F.P. Journe - The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN Geneva Saturday, May 12, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: F.P. Journe
    Year: 2007
    Case No: 414TN
    Model Name: Tourbillon Souverain
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 1403, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Alligator
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum F.P. Journe deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by fitted box, Certificate of Authenticity, instruction booklet and polishing cloth

  • Catalogue Essay

    Invenit et Fecit - invented and made - is the motto of F.P. Journe, as each F.P. Journe wristwatch is handcrafted to the highest standards, using top-grade finishing and materials, and above all, an original sense of creativity and innovation. In a New York Times article from 2016, François-Paul Journe states that he derives his inspiration from within, given his immense knowledge of the history of watchmaking. He states, "I create a piece because I want it, I dream it. I make it like it was a new child."

    The Tourbillon Souverain Remontoire d'Egalité avec Seconde Morte is Journe's most recent tourbillon wristwatch. In fact, the first F.P. Journe wristwatch was a tourbillon, executed in 1991 and known fittingly as "Tourbillon No. 1." When the Tourbillon Souverain was first released commercially in 1999, it was the first wristwatch to combine a remontoire and a tourbillon; the remontoire, serving as a constant force device, resulted in greater accuracy and amplitude for the tourbillon-equipped escapement. This successor model added to the remontoire a "seconde morte", or deadbeat seconds, a mesmerizing complication first implemented in the mid-seventeenth century, but not used in wristwatches until the mid-twentieth century. The seconds hand 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.

    In virtually untouched condition, and retaining its original accessories, this Tourbillon Souverain is fitted with a stunning white gold dial housed in a platinum case with the smaller dials indicating the hours, the minutes and the seconds rendered in silver guilloché. Inside the dial's tourbillon aperture, you can see the delicate perlage on the solid 18 karat rose gold movement - a luxurious feature of many of Journe's most sought after timepieces. Perfectly balanced at 40mm, this is a contemporary horological masterpiece deriving its beauty and accuracy from the best elements of the past and the present.

  • 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.

    View More Works

Σ137

A very fine and rare platinum tourbillon wristwatch with constant force remontoir, power reserve and dead beat seconds

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

Estimate
CHF60,000 - 90,000 
€51,400-77,200
$63,500-95,300

Sold for CHF87,500

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+41 22 317 81 81
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN

Geneva Auction 12-13 May 2018