F.P. Journe - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVII Hong Kong Friday, November 24, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: F.P. Journe
    Year: Circa 2010
    Case No: 550-TN
    Model Name: Tourbillon Souverain, “Chine 2010”
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 1403, 26 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 certificate stamped Montre Journe Hong Kong Limited dated 15th June 2010, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Revered as one of the most important independent master watchmakers of the 21st century, the creations from François-Paul Journe since 1991 were built from one man’s vision. A vision that does not budge to norms, a creation that cannot be identified in commonality with any brands but only F. P. Journe. The upbringing of Monsieur Journe and his claim to fame now needs no further introduction, in fact, his perseverance and innovations sets the blueprints and inspiration to the industry all over the world. From his early marvels such as the Souscription Tourbillon, Chronomètre à Résonance, Octa Collection, Centigraphe, to the more recent Sonnerie Souveraine, Astronomic Souveraine or the latest release of the ingenious FFC that puts collectors in awe, the success of F. P. Journe though ground-breaking, certainly was not achieved overnight.

    With his first timepiece showcasing as a member of the Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI) booth in Baselworld in 1991, collectors scratched their heads as they laid their eyes on his unfamiliar creation. Staying true to Journe’s beliefs and the independence to make choices that stands clear from the consideration of financial supports from shareholders, surely but slowly, the empire of the independent F. P. Journe brand started to make its mark globally. The first pocket of purists from Japan began to recognize Journe’s approach of haute horlogerie, and became one of the most important and dedicated supporters from the brand’s early days.

    In September of 2003, F. P Journe opened its first Salon of Montres Journe in the heart of Tokyo’s Omotesando district, equivalent of the Parisian St. Germain-des-Prés, the first boutique sits a stone’s throw away from the serene Nezu museum. Fast forward two years later with surging demands of early supporters, more boutiques started to emerge across the globe to cater their growing presence. In 2006, the brand sets foot in America for its first time with the salon in Boca Raton, Florida, and landed in Hong Kong the same year. Followed by inauguration of the boutique salon in Geneva in 2007, Paris in 2008, and New York in 2009. In 2010, the brand opened its doors as the 7th boutique in Beijing, China. The opening of the Journe Boutique in Beijing was an important moment for the firm as they expand their expertise and exceptional craft to the largest up and coming community of collectors from Asia. With a prime location located in the Yintaï Centre, it was only a 2-minute walk away from Tienanmen square. With the anticipation of the new boutique that will be opening in Mayfair London soon, collectors might just have one more boutique addition to add to their list.

    And speaking about boutique edition by F. P. Journe, needless to say that Journe created only very few limited editions with extremely little room on customisation over the years. The boutique editions that have sprinkled in the brand’s lineage are nothing short of legendary amongst passionate circle of collectors. Often made as celebratory milestones of new expansion or anniversary of Salons, the Tourbillon Souverain TN (Tourbillon Nouveau) is amongst one of the most favoured model. Introduced during 2003 in the wake of a new era of Journe innovation, the TN cal. 1403 crafted in 18K pink gold movement ushered out the brass movements that were in use. Sized at 14-ligne and developed in 2003 hence cal. 1403, the new upgrade from brass cal. 1498 features the integrated seconde morte (deadbeat seconds) within the constant force mechanism of the Tourbillon Souverain TN. With an estimated 15 years of production run, only about 850 examples of the Tourbillon Nouveau were made. Early transitional examples of the model were both available in 38mm and 40mm diameter case. Discontinued in the smaller case size from the catalogue, the 38mm diameter models are considered the origin of F. P. Journe, so important, that Journe released the Stainless Steel 38mm set of five iconic models including the Tourbillon Souverain in 2015 to commemorate its discontinuation. (The set is also available in this auction.)

    Too often, the thing you want most is the one thing you can't have. And that really resonated in the collector’s circle together with the booming new pool of watch enthusiasts. Considered more elegantly sized, since then the demand of 38mm timepieces from the brand has surged to all time high.

    Over the years, only a handful of Journe Tourbillon Souverain TN are produced in celebration of the milestones of his boutiques. Starting from 2006 with the 5th anniversary of the Tokyo boutique, the Tourbillon Souverain TN cased in titanium have a distinct look thanks to the cool of the ruthenium-coated white gold. Almost a gun-metal grey complemented with pink gold accents throughout the dial, hands and crown, the two-tone commemorative piece was a limited edition of 5 pieces. This exact design was furthermore produced as a limited boutique edition for other locations: Boca Raton (Lot 1005 in this auction), Hong Kong and Geneva, resulting a total of 20 examples made in this configuration. According to our research of examples that have appeared publicly, they were all cased in 40mm diameter. Besides the mythical piece unique Paris Boutique edition in a 40mm diameter platinum case and fitted with a Lapis lazuli dial, this leaves us the most daring and vibrant edition made for boutiques, the China edition from 2010.

    Bright, bold in fiery red, to commemorate the opening of the Beijing boutique F.P. Journe created an exclusive and extremely rare, limited edition series of Tourbillon Souverain (TN) featuring a red lacquered dial displaying the 5 stars as seen on the national flag of the People’s Republic of China representing the 5 regions of the PRC replacing the hour units for the power reserve indication as seen in regular examples of the model.

    And we dare to say, this was the first ever Tourbillon Souverain to feature a vibrant twist of red. With the brand’s involvement in China, the trend has changed where more and more collectors from the region are starting to admire the intricacy and the difference between haute horology versus mass-produced luxury watches, which proved Journe’s shared vision with George Daniels to focus on creating non-utilitarian watches on point.

    To our knowledge, only 2 examples from the limited edition of 5 pieces have ever appeared in the market, both sized at 40mm diameter, PHILLIPS had the pleasure of auctioning the first one in Hong Kong in 2022 with a staggering result of 8.72 million. The second example paired with a bracelet was sold at auction in 2023 for 9.45 million.

    Fresh-to-the-market and cherished by the original owner, the present example F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain “Chine 2010” is the third one to surface in the market. Even better, it is the only known to be identified with a 38mm diameter platinum case. Preserved in absolutely stunning condition accompanied by its original accessories, the “Chine 2010 38” with uber rarity was requested by the astute collector in regards to having a more elegantly proportioned case for the watch. And indeed, it was. A testament to the importance of the Chinese market, a piece of horological art and the most iconic Journe complicated wristwatch, the present example ticks all the boxes. PHILLIPS is extremely humbled and excited to be entrusted by the original owner of the present timepiece to offer this rare and exciting wristwatch at our Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVII.

  • 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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Property from an Important Asian Collector PLEASE NOTE, THIS LOT IS A PREMIUM LOT. TO BID ON THE LOT YOU MUST COMPLETE AND SATISFY OUR PREMIUM LOT PRE-REGISTRATION PROCEDURE NO LATER THAN 24 HOURS BEFORE THE START OF THE AUCTION SESSION IN WHICH IT IS OFFERED. PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT ALL BIDDERS MUST PLACE BIDS IN PERSON, VIA ABSENTEE BID, OR BY TELEPHONE. PLEASE CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR DETAILS.

Σ962

An extremely rare, highly coveted and commemorative platinum 38mm diameter wristwatch with tourbillon regulator, deadbeat seconds, remontoir d’égalité, power reserve indication, certificate and presentation box, one of a limited edition of 5 pieces made to commemorate the opening of the F. P. Journe Boutique in Beijing

Circa 2010
38mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
HK$6,000,000 - 10,000,000 
€727,000-1,210,000
$769,000-1,280,000

Sold for HK$6,858,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVII

Hong Kong Auction 24-25 November 2023