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Lot Essay
François-Paul Journe’s three intriguing, elegant and technically brilliant jump-hour ‘Vagabondage’ timepieces are the ultimate in stealth wealth. So discreet that even the maker’s name does not appear on the dial, yet they are immediately recognizable to true watch aficionados as the incredibly sophisticated and highly original wristwatches that have maintained a cult following since the platinum ‘Vagabondage I’ was released in 2006. ‘Vagabondage II’ and ‘Vagabondage III’ followed circa 2010 and 2017 respectively. Each different model was made in a limited edition of 69 pieces in platinum and originally sold individually. This magnificent set of all three ‘Vagabondage’ watches, each with matching number 47/69, was especially assembled after the release of the ‘Vagabondage III’ and christened ‘Triptyque Vagabondage’. A special fitted box was created by F.P. Journe for this ultra-exclusive set which affords both F.P. Journe collectors and those who enjoy the very finest haute horology the almost unheard of opportunity to obtain a matching example of every platinum ‘Vagabondage’ model.
F.P. Journe’s Vagabondage
The origin and story of the ‘Vagabondage’ wristwatch is a fascinating one. As early as 1997, François-Paul Journe had in fact made a unique special order automatic wristwatch called the ‘Carpe Diem’ with wandering jump-hours around a central visible balance. However, the catalyst for the production in series of a similar watch that was to become known as the ‘Vagabondage’ was the request to provide a unique timepiece to be sold for the benefit of the ICM Foundation in 2003. As time was of the essence, Journe decided to revisit some of his already planned but archived designs for a flat tortue-shaped wristwatch with wandering jump-hour time display revolving around a visible balance and escapement. Eventually, not one, but three unique pieces cased in rose, yellow and white gold and fitted with brass movements and with no signature on the dial were delivered for the ICM charity auction. Now christened the ‘Vagabondage’ in homage to its wandering hours display, the first commercial series of wristwatches was manufactured from 2006 in a limited edition of 69 pieces cased in platinum. A further 10 examples were made set with baguette-cut diamonds. The new model had the distinctive ‘Tortue’ platinum case and a new rose gold hand-wound movement, the calibre 1504. The dial featured digital jumping hours in a wandering aperture that circled the dial to indicate the minutes on the outer track. In the centre is an aperture to exhibit the balance and escapement.
In 2010, ‘Vagabondage II’ was launched. This watch is different in design to I and displays through a ‘smoked’ sapphire crystal dial the jumping minutes as well as the digital jumping hours by means of three separate discs. It also features two further additions, a small subsidiary seconds dial and a power reserve sector.
The third and last model, ‘Vagabondage III’ was available from 2017. A technical and visual triumph, this model showcases several further Journe innovations including being the first ever wristwatch to feature jumping digital seconds. In addition, the wheel train incorporates another of F.P. Journe classic mechanisms, a one-minute remontoire d’égalité in order to regulate the power required for the jumping discs.
F.P. Journe’s Vagabondage
The origin and story of the ‘Vagabondage’ wristwatch is a fascinating one. As early as 1997, François-Paul Journe had in fact made a unique special order automatic wristwatch called the ‘Carpe Diem’ with wandering jump-hours around a central visible balance. However, the catalyst for the production in series of a similar watch that was to become known as the ‘Vagabondage’ was the request to provide a unique timepiece to be sold for the benefit of the ICM Foundation in 2003. As time was of the essence, Journe decided to revisit some of his already planned but archived designs for a flat tortue-shaped wristwatch with wandering jump-hour time display revolving around a visible balance and escapement. Eventually, not one, but three unique pieces cased in rose, yellow and white gold and fitted with brass movements and with no signature on the dial were delivered for the ICM charity auction. Now christened the ‘Vagabondage’ in homage to its wandering hours display, the first commercial series of wristwatches was manufactured from 2006 in a limited edition of 69 pieces cased in platinum. A further 10 examples were made set with baguette-cut diamonds. The new model had the distinctive ‘Tortue’ platinum case and a new rose gold hand-wound movement, the calibre 1504. The dial featured digital jumping hours in a wandering aperture that circled the dial to indicate the minutes on the outer track. In the centre is an aperture to exhibit the balance and escapement.
In 2010, ‘Vagabondage II’ was launched. This watch is different in design to I and displays through a ‘smoked’ sapphire crystal dial the jumping minutes as well as the digital jumping hours by means of three separate discs. It also features two further additions, a small subsidiary seconds dial and a power reserve sector.
The third and last model, ‘Vagabondage III’ was available from 2017. A technical and visual triumph, this model showcases several further Journe innovations including being the first ever wristwatch to feature jumping digital seconds. In addition, the wheel train incorporates another of F.P. Journe classic mechanisms, a one-minute remontoire d’égalité in order to regulate the power required for the jumping discs.