F.P.Journe x Christies Geneva auction (12 May 2023)
F.P.Journe x Christies, brings the work of one of the hottest names on the auction scene, a Maison beloved by the cognoscenti for crafting technical ingenuity, mechanical excellence and bewitching aesthetics and presents it in one place for the delectation of watch aficionados. On 12 May 2023, Christie’s will host an auction at the Four Seasons Hotel Des Bergues, Geneva where forty timekeepers will be offered for sale. US-based journalist, Meehna Goldsmith, provides a brief overview of what’s in store.
Image – Tourbillon Souverain model, No. 754-TN. Circa 2018.
François-Paul Journe
In the world of watchmaking, François-Paul Journe is a superstar. Although he trained at two different watchmaking schools, Journe probably learned more from his uncle, Michel Journe. A young rebel who never finished high school and got kicked out of his first horology academy, Journe was sent to work at his uncle’s antique clock restoration atelier in Paris. Uncle Michel was a unicorn, one who had the knowledge and know-how to restore historical treasures by the likes of Abraham-Louis Breguet and Antide Janvier. Inspired by these masterpieces, the young Journe found his passion and direction.
Journe gained a reputation as a talented watchmaker, commissioned to make pieces for brands such as Asprey of London and Cartier. However, such brands did not disclose the people behind these creations. Journe started to calculate how he could establish his own brand. In his own inimitable style, he explained his reason: “Because I was fed up with giving pearls to swine.”
Image – Centirgraphe Souverain F model, Formula Jean Todt Edition, No. 096-CT. Circa 2010.
F.P.Journe x Christies – Tourbillon Souverain
Journe debuted the original Tourbillon Souverain at Baselworld 1991. It might come as a surprise that when he presented the watch to larger brands to consider for their catalogue, they didn’t give much of a sniff of interest. Undeterred, Journe continued taking commissions and doing repairs, all the while the wheels turning about how to get his moniker on the dial.
And then an idea struck, actually the suggestion of a friend. Why not employ a method of one of his horological heroes? To finance a run of his watches, Breguet offered a souscription (subscription) model. What this means is that a client puts down a percentage of the price of a yet-to-be-produced watch, paying the balance upon delivery. It can be a risky proposition and requires the client to put much trust in the watchmaker. There’s always a possibility the watchmaker won’t deliver, resulting in the loss of the deposit.
The Tourbillon Souverain à Remontoir d’Egalite took a bow in 1999, a limited edition of 20. The first wristwatch to combine a tourbillon and a remontoire constant force device, this piece officially launched the F.P.Journe brand. It also revealed the maestro behind the handiwork.
Image – Tourbillon Souverain model, No. 754-TN. Circa 2018.
F.P.Journe x Christies – Chronomètre à Résonance
Journe loves a challenge. Even better if it hasn’t ever been attempted before. As mentioned above, when Journe was living with his Uncle, he got to keep company with the creations of Breguet and Antide. What fascinated him, in particular, was how they employed the concept of resonance to improve timekeeping. Explained simply, when an object is in motion, it creates vibrations. If it encounters another object with a similar resonant frequency, then it will absorb the first’s energy and begin vibrating at the same frequency. When a movement is resonant, it stays in lockstep with its mirror, keeping fluctuations of the balance wheel to a minimum.
Resonance had been achieved with double pendulum clocks, and in pocket watches using two balance wheels. However, no one had successfully presented a working model in a wristwatch. Journe had attempted the feat in 1983, but couldn’t pull it off. He admitted later he didn’t have the knowledge at the time. Still, he continued to tinker. Finally, all his ingenuity and experience came together in 2000 with the release of the Chronomètre à Résonance, the first wristwatch using resonance. These were offered to those who had purchased the Tourbillon Souverain, using the same souscription structure.
As you can imagine, Journe’s watches command a premium, priced in the upper echelon of Haute Horlogerie. In addition, since his atelier only produces just over 900 watches per year, it’s hard to spot a Journe in the wild. Unless, of course, one is attending a watch event. Even then there might be few, if any, on display.
Image – Chronometre a Resonance ‘Pre-Souscription’ model, Case No. 040/00R. Circa 2000.
The Art of Journe, Christie’s Geneva (12.5.2023)
Journe fanatics and horophiles everywhere, get ready for a treat. On 12 May 2023, at the Four Seasons Hotel Des Bergues in Geneva, Christie’s will present 40 of Journe’s masterpieces at the largest thematic auction of the brand’s timepieces. I haven’t seen the entire catalogue at the time of writing, but Christie’s has revealed some of the highlights that will be on sale.
Based on the estimates provided, there are two notable highlights worthy of mention. The first is a platinum F.P.Journe Tourbillon Souverain with a solid platinum bracelet. What singles this one out is the jade dial, of which few were made. Circa 2018 (Est.: CHF500,000-1,000,000).
Image – Tourbillon Souverain model, No. 754-TN. Circa 2018.
Any souscription watch from Journe is a real piece of history, but what about a ‘Pré-Souscription’ platinum Chronomètre à Résonance? This watch is the prequel to the souscription model. Circa 2000. (Est: CHF500,000- 1,000,000).
An exclusive example of F.P.Journe’s sport watch, this Centigraphe Souverain features a chronograph able to time events to a 100th of a second, a 20th of a second and at 10-minute intervals. Secured on a platinum bracelet, it stands out with its ‘Ferrari red dial’, a feature only available upon request. Circa 2010. (Est: CHF400,000-600,000). Interestingly, based on this estimate you could purchase two or three examples of the Ferrari Roma and still have some change leftover.
F.P.Journe x Christies – Octa Calendrier
An Octa Calendrier, the first watch to include an annual calendar with pointer date, also makes an appearance. Specifically produced in an edition of 15 for retailer ‘Sincere Fine Watches’, this Calendrier features a black mother-of-pearl dial. Circa 2006. (Est: CHF150,000-250,000).
Image – Octa Calendrier model, No. 281-Q. Circa 2006.
Another limited edition to whet the appetite of any Journe devotee is a platinum Chronomètre Souverain with green dial (only 99 examples were made). It was produced to celebrate the opening of F.P.Journe’s first Dubai boutique. While many brands offer a rendition of a green dial, I really take to this one’s cheery hue. Circa 2021. (Est: CHF60,000-120,000)
Image – Chronometre Souverain model, No. 64/99_CSD. Circa 2021.
F.P.Journe x Christies – Octa LineSport
Also representing the Octa family is a rare version of an Octa ‘LineSport’. Constructed from ultra-light titanium, this automatic watch stands out with its blue dial, which made a brief appearance in a limited edition of eight pieces. Christie’s believes this is the first one of its kind to appear at an international auction. A nice byproduct of this sale is that a portion of the proceeds will be donated to “Only Watch”, benefitting the Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies, for research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Circa 2019. (Est: CHF60,000-120,000).
Image – Ultra-light titanium Octa ‘Linesport’ model. Limited Edition of only 8 pieces. Circa 2019.
Christie’s F.P.Journe-themed sale is a pretty extraordinary opportunity to see and interact with the work of one of the greatest watchmakers either living or hunched over a bench in the hereafter. If you have the opportunity to get to Geneva, I wouldn’t pass it up.