F.P. Journe - The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE Geneva Saturday, May 14, 2016 | Phillips

The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE

Geneva Auction 15 May 2016

  • Manufacturer: F.P. Journe
    Year: 1999
    Case No: N°19/20
    Model Name: Tourbillon Souverain
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 1498, 25 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum F.P. Journe buckle
    Dimensions: 38mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Certificate of Origin signed by Mr. François-Paul Journe confirming year of production of the present watch in 1999 and original presentation box

  • Catalogue Essay

    F.P .Journe - a name that can make the hearts of the world’s most seasoned collectors beat faster. One of the most talented and exciting watchmakers of his generation might have been a butcher if his cousin was not head of the watch-making school of Marseilles, as he likes to joke. The truth is, after having been expelled from school, his parents placed him in the watchmaking program headed by his cousin. Taking consideration of his aptitudes, he continued his studies in Paris (graduating in 1976) and worked for a few years with his uncle, a renowned restorer of antique watches in Paris where he got the opportunity to restore some of the most important timepieces of horological history. In 1985 he set up his own workshops creating bespoke pocket watches for top collectors.

    His first wristwatch was in fact a tourbillon with a remontoire inspired by one of his early pocketwatches. However, it was only in 1999, to help him launch his brand, that he decided to create 20 tourbillon wristwatches with remontoire - a constant force device used to provide an equal amount of energy, thus resulting in greater accuracy and amplitude. Using a souscription system similar to that used by Breguet, he offered the watch to his closest friends to finance his project.

    These 20 original watches are extremely sought after as they are the foundation the F.P. Journe brand was built upon. To the best of our knowledge this is the third souscription Tourbillon Souverain example to appear on the auction market. The last one having been sold by Phillips for 269,000 CHF on November 7, 2015 in Geneva following fiercely competitive bidding.

  • 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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Σ158

F.P. Journe

A very attractive, limited edition platinum tourbillon souscription wristwatch with remontoire, accompanied by Certificate of Origin and presentation box

1999
38mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF120,000 - 180,000 
€110,000-165,000
$124,000-186,000

Sold for CHF161,000

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE

Geneva Auction 15 May 2016