Five Extraordinary FP Journe Watches Sold at Sotheby's

I nvenit et Fecit - translated to “Invented and Made”- serves as a critical reminder of all that FP Journe stands for as an independent watchmaker. Meticulously researched and created, FP Journe has accrued a significant collector-base as a result of the brand’s exceptional craftsmanship. This article explores five extraordinary FP Journe watches from the Sotheby's archives, highlighting the stories of their creation and overall importance in horological history.

FP Journe Tourbillon Souverain Ruthenium, Circa 2003, 3,528,000 HKD

FP Journe watches — FP Journe Tourbillon Souverain Ruthenium, Circa 2003

This FP Journe Tourbillon Souverain Ruthenium sold for 3,528,000 HKD in October 2022.

The very first 20 FP Journe Tourbillon Souverain created in 1999 were Souscription models, where trusted clients received a 50% discount for the watch, allowing Journe to fundraise for his future masterpieces such as this piece.

The FP Journe Tourbillon Remontoir d’Egalite is one of the brand’s signature complications and the first ever tourbillon wristwatch featuring a remontoire mechanism, enhancing accuracy by exerting a constant and equal amount of energy to the tourbillon.

The rarity of the FP Journe tourbillon watch cannot be emphasized without mentioning the exceptional limited ruthenium collection which consisted of five models, each limited to a scarce production of 99 watches. What differentiates from other first generation FP Journe Tourbillon Remontoir d’ Egalite watches were the 40 mm case diameter and ruthenium finishing towards the dial and movement. Whilst they symbolized the end of the brass movement era, this timepiece represented the historic transition and remained highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.

FP Journe Chronomètre Holland & Holland, Circa 2017, 1,827,000 HKD

This FP Journe Chronomètre Holland & Holland sold for 1,827,000 HKD in April 2022, a significant outperformance versus its high estimate of 800,000 HKD.

This striking Journe watch was borne out of a collaboration with century-old British gunmaker Holland & Holland. The inspiration came from the discovery of two antique Holland & Holland guns, crafted from Damascus steel, which were more than a century old. As discussions unfolded between the two venerable companies, it became clear that these barrels would provide the perfect material for creating exceptional dials. Barrel No. 1382, dating back to 1868, would yield 38 dials, while the slightly smaller Barrel No. 7183, from 1882, would contribute 28 dials to the project.

This project was made possible through the decision by François-Paul Journe in 2001 to purchase shares of a dial manufacturing company, Les Cadraniers de Genève. This allowed Journe to develop rare dials, with arguably the best example being the FP Journe Chronomètre Holland & Holland.

The time-only watch was presented in a 39mm steel case, with the 18k rose gold movement viewable to the rear, with Holland & Holland also engraved to the perimeter. Each movement featured a reference to the barrel number as well as the edition number (66 were produced in total).

FP Journe Octa Perpétuelle Anniversaire Tokyo, Circa 2010, 1,575,000 HKD

This FP Journe Octa Perpétuelle Anniversaire Tokyo sold for 1,575,000 HKD in October 2022. A noteworthy outperformance versus its high estimate of 800,000 HKD.

Created to commemorate the 5th Anniversary of the FP Journe Tokyo Boutique, the Octa Perpétuelle was one of five models in the Tokyo Anniversaire series. Limited to a 99-piece production, not only was the FP Journe Octa Perpétuelle the singular new complication of the series, it was also the only collection it appears in.

The very first perpetual calendar made by FP Journe, this magnificent timepiece also featured a retrograde date function with recognition of the leap year indicated in a sub-aperture. In a quick set mechanism unique to the FP Journe Octa Perpétuelle, wearers could easily adjust the months annually and then lock it to prevent any accidental activation or change.

While titanium is already rarely used in fine watchmaking, the FP Journe Tokyo Anniversaire series presented a special polished titanium case with pink gold accents as well as a ruthenium coated white gold dial. This two-tone design is only seen in anniversary collections and beautifully complimented the smokey grey color of the rare ruthenium. Taking inspiration from the FP Journe Octa Calendrier, the dial featured the distinctive arc display for the retrograde date on the left, while a silver guilloche subdial displayed the time.

Powered by the exclusive and practically perfected pink gold calibre 1300.3 movement with 120-hour power reserve, the FP Journe Octa Perpétuelle was an aesthetic and mechanical masterpiece that elegantly showcased the expert craftsmanship of FP Journe.

FP Journe Triptyque Vagabondage 'Number 09/69', Circa 2017, 762,000 CHF

This FP Journe Triptyque Vagabondage 'Number 09/69' sold for 762,000 CHF in May 2024, exceedings its high estimate of 700,000 CHF.

The history of the FP Journe Vagabondage originates far beyond the actual creation of the timepiece. In the late 1990’s, even before the establishment of the FP Journe brand, Francois-Paul Journe was approached by a client who requested a wandering hours wristwatch. Interested and intrigued, Journe partnered with a major watch brand to realise this project that was called ‘Carpe Diem’. The project however, was halted after the prototype phase.

A few years later, in 2003, Mr. Journe was approached to offer a unique timepiece to be sold for charity in benefit of the ICM Foundation. The watchmaker decided to use the previous prototype that was now called Vagabondage, a new name suggested by French collector Jean Aube. In the end, Journe did not create one but three of these pieces that were sold for charity in 2004 in Geneva. Each of them was cased in a different colour of gold: white, pink and yellow.

In 2006, Mr. Journe then decided to launch the model as a limited edition run of 69 pieces in platinum, 68 in pink gold as well as 10 pieces with baguette diamonds. The regular Vagabondage 1 was born. This first model of the series, similarly to the charity pieces, features a rotating disc for the hours with a jumping rectangular frame to indicate the hour that also points to the minutes. Each time a new hour starts, the frame jumps to the next hour on the disc and follows its rotation to indicate the minutes on the railtrack. The dial is further animated by the central balance.

In 2010, Journe introduced the FP Journe Vagabondage II. It features a smoked sapphire glass that partly hides the rotating discs indicating the hours and minutes in the central apertures. A power reserve indication was also added at 12 o’clock, while the subsidiary seconds are displayed at 6.

Collectors had to wait until 2017 to discover the FP Journe Vagabondage III. The watch features a world premiere: the jumping digital seconds on a wristwatch. This model also incorporated the one-minute remontoire d’égalité to regulate the power needed for the discs. The digital jump-hours are indicated in the window at 9 o’clock while the minutes can be read through the central hand. Similarly to the FP Journe Vagabondage II, the third version has a power reserve indication, this time placed at 1 o’clock.

On the occasion of the launch of the FP Journe Vagabondage III, Mr. Journe offered to some of his most important clients the immense privilege of acquiring the Triptyque Vagabondage. It was a complete set of the three models presented in a special presentation case. Furthermore, the watches had the same numbers, this lot was 09/69.

FP Journe Tourbillon Souverain, Circa 2003, 330,200 CHF

This FP Journe Tourbillon Souverain sold for 330,200 CHF in May 2024.

The FP Journe Tourbillon Souverain d'Egalité, introduced in 1999, marked a significant milestone in the evolution of wristwatches, pioneering the integration of a constant force remontoire mechanism. This groundbreaking innovation, combined with the intricate tourbillon complication, exemplified FP Journe's mastery of horological traditions and his dedication to pushing the boundaries of modern timepieces.

Originally produced between 1999 and 2003, the FP Journe Tourbillon Souverain was the inaugural production wristwatch from Montres Journe. The present example was crafted in 2003 and represented the fourth and final generation of this iconic model which was estimated to have only seen 300 ever produced.

This FP Journe Tourbillon Souverain showcased a range of distinctive features characteristic of its fourth-generation lineage. Notable attributes included smaller dial screws, a flat remontoire cock, and deeper caseback engravings. Encased in platinum, the watch featured the signature FP Journe 'flat crown' with a rope-like pattern.

The manual-winding FP Journe caliber 1498 tourbillon movement, constructed from rhodium-plated brass adorned with Côtes de Genève, powered this exceptional timepiece. With 25 jewels and a shock-absorber mechanism, the movement ensured precise timekeeping and reliability. The one-second Remontoir d'egalité system, displayed prominently on the dial side, provided constant force to the escapement which enhanced accuracy and performance.

Highly coveted among collectors, particularly for its early rhodium-plated brass movement, the FP Journe Tourbillon Souverain encapsulated François-Paul Journe's enduring legacy and his relentless pursuit of horological excellence.

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