F.P. Journe - The New York Watch Auction: SIX New York Saturday, June 11, 2022 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: F.P. Journe
    Year: 2015
    Case No: 649-TN
    Model Name: Tourbillon Souverain
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 1403, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by F.P. Journe Certificate of Guarantee confirming purchase of the watch on February 24th 2015 with a special request green jade dial, two original invoices, product literature, polishing cloth, additional unworn tan crocodile strap, fitted presentation box, and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    François-Paul Journe introduced the Tourbillon Nouveau (reference “TN”) in 2003 to replace the previous Tourbillon (reference “T”) which had been in production since 1999. The TN remained continuously produced for nearly 15 years, between 2004 and 2018, until 2019 saw the introduction of the Vertical Tourbillon.

    The Tourbillon Nouveau can be seen as a wholesale upheaval of the previous tourbillon movement. The brass movement was discontinued and replaced by a movement made entirely of 18 karat pink gold — a first for the watch industry. François-Paul also incorporated a deadbeat seconds (the secondes mortes spoken of on the dial) mechanism, further adding to the technical superiority for technical superiority’s sake. First implemented in the mid-seventeenth century, but not used in wristwatches until the mid-twentieth century, the seconds hand will completely stop as the escapement continues to beat, not moving until one second has elapsed - at which point it will advance to indicate the next second. This seems like a simple feature but requires a complex and precise mechanism to reliably stop and restart the seconds hand so that it does not move at the same rate as the vibration of the balance wheel.

    But enthusiasts will be drawn to the most singular part of this watch: the dial, created by the in-house dial makers of F.P. Journe, Les Cadraniers de Genève with great skill and at great expense. Jade is rarely used in timepieces as at a certain thickness (or thin-ness), jade will crack, and it requires extreme care, skill, and artisanship to place in a watch dial. Though known for its importance in East and South Asian cultures, jade also possesses special meaning for Mesoamerican cultures and the Māori of New Zealand, where it is considered a taonga or “treasure” protected by the Treaty of Waitangi. The present piece of jade possesses a calming sea foam color, reminiscent of the warm and shallow waters of one of the Pacific islands. A close study of the dial reveals mesmerizing details, including how the printing of all text and graphics over the main jade dial appear to float above the surface.

    According to our research, extremely small numbers of the TN were produced with jade dials in 38mm and 40mm case sizes. This is of course the latter, a 40mm TN delivered in 2015 to the present owner, who is offering it for sale for the very first time. It comes as the full package, with original certificate, purchase invoices, product literature, extra strap, and presentation box.

    PROPERTY OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER

  • 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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Σ10

A sublime and extremely rare tourbillon wristwatch with jade dial, constant force remontoire, power reserve, dead beat seconds, certificate of authenticity, and presentation box

2015
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.

Estimate
$200,000 - 400,000 
CHF200,000-401,000
€192,000-384,000
HK$1,570,000-3,140,000
S$278,000-556,000

Sold for $1,240,000

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros

Head of Watches, Americas

+1 (212) 940-1293

WatchesNY@Phillips.com

 

Isabella Proia

Head of Sale, New York

+1 (212) 940 1285

iproia@phillips.com

The New York Watch Auction: SIX

New York Auction 11-12 June 2022