F.P. Journe - The New York Watch Auction: NINE New York Saturday, December 9, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: F.P. Journe
    Year: Circa 2002
    Case No: 47/99-01T
    Model Name: Tourbillon Souverain “Ruthenium”
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 1498, 25 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Platinum F.P. Journe bracelet, max overall length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum and 18K white gold F. P. Journe clasp
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by F.P. Journe fitted presentation box, loupe, spring bar tool, polishing cloth, and outer box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Between 2001 and 2003, Journe created the Ruthenium collection to bookend the brass movement production and move to 18K pink gold movements now in use throughout most of Journe’s current production watches. The Ruthenium collection comprised five models: the Octa Jour/Nuit (Night/Day), the Octa Calandrier, the Octa Chronographe, the Chronomètre à Résonance, and the Tourbillon Souveraine (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 diameters (the first instance of this case size being used), 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. Such Journe dials often display beautiful variations of patina, and in this case, the tarnish-free darkness of ruthenium further enhances the glimmer of the underlying gold dial. It is stunning to behold, especially when viewed under different lighting conditions. First identified and isolated in 1844, Ruthenium is a heavy, platinum group metal named after the antiquated Latin word for Russia, Ruthenia.

    Adding to the impressive rarity and quality of the present number 47 Tourbillon Ruthenium is the accompaniment of a radiant and substantial platinum bracelet. The overall “tone-on-tone” effect adds an additional layer of desirability to an already incredible timepiece.

  • 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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155

An elegant and extraordinary platinum tourbillon wristwatch with power reserve display, remontoire d’egalité, ruthenium dial, and ruthenium-coated movement, and platinum bracelet, numbered 47/99-01T

Circa 2002
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed.

Estimate
$150,000 - 300,000 
CHF135,000-270,000
€140,000-281,000
HK$1,170,000-2,340,000
S$204,000-408,000

Sold for $406,400

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Deputy Chairman and 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: NINE

New York Auction 9 - 10 December 2023