Manufacturer: F.P. Journe
Year: Circa 2017
Case No: 226-CT
Model Name: Centigraphe Souverain “Black Label”
Material: Platinum
Calibre: Manual, cal. 1506, 50 jewels
Bracelet/Strap: Leather
Clasp/Buckle: Platinum F. P. Journe deployant clasp
Dimensions: 42mm Diameter
Signed: Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.
Accessories: Accompanied by F. P. Journe Certificate of Origin dated 06 December 2017, fitted wooden presentation box, product literature with presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
When F. P. Journe released his first masterpiece, the Tourbillon Souverain in 1999, he established himself as a skilled watchmaker with a noble focus on timekeeping precision. Journe was inspired by horology’s traditional past, while offering watches with a 21st century sensibility. His journey to stardom began following graduation from the École d’Horlogierie de Paris in 1976, and his early work on conserving and preserving important 18th century pocket watches and clocks honed his craft. This early experience taught him to fabricate parts he was unable to find, using modern techniques on timepieces from the past. By the end of the 20th century, and following his career with Patek Philippe, he was ready to establish his own workshop, and while his first timepieces were pocket watches, his wristwatches today are horological works of art.

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 watch further elevated Mr. Journe’s creations into the formidable elite of haute horlogerie. With early examples of the model encased in a 40mm case, the 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 would surrender to. 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.

Featuring the signature F. P. Journe characteristics coveted by collectors, this Centigraphe Souverain in platinum with 18K pink gold movement is in excellent condition and accompanied by its guarantee and presentation box. It is a wonderful example for the connoisseur.
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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