Manufacturer: F.P. Journe
Year: 2001
Case No: 84/99-01T
Model Name: Tourbillon Souverain “Ruthenium”
Material: Platinum
Calibre: Manual, cal. 1498, 25 jewels
Bracelet/Strap: Leather
Clasp/Buckle: Platinum F.P.Journe pin buckle
Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
Accessories: Accompanied by FP Journe fitted box, Certificate, F.P. Journe platinum deployant clasp, loupe, polishing cloth and outer packaging
Catalogue Essay
The present Tourbillon Souverain à Remontoire d’Egalité is fresh to the market, from the original owner and number 84 of a limited edition of 99 pieces . One of five watches part of the F.P. Journe “Ruthenium Collection”

In 2001, two years after having launched his Tourbillon Souverain à Remontoire d’Egalité Journe launched an example in a 40mm case (whereas his production was in 38mm) and with a dial and movement coated in ruthenium. The “Ruthenium Collection” was born.

Made between 2001 and 2005 the watches in the Ruthenium collection bookend the brass movement production and the move to 18K pink gold movements now in use throughout Journe’s watches. The Ruthenium Collection comprises five models: the Octa Jour/Nuit (Night/Day), the Octa Calendrier, the Octa Chronographe, the Chronomètre à Résonance, and the Tourbillon Souverain (the present watch).

Each model was released in only 99 examples and are some of the most highly coveted, early Journe timepieces. Stylistically, the Ruthenium collection, with their larger 40 mm case diameter, close the door on the early brass movement pieces, and ushered in the more modern iterations that have drawn admirers of Journe’s craft year after year. This Ruthenium Tourbillon Souverain is powered by the brass movement caliber 1498, but it is coated in light-absorbing ruthenium. Similarly, the white gold dial is specially coated with the same ruthenium, yet the remarkable sheen and luster found in Journe’s earliest dials is preserved.

Fascinated by tourbillon watches, Francois-Paul Journe decided to transpose Abraham-Louis Breguet’s invention into a wristwatch but also to improve it with the addition of a remontoire system - a constant force device used to provide an equal amount of energy regardless of the winding level of the mainspring, resulting in greater accuracy. It was the first time that these innovations had been combined and integrated into a wristwatch.

This is the first and only time the Tourbillon with Remontoire d’Egalité was made in a 40mm case.
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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