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Lot Essay
One of the most visually remarkable and incredibly rare versions of F.P. Journe’s second generation Tourbillon Souverain, the ‘Régence Circulaire’ was made in an edition of only 18 pieces. Up to 10 pieces, including the present watch, with a rose gold case and engraved white gold dial, and further examples with a rose gold case and rose gold dial.
One of the chief glories of the ‘Régence Circulaire’ is of course the spectacular hand-engraved white gold dial. The engraving for each dial took an artisan engraver based in Geneva two weeks to complete. The design originated from similar dials that were used on a few examples of the tourbillon made 15 years earlier for the International Jewellery & Watch Exhibition in Bahrain. However, the hand-engraved pattern itself derives from geometric motifs used in the decorative arts during the French Régence period in the early 18th century.
Tourbillon Souverain Ref. TN
Introduced in 2004, the 'Reference TN' for 'Tourbillon Nouveau' is the direct descendant of the celebrated ‘Reference T’ - F.P. Journe’s first production watch but also the very first wristwatch ever to use a constant force remontoire. The Tourbillon Souverain, undoubtedly one of the greats among F.P. Journe's horologic masterworks, is distinguished by its complications, combining a one-minute tourbillon with a constant force remontoir. The remontoir provides a constant force to the balance, hence maintaining an equal rate of force whether the watch is fully wound or not and therefore increasing precision. François-Paul Journe's ingenious masterpiece is the first wristwatch to have the distinction of combining a remontoir d'égalité, dead beat seconds and a tourbillon regulator.
The Tourbillon Souverain received the Aiguille d’Or prize at the Geneva Grand Prix d’Horlogerie in 2004. It was also elected watch of the year at the “Watch of the Year” grand prize in Japan in 2004.
One of the chief glories of the ‘Régence Circulaire’ is of course the spectacular hand-engraved white gold dial. The engraving for each dial took an artisan engraver based in Geneva two weeks to complete. The design originated from similar dials that were used on a few examples of the tourbillon made 15 years earlier for the International Jewellery & Watch Exhibition in Bahrain. However, the hand-engraved pattern itself derives from geometric motifs used in the decorative arts during the French Régence period in the early 18th century.
Tourbillon Souverain Ref. TN
Introduced in 2004, the 'Reference TN' for 'Tourbillon Nouveau' is the direct descendant of the celebrated ‘Reference T’ - F.P. Journe’s first production watch but also the very first wristwatch ever to use a constant force remontoire. The Tourbillon Souverain, undoubtedly one of the greats among F.P. Journe's horologic masterworks, is distinguished by its complications, combining a one-minute tourbillon with a constant force remontoir. The remontoir provides a constant force to the balance, hence maintaining an equal rate of force whether the watch is fully wound or not and therefore increasing precision. François-Paul Journe's ingenious masterpiece is the first wristwatch to have the distinction of combining a remontoir d'égalité, dead beat seconds and a tourbillon regulator.
The Tourbillon Souverain received the Aiguille d’Or prize at the Geneva Grand Prix d’Horlogerie in 2004. It was also elected watch of the year at the “Watch of the Year” grand prize in Japan in 2004.