F. P. Journe

François-Paul Journe’s timepieces have flourished as contemporary wristwatches that blend with traditional elements from the golden age of horology, drawing inspiration from 18th and 19th-century marine chronometers and pocket watches. The Tourbillon Souverain in particular, is renowned for its “remontoir d’égalite”, the mechanism providing precision and accuracy for the manual winding movement. 

Like all F.P. Journe wristwatches, the present Tourbillon Souverain is topped by the iconic “Invenit et Fecit” motto, signifying the independence of Journe’s timepiece manufacturing from other brand ambassadors. The text and motto are visible on a charcoal grey surface, a choice of typography which gives the dial a pleasant variety of tones along with its open-heart movement display, white off-centre hour and minute dial and power reserve indicator. 

This present F.P. Journe timepiece is part of the Ruthenium Collection - among them the Tourbillon Souverain - with each model produced in a series of 99 pieces. The collection saw Journe reintroduce five celebrated wristwatch models from 2001 until its completion in 2004, towards the end of the brass movement era. A further change was the increase to a 40mm case size. These wristwatches were distinguished for their ruthenium-coated gold dials and platinum cases, a rarity sure to attract F.P. Journe admirers. 

The present watch comes to us from a collection held by an important British Family who were instrumental in supporting F.P. Journe in his early career and introducing his remarkable skills and creations to a wider audience.