F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain à Remontoir d'Egalite | A platinum tourbillon wristwatch with constant force remontoir, power reserve indication and brass movement, Circa 2002
Tourbillon Souverain à Remontoir d'Egalite
A platinum tourbillon wristwatch with constant force remontoir, power reserve indication and brass movement, Circa 2002
Dial: yellow gold
Caliber: cal. 1498 mechanical brass movement, 25 jewels
Case: platinum, sapphire crystal display back secured by six screws
Case number: 161/02T
Closure: platinum F.P. Journe buckle
Size: 38 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: no
Condition Report:
Case: Case in good condition with light surface wear, scuffing, and scratches consistent with age and precious use. The bezel with scratches and nicks visible to the naked eye, especially at 2, 3-4, and 9 o’clock. Some surface scratches to the face of the flat crown. Some light signs of rubbing to the platinum markers of the case back. F.P. Journe buckle with light surface scuffing.
Dial: The Dial is in very good condition. Light texture present consistent with early production dials produced by the manufacturer in this series.
Movement: The movement is running at time of cataloging, however it was not tested for the accuracy of time or duration of the power reserve and may need service at the buyer's discretion. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement.
***Please be advised that the bands on this watch are made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) and thus not sold with the watch, they are for display purposes only. We will remove these bands prior to international shipping and the state of California.***
Catalogue Note:
In 1999, Journe introduced a Souscription where 20 close friends and clients committed a deposit to build 20 Tourbillon Souverain watches for each contributor and allowed the creation of Montres Journe. The earliest of these Souscription tourbillons were numbered on the dial from “1/20” to “20/20” as well as on the case back beside the crown. After these first 20 examples, the following watches were numbered on the case back only. Less than 500 Tourbillon Souverains were produced with the brand’s early brass movements across all configurations, including 99 pieces from the Ruthenium Collection.
The present lot falls in the fourth and final generation of the model manufactured circa 2002 as noted by the case back engraving, “161/02T.” this final iteration presents other characteristics including smaller screws to the dial, a white subsidiary dial which juxtaposes the intense yellow gold surround. This yellow gold dial is lightly textured and displays an attractive iridescence unique to these early brass pieces.
The Tourbillon Souverain à Remontoir d'Egalite was F.P. Journe’s very first serially produced wristwatch, originally manufactured from 1999 – 2003. The model marked the first usage of a constant force remontoire in a wristwatch, a timekeeping mechanism that would regulate the uneven force delivered by the mainspring. Combining the tourbillon complication pays tribute to F.P. Journe’s technical genius in the creation of complicated modern wristwatches firmly rooted in horological tradition.
In 2004, Journe began manufacturing movements from 18-carat gold, but today, F.P. Journe’s earliest brass-movement wristwatches garner more interest and appreciation from collectors.
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Tourbillon Souverain à Remontoir d'Egalite
A platinum tourbillon wristwatch with constant force remontoir, power reserve indication and brass movement, Circa 2002
Dial: yellow gold
Caliber: cal. 1498 mechanical brass movement, 25 jewels
Case: platinum, sapphire crystal display back secured by six screws
Case number: 161/02T
Closure: platinum F.P. Journe buckle
Size: 38 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: no
Condition Report:
Case: Case in good condition with light surface wear, scuffing, and scratches consistent with age and precious use. The bezel with scratches and nicks visible to the naked eye, especially at 2, 3-4, and 9 o’clock. Some surface scratches to the face of the flat crown. Some light signs of rubbing to the platinum markers of the case back. F.P. Journe buckle with light surface scuffing.
Dial: The Dial is in very good condition. Light texture present consistent with early production dials produced by the manufacturer in this series.
Movement: The movement is running at time of cataloging, however it was not tested for the accuracy of time or duration of the power reserve and may need service at the buyer's discretion. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement.
***Please be advised that the bands on this watch are made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) and thus not sold with the watch, they are for display purposes only. We will remove these bands prior to international shipping and the state of California.***
Catalogue Note:
In 1999, Journe introduced a Souscription where 20 close friends and clients committed a deposit to build 20 Tourbillon Souverain watches for each contributor and allowed the creation of Montres Journe. The earliest of these Souscription tourbillons were numbered on the dial from “1/20” to “20/20” as well as on the case back beside the crown. After these first 20 examples, the following watches were numbered on the case back only. Less than 500 Tourbillon Souverains were produced with the brand’s early brass movements across all configurations, including 99 pieces from the Ruthenium Collection.
The present lot falls in the fourth and final generation of the model manufactured circa 2002 as noted by the case back engraving, “161/02T.” this final iteration presents other characteristics including smaller screws to the dial, a white subsidiary dial which juxtaposes the intense yellow gold surround. This yellow gold dial is lightly textured and displays an attractive iridescence unique to these early brass pieces.
The Tourbillon Souverain à Remontoir d'Egalite was F.P. Journe’s very first serially produced wristwatch, originally manufactured from 1999 – 2003. The model marked the first usage of a constant force remontoire in a wristwatch, a timekeeping mechanism that would regulate the uneven force delivered by the mainspring. Combining the tourbillon complication pays tribute to F.P. Journe’s technical genius in the creation of complicated modern wristwatches firmly rooted in horological tradition.
In 2004, Journe began manufacturing movements from 18-carat gold, but today, F.P. Journe’s earliest brass-movement wristwatches garner more interest and appreciation from collectors.
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