This November the auction house Christie’s has held a very special event in Geneva, a sale of rare watches of great value whose profits have gone to the European Association against Leukodystrophy (ALS). There are many luxury watchmakers that have contributed their bit to this cause with authentic collector’s jewels such as Richard Mille, Bovet, Girard Perregaux or Montblanc.
This is one of only 40 units with a rose gold case and white gold dial.
During that event, a unique piece was also put up for sale, a FP Journe –work of the watchmaker François-Paul Journe- which was in a magnificent state of conservation and whose estimated selling price was between 400,000 and 600,000 Swiss francs (between 426,000 and 640,000 euros at the current exchange rate), but which finally managed to exceed all expectations and was sold for 730,800 Swiss francs (about 779,000 euros at the current exchange rate).
This Tourbillon Souverain belongs to the ‘Reference T’ series and represents the third generation of the model. This is number 62 of the series produced in 2000. Until 2004 this reference was equipped with the rhodium-plated brass caliber 1498, from then on it was replaced by the caliber 1403 made of 18-karat gold, so this design Today they are considered a work of art.
This piece was sold in France in 2000
This model was first presented at Baselworld in 1999 and holds the title of Journe’s first mass production watch after the success of the first 20 Souscription watches. In particular, it was the first wristwatch to incorporate the ‘Remontoire d’Egalité’a constant force mechanism that ensures constant timekeeping by regulating the fluctuating force delivered by the mainspring to the escapement as it unwinds. This mechanism ensures that the tourbillon receives a constant force during 42 hours of power reserve of the watch.
Typically this design came with a platinum case and very few were produced in rose gold, platinum was the material chosen for the initial prototypes of Journe and the Souscription Tourbillons. Thus, it is estimated that they were manufactured less than 40 with rose gold case and white gold dial and this is one of them.
This copy was sold in France in 2000 and presents French imported stamps on case back with surface engraving, an additional unique feature of this rare piece that has become one of the undisputed protagonists of this sale.
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