F.P. Journe - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVII Geneva Saturday, May 13, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: F.P. Journe
    Year: 2002
    Case No: 180-02T
    Model Name: Tourbillon Souverain
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 1498, 25 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Alligator F.P Journe strap
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold 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 28th July, 2006.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Tourbillon was Journe’s very first model made in series and has since then become one of his most coveted signature pieces. He completed his first tourbillon wristwatch, Tourbillon No. 1, in 1991, to little if any fanfare from the industry. He revisited his tourbillon wristwatch in 1999 to fund the launch of his own eponymous brand, taking after Breguet by offering a “Souscription” series: the client would pay a portion up front, without seeing the watch, and Journe would complete and deliver it at a later date. Non-content to create a horological masterpiece Journe set out to improve Breguet’s invention via the addition of a remontoir system - a constant force device used to provide an equal amount of energy disregarding the winding level of the mainspring, thus resulting in greater accuracy and amplitude. This was the very first time this system, invented by John Harrison for the H2 marine chronometer, was ever used in a wristwatch.

    The 1st generation 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
    4th Series (2001-2003) estimated run of 320 examples in platinum and pink gold, with smaller dial screws, such as the present example

    The present 4th Series example from 2002 is one of the rarer models made in pink gold with silver dial. Interestingly, Journe - never the one to go with the flow- produced more watches cased in platinum than pink gold making the present example one of the rarest models of the 1st generation Tourbillon Souverain and it is the very first in this combination to be sold at Phillips.

  • 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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Σ168

An extremely rare, attractive and important pink gold tourbillon wristwatch with remontoir d’egalité, brass movement and certificate of authenticity

2002
38mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF180,000 - 360,000 
€187,000-375,000
$206,000-411,000

Sold for CHF381,000

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the 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: XVII

Geneva Auction 13 - 14 May 2023