking to master watchmakers like Abraham-Louis Breguet, and George Daniels for inspiration. Since his first timepieces became commercially available in the late 1990s, Journe has skillfully evolved his models and brand, consistently introducing prestigious, complicated wristwatches that are each a fine masterpiece.
Journe’s Chronomètre Souverain is amongst his most recognizable, and was his first timepiece with a central time display. Released in several variations, the principle objective of these timepieces, as the name implies, is chronometric precision. Even though its design is a tribute to traditional chronometers, it has been implemented in a subtly contemporary manner with its vibrant guilloché dial and power reserve and seconds indications placed in an original manner at 3 o’clock and 7/8 o’clock respectively. Contemporary, elegant, and classic, this unique Chronomètre Souverain is the perfect match between the genius of its creator and his predecessors. The timeless design, and flawless chronometric movement is a display of Journe’s craftsmanship, as well as an homage to George Daniels and Abraham-Louis Breguet. The beauty of this wristwatch is not only displayed on the dial side, but also when turned over one is amazed by its superbly hand finished movement made from 18K pink gold.
First appearing at auction in 2012 when items from George Daniels collection were sold following his passing, the present lot is in nearly unworn condition. Its unique story, personalized movement for George Daniels, completeness, and outstanding state of preservation make this a treasure for the connoisseur.
