931Σ︎
F.P. Journe
Tourbillon Souverain, 069/01T
An important, early and fresh-to-the-market platinum tourbillon wristwatch with power reserve indication, remontoir d'égalité, shiny yellow gold dial, brass movement, warranty and presentation box
Estimate
HK$3,900,000–11,600,000
€443,000–1,320,000
$500,000–1,490,000
Manufacturer
F.P. Journe
Year
Circa 2001
Case No
069/01T
Model Name
Tourbillon Souverain, 069/01T
Material
Platinum
Calibre
Manual, cal. 1498, 25 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Crocodile
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 Emassy Swiss dated November 2001 and fitted presentation box.
Full-Cataloguing
Good To Know:
- Very early 3rd series example from 2001
- Gorgeously preserved “shiny” yellow gold handmade dial with floating texts
- Offered with warranty card and original box
The present fresh-to-the-market F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain stands as one of the manufacture's most coveted and elusive creations, featuring an ultra-desirable shiny yellow gold dial paired with a noble platinum case.
Fascinated by the tourbillon, François-Paul Journe set out not only to transpose Abraham-Louis Breguet’s historic invention into a wristwatch, but also to enhance it by integrating a remontoir d’égalité. This constant-force device delivers a consistent delivery of energy to the escapement regardless of the mainspring's state of wind, resulting in superior chronometric accuracy. It marked the first time these two complications had ever been combined in a wrist-worn timepiece.
Journe completed his first prototype in 1991 to little initial fanfare from the broader industry. He revisited the design in 1999 to fund the launch of his eponymous brand, creating an initial Souscription series of 20 tourbillon wristwatches—each individually numbered on the dial and offered to his closest friends and early patrons.
The early Tourbillon Souverain models with brass movements, like the present example, can be split into four series:
1st Series - Souscription (1999) 20 numbered examples in platinum
2nd Series (1999) estimated run of 17 examples in platinum with rounded remontoir bridge and addition of “Remontoir d’Egalité” on the dial
3rd Series (1999-2001) estimated run of 60 examples in platinum and pink gold, with flat remontoir bridge and larger power reserve numerals. (present example)
4th Series (2001-2003) estimated run of 320 examples in platinum and pink gold, with smaller dial screws.
An exceptional specimen beyond its mechanical ingenuity, this early and rare Tourbillon Souverain is numbered 069 and dates to 2001. An extremely small minority of these early production tourbillons were fitted with "shiny" yellow gold dials, which exhibit a highly reflective, lustrous finish. Prior to the emergence of the present watch, only eight hand-made yellow gold dials were known to the market, making this the nineth documented example (the eight known pieces being numbers 026/99T, 037/99T, 043/99T, 044/99T, 070/01T, 091/01T, 103/01T and 108/01T).
Finished with a clear lacquer coating, the printed text appears to float above the dial surface—a trait vividly displayed on this example, creating an almost three-dimensional depth. The dial has aged beautifully, exhibiting an even patina across the surface and a heavier hue near the right subdial, along with subtle hand-finishing striations. These early dials display a brilliant sheen and unique patination that collectors passionately pursue. Retaining its completely unrestored and original state, the dial transforms under different lighting conditions, shifting from a soft champagne hue to a warm, shimmering copper. Looking at the deeper engravings of the inscriptions on the caseback, it is one of the earliest examples to feature this instead of the shallower hand engravings seen on even earlier examples.
Fresh-to-the-market, having remained in an important private collection for over two decades, the watch is accompanied by its original warranty card and presentation box with the "069" inventory sticker still adhered. Preserved in remarkable condition, the present Tourbillon Souverain 069 is also the earliest 01T known to the market, represents a direct descendant of Journe’s earliest 1990s prototypes and stands as a true crown jewel for the serious independent horology collector.
- Very early 3rd series example from 2001
- Gorgeously preserved “shiny” yellow gold handmade dial with floating texts
- Offered with warranty card and original box
The present fresh-to-the-market F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain stands as one of the manufacture's most coveted and elusive creations, featuring an ultra-desirable shiny yellow gold dial paired with a noble platinum case.
Fascinated by the tourbillon, François-Paul Journe set out not only to transpose Abraham-Louis Breguet’s historic invention into a wristwatch, but also to enhance it by integrating a remontoir d’égalité. This constant-force device delivers a consistent delivery of energy to the escapement regardless of the mainspring's state of wind, resulting in superior chronometric accuracy. It marked the first time these two complications had ever been combined in a wrist-worn timepiece.
Journe completed his first prototype in 1991 to little initial fanfare from the broader industry. He revisited the design in 1999 to fund the launch of his eponymous brand, creating an initial Souscription series of 20 tourbillon wristwatches—each individually numbered on the dial and offered to his closest friends and early patrons.
The early Tourbillon Souverain models with brass movements, like the present example, can be split into four series:
1st Series - Souscription (1999) 20 numbered examples in platinum
2nd Series (1999) estimated run of 17 examples in platinum with rounded remontoir bridge and addition of “Remontoir d’Egalité” on the dial
3rd Series (1999-2001) estimated run of 60 examples in platinum and pink gold, with flat remontoir bridge and larger power reserve numerals. (present example)
4th Series (2001-2003) estimated run of 320 examples in platinum and pink gold, with smaller dial screws.
An exceptional specimen beyond its mechanical ingenuity, this early and rare Tourbillon Souverain is numbered 069 and dates to 2001. An extremely small minority of these early production tourbillons were fitted with "shiny" yellow gold dials, which exhibit a highly reflective, lustrous finish. Prior to the emergence of the present watch, only eight hand-made yellow gold dials were known to the market, making this the nineth documented example (the eight known pieces being numbers 026/99T, 037/99T, 043/99T, 044/99T, 070/01T, 091/01T, 103/01T and 108/01T).
Finished with a clear lacquer coating, the printed text appears to float above the dial surface—a trait vividly displayed on this example, creating an almost three-dimensional depth. The dial has aged beautifully, exhibiting an even patina across the surface and a heavier hue near the right subdial, along with subtle hand-finishing striations. These early dials display a brilliant sheen and unique patination that collectors passionately pursue. Retaining its completely unrestored and original state, the dial transforms under different lighting conditions, shifting from a soft champagne hue to a warm, shimmering copper. Looking at the deeper engravings of the inscriptions on the caseback, it is one of the earliest examples to feature this instead of the shallower hand engravings seen on even earlier examples.
Fresh-to-the-market, having remained in an important private collection for over two decades, the watch is accompanied by its original warranty card and presentation box with the "069" inventory sticker still adhered. Preserved in remarkable condition, the present Tourbillon Souverain 069 is also the earliest 01T known to the market, represents a direct descendant of Journe’s earliest 1990s prototypes and stands as a true crown jewel for the serious independent horology collector.
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.