F.P. Journe - The Geneva Watch Auction: XIX featuring the Guido Mondani Collection Geneva Saturday, May 11, 2024 | Phillips

The Geneva Watch Auction: XIX featuring the...

Geneva Auction 11 - 12 May 2024

  • Manufacturer: F.P. Journe
    Year: 2003
    Case No: 259-03T
    Model Name: Tourbillon Souverain
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 1498, 25 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather strap
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum F.P. Journe pin buckle
    Dimensions: 38mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by F. P. Journe Warranty card stamped by Milan retailer "Orologeria Pisa" and dated November 2003, instruction booklet, polishing cloth, fitted wooden presentation box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    In 1999, F.P. Journe made his debut as an independent watchmaker. Along with this, he unveiled his first Tourbillon Souverain, which included a remontoir mechanism that was a world first. In essence, the revolutionary remontoir system achieves a greater accuracy and amplitude through the usage of a constant force device, which provides a continuous and equal amount of energy regardless of the mainspring's winding level.

    Encased in a 38mm platinum case, the present Tourbillon Souverain from 2003 is part of the 4th generation F.P. Journe tourbillons (2001-2003) that were fitted with smaller dial screws and brass movements with a ‘Remontoir d’Egalité'. It is estimated that 320 examples were produced between platinum and pink gold.

    In 2004, Journe would go to further radicalize the way we see tourbillons with the addition of a deadbeat seconds, which became the Remontoir d’Egalité avec Seconde Morte. That year he also would go on to transition from brass movements to pink gold movements that we find in current production models.

    The distinctive yellow gold dial features an amazing texture, is clear in its layout and is overall extremely legible. Showcasing the hours and minutes on a secondary silver guilloché dial the one-second Remontoir d’Egalité system is placed geometrically in-line at six o’clock to showcase its equal importance to the time display. Visible via its aperture, it emphasizes its status as a complication as it provides a constant force to the escapement, acting as a transmission and balancing system for the transfer of power between the mainspring and the escapement. Finally, the two large apertures invite its wearer to peek into the fantastic movement within. Etched beneath the tourbillon are the brand's signature words ‘Invenit et Fecit’ (Latin for ‘Invented and Made'). Finally, a 42-hour power reserve indication is shown at 12 o'clock.

    The present 38mm Tourbillon Souverain with brass movement from 2003 is fresh to the market and offered by the original Italian owner who bought it in the hallowed Milan-based Fratelli Pisa store - one of the Italian meccas of watch collecting. Complete of its accessories and in hardly-ever used condition, it will without a doubt impress and delight the collector of early independent masterpieces.

  • 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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F.P. Journe

An early, impressive and highly collectible platinum chronometer wristwatch with tourbillon regulator and remontoir d'egalité, brass movement, warranty and presentation box

2003
38mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF180,000 - 360,000 
€184,000-368,000
$197,000-394,000

Sold for CHF381,000

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Europe, and Middle East

+41 79 637 17 24
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XIX featuring the Guido Mondani Collection

Geneva Auction 11 - 12 May 2024