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F.P. Journe
Tourbillon Souverain
A near-mint, important and extremely rare platinum tourbillon wristwatch with remontoir d'égallte, white gold dial, brass movement and presentation box
Estimate
CHF400,000–800,000
€424,000–848,000
$490,000–979,000
Manufacturer
F.P. Journe
Year
2003
Case No
260-03T
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 signed
Accessories
Accompanied by F.P. Journe Certificate of Authenticity dated 23 October 2023 confirming production of the present timepiece in 2003, blank F.P. Journe warranty card, product literature, two extra F.P Journe alligator straps, and fitted presentation box.
Full-Cataloguing
Good to Know:
- Tourbillon with constant force mechanism
- 38mm case with brass movement
- The present watch with white gold dial from 2003 is part of the 4th generation of the Tourbillon Souverain
In 1999, F.P. Journe made his debut as an independent watchmaker. Alongside this, he unveiled his first Tourbillon Souverain, which included a remontoir mechanism that was a world first. The revolutionary remontoir system achieves greater accuracy and amplitude through a constant-force device, providing a continuous and equal amount of energy regardless of the mainspring's winding level.
Following the prototype and two fully handmade early models, Journe finally released his tourbillon wristwatch with a remontoir d'égalité in series in 1999, the Tourbillon Souverain “Souscription”, establishing the foundation of his brand.
The first generation of the Tourbillon Souverain came in a limited number of 20 pieces in the form of “Souscription”, only available for his close friends and a handful of esteemed clients, which funded the launch of his eponymous brand. The Tourbillon Souverain being his earliest series, fitted with a brass movement, could be categorized into four distinct generations as follows:
1st Generation - Souscription (1999): 20 examples in platinum
2nd Generation (1999): estimated run of 17 examples in platinum
3rd Generation (1999-2001): estimated run of 60 examples in platinum and pink gold
4th Generation (2001-2003): estimated run of 320 examples in platinum and pink gold (the present example)
The distinctive white gold dial features an exquisite texture, a clear layout, and overall excellent legibility. Hours and minutes are displayed on a secondary silver guilloché dial, while the one-second Remontoir d’Égalité system is positioned geometrically at six o’clock to highlight its equal importance to the time display. Visible through its aperture, it emphasizes its status as a complication, providing constant force to the escapement and acting as a transmission and balancing system for the transfer of power between the mainspring and the escapement. Etched beneath the tourbillon are the brand's signature words ‘Invenit et Fecit’ (Latin for ‘Invented and Made’).
- Tourbillon with constant force mechanism
- 38mm case with brass movement
- The present watch with white gold dial from 2003 is part of the 4th generation of the Tourbillon Souverain
In 1999, F.P. Journe made his debut as an independent watchmaker. Alongside this, he unveiled his first Tourbillon Souverain, which included a remontoir mechanism that was a world first. The revolutionary remontoir system achieves greater accuracy and amplitude through a constant-force device, providing a continuous and equal amount of energy regardless of the mainspring's winding level.
Following the prototype and two fully handmade early models, Journe finally released his tourbillon wristwatch with a remontoir d'égalité in series in 1999, the Tourbillon Souverain “Souscription”, establishing the foundation of his brand.
The first generation of the Tourbillon Souverain came in a limited number of 20 pieces in the form of “Souscription”, only available for his close friends and a handful of esteemed clients, which funded the launch of his eponymous brand. The Tourbillon Souverain being his earliest series, fitted with a brass movement, could be categorized into four distinct generations as follows:
1st Generation - Souscription (1999): 20 examples in platinum
2nd Generation (1999): estimated run of 17 examples in platinum
3rd Generation (1999-2001): estimated run of 60 examples in platinum and pink gold
4th Generation (2001-2003): estimated run of 320 examples in platinum and pink gold (the present example)
The distinctive white gold dial features an exquisite texture, a clear layout, and overall excellent legibility. Hours and minutes are displayed on a secondary silver guilloché dial, while the one-second Remontoir d’Égalité system is positioned geometrically at six o’clock to highlight its equal importance to the time display. Visible through its aperture, it emphasizes its status as a complication, providing constant force to the escapement and acting as a transmission and balancing system for the transfer of power between the mainspring and the escapement. Etched beneath the tourbillon are the brand's signature words ‘Invenit et Fecit’ (Latin for ‘Invented and Made’).
F.P. Journe
Swiss | 1999Founded 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.