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The Five Most Expensive F.P. Journe Watches
Explore the five most expensive F.P. Journe watches, highlighting the brand’s craftsmanship, rarity, and enduring collector appeal.
Few names command as much reverence among collectors as F.P. Journe. Founded in 1999 by the visionary French watchmaker François-Paul Journe, the brand quickly carved out a reputation for independent innovation, technical brilliance, and an unwavering dedication to traditional craftsmanship. Journe began his career restoring antique timepieces, drawing deep inspiration from horological legends like Breguet and George Daniels. This foundation in historical mastery fueled the development of his own mechanical breakthroughs—many of which would go on to redefine modern watchmaking. F.P. Journe watches are celebrated not only for their meticulous design and technical ingenuity but also for their rarity and philosophical approach to horology. This article highlights the five most expensive FP Journe watches sold at auction since 2021, showcasing their unique features, rarity and importance in horological history.
Most Expensive F.P. Journe Watches
| Rank | Model | Notable Features | Price (USD) |
| 1 | F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain Souscription | Early subscription model; only 20 pieces made to launch the brand | $2,000,000 |
| 2 | F.P. Journe Centigraphe Souverain ‘Formula Jean Todt Ferrari’ | Limited “Rosso Corsa” edition; Ferrari-red dial with Giallo Moderna hands; measures 1/100th of a second; platinum case & bracelet | $1,636,000 |
| 3 | F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance Pre-production Pre-Souscription | Extremely rare pre-production model predating official brand launch | $1,300,000 |
| 4 | F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain ‘Ruthenium’ | Platinum case; ruthenium-coated solid-gold dial; early brass movement; constant-force remontoir | $1,143,000 |
| 5 | F.P. Journe Octa Chronographe ‘Ruthenium’ | Platinum case; rare ruthenium dial; early brass calibre 1300; integrated automatic chronograph with 120-hour power reserve | $800,100 |
1. FP Journe Tourbillon Souverain Souscription, Circa 1999, 15,905,000 HKD
This FP Journe Tourbillon Souverain Souscription sold for 15,905,000 HKD in October 2021. Crafted in 1999 as part of a subscription series designed to fund the launch of his eponymous brand, only 20 examples were made. This particular model, number 13/20, features a platinum case paired with a yellow gold dial and a rhodium-plated brass movement. It also includes one of Journe’s signature innovations: the remontoir d’égalité, or constant-force mechanism, coupled with a tourbillon. This technical achievement ensured even distribution of energy throughout the movement, a rare and ambitious feature at the time.
Beyond its mechanical excellence, this example carries immense emotional and historical value. The original owner was among the select few who placed their trust in Journe with an advance deposit, enabling the dream of independent production. With light surface patina on the dial and the use of a brass movement—later replaced by gold in newer models—this early piece stands as a testament to Journe’s humble beginnings and enduring vision.
2.F.P. Journe Centigraphe Souverain “Formula Jean Todt ‘Ferrari’”, $1,636,000 USD
The F.P. Journe Centigraphe Souverain “Formula Jean Todt ‘Ferrari’” sold for $1,636,000 in December 2025, setting a new benchmark for contemporary Journe chronographs. The model is celebrated for its revolutionary cal. 1506 movement—crafted with 18k gold bridges and plates—and its patented mechanism that isolates the chronograph from the timekeeping gear train, ensuring flawless precision even when timing to one-hundredth of a second.
This example belongs to the exceptionally rare “Rosso Corsa” series, believed to comprise fewer than 20 pieces, featuring a vivid Ferrari red dial made using authentic automotive paint and hands finished in Giallo Moderna. Conceived in collaboration with Jean Todt, the watch embodies a fusion of high-performance engineering and horological artistry, making it one of the most desirable Centigraphes ever to appear at auction.
3.FP Journe Chronomètre à Résonance Pre-production Pre-Souscription, Circa 1999, 1,071,000 CHF
This FP Journe Chronomètre à Résonance Pre-production Pre-Souscription sold for 1,071,000 CHF in November 2022. This exceptional watch predates the official founding of the F.P. Journe brand and is one of only approximately ten pre-production examples made in 1999. With a 38mm platinum case and a shimmering white gold dial, this rare timepiece demonstrates the nascent stages of Journe’s revolutionary ideas.
This particular piece, numbered 028/99R, holds unique appeal with its hand-engraved case markings—details that would later be replaced with laser engraving. Most remarkable is its use of the resonance phenomenon, wherein two balance wheels beat in harmony to enhance timekeeping precision, a concept rooted in the works of Breguet and Daniels. This early model exemplifies Journe’s reverence for classical horology while pushing its boundaries into new territory. The rarity, provenance, and technical audacity of this pre-Souscription model contribute to its extraordinary value and collector appeal.
4. F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain “Ruthenium”, $1,143,000 USD
The F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain “Ruthenium” sold for $1,143,000 in December 2025, reaffirming the enduring desirability of Journe’s most emblematic complication paired with the rare Ruthenium aesthetic. Numbered 20/99, this platinum 40mm example features a solid gold dial coated in ruthenium—a deep, metallic grey finish that distinguishes this limited series within Journe’s early production period.
The dial layout retains the classical architecture of Journe’s Remontoir d’Égalité tourbillons, with the one-minute tourbillon at 9 o’clock and the constant-force remontoir at 11 o’clock, powered by the manual-wound calibre 1498 in rhodium-plated brass. A defining reference for collectors, the Ruthenium Tourbillon represents a pivotal moment in Journe’s evolution, uniting historical significance with mechanical purity.
5. F.P. Journe Octa Chronographe “Ruthenium”, $800,100 USD
The F.P. Journe Octa Chronographe “Ruthenium” sold for $800,100 in December 2025, securing its place among the most important automatic chronographs in the Journe canon. Limited to just 99 pieces, the watch is distinguished by its ruthenium-coated gold dial and platinum case, a pairing that defines the celebrated five-piece Ruthenium collection.
Powered by the automatic calibre 1300—Journe’s first fully integrated chronograph movement—the Octa Chronographe combines a slim 10.6mm profile with an impressive 120-hour power reserve. Numbered 20/99, this example embodies the essence of early Journe production: technical sophistication, elegant asymmetry, and uncompromising rarity, making it one of the most coveted iterations of the Octa family.
The five F.P. Journe watches featured above stand as milestones in both the brand’s history and the broader narrative of independent watchmaking. From the pioneering Souscription series to the transitional Ruthenium editions, each piece reflects François-Paul Journe’s relentless pursuit of mechanical perfection and aesthetic harmony. Since 2021, record-breaking results at auction confirm not only their technical and artistic value but also their deep emotional resonance with collectors. As F.P. Journe remains one of the most respected names in the watch world, these timepieces serve as benchmarks of excellence and the enduring allure of true craftsmanship.
Frequently Asked Questions About F.P. Journe Watches
Is F.P. Journe a good watch?
Yes. F.P. Journe is considered one of the finest independent watchmakers in the world, celebrated for its precision, rarity, and craftsmanship. Each timepiece is handmade in Geneva with in-house 18k gold movements, and limited production ensures lasting value among serious collectors.
Why are F.P. Journe watches so expensive?
Their high value comes from exceptional craftsmanship, limited production, and technical innovation. Every watch is meticulously built using precious metals and complex mechanisms like the resonance system and remontoir d’égalité, driving strong demand and record auction results.
What makes early F.P. Journe watches so collectible?
Early pieces with brass movements (produced from 1999 to 2004) are especially sought-after for their historical importance and handmade quality. They represent the brand’s earliest years and are considered milestones of modern independent horology.
Buy and Sell FP Journe Watches with Sotheby’s
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