F.P. Journe

Tourbillon Souverain | A platinum tourbillon wristwatch with constant force remontoire, dead beat seconds and power reserve indication, Circa 2008

Auction Closed

April 24, 04:23 PM GMT

Estimate

2,500,000 - 5,000,000 HKD

Lot Details

Description

PROPERTY FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER

F.P. Journe

Tourbillon Souverain

A platinum tourbillon wristwatch with constant force remontoire, dead beat seconds and power reserve indication, Circa 2008

Dial: silvered white gold

Calibre: cal. 1403 mechanical, 26 jewels

Case: platinum, case back secured by 6 screws

Case number: 394-TN

Closure: grey F.P. Journe alligator strap and 18k white gold folding clasp

Size: 40 mm diameter

Signed: case, dial and movement

Accessories: F.P. Journe Certificate of Authenticity and presentation box

The tourbillon complication has been at the centre of everything Journe has done, since the very beginning. After being expelled from watchmaking school at the age of 16 for his eccentric personality, something which is not only still present but in-fact key to his identity, Journe was taken in as an apprentice at his uncle’s clock restoring studio in Paris. It was there where he was exposed to and inspired by traditional watchmaking from the likes of Breguet, the inventor of the tourbillon.

In 1977 at the age of 20, Journe began working on his own tourbillon in the form of a pocketwatch, completing it in 1983. The process sparked his creative process, and fueled with his newly found passion and skillset, in 1991 a young Journe turned up to Baselworld with his first wristwatch, featuring a tourbillon and remontoir d'égalité. The rest is history, and F.P. Journe’s line of tourbillon wristwatches would become core to his collection and brand identity.

Despite undergoing several variations across the years, the core layout with openworked tourbillon cage parallel to a subsidiary timetelling dial would remain the same. Also unchanging would be the use of a remontoir d'égalité, a complex mechanism which releases a uniform pulse of power to the escapement as opposed to the usual flow of energy which changes with the state of winding, and thus improving accuracy. With the reference TN introduced in 2004, the remontoir was cleverly combined with a natural dead beat seconds complications.

The present Tourbillon Souverain, preserved in wonderful condition, is truly more than a watch. It represents the great success story that is F.P. Journe, and encapsulates the very best of contemporary non-utilitarian watchmaking. Today, F.P. Journe is a name known and respected by any connoisseur, and his magnum opus is the Tourbillon avec remontoir d'égalité.

F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain

鉑金陀飛輪腕錶，備恆定動力裝置、跳秒及動力儲備顯示，約2008年製

附帶證書及盒子

Please note that the movement has not been tested for the accuracy of time and may need a service at the buyer's expense.

Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement and we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. You are advised that watch straps or bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator or crocodile) are not sold with the watch and we reserve the right to remove these straps or bands prior to shipping. Furthermore, the watch may not come with its original manufacturers strap or band.

Prospective bidders should review the Conditions of Business, Authenticity Guarantee, the Guide for Prospective Buyers, and any Important Notice in the sale catalogue.

"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."