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Lot Essay
This platinum F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain with solid platinum bracelet would always be considered a highly impressive timepiece in its own right, but even more impressively, this sublime timepiece is one of only a small number to be fitted with a superb jade dial, it is therefore elevated to a rarity of the highest level and magnificence.
Jade is symbolic of clarity of mind and purity of spirit in Chinese culture, the philosopher Confucius expressed the fascination for jade by making it a metaphor for virtue, kindness, wisdom, justice, civility, music, sincerity, truth, Heaven and Earth.
The challenges of producing a dial in hardstone are well known to several of the great Swiss watch manufactures. Usually, hardstone dials are produced as a circular disk in order to make the cutting action simpler and to minimize the risk of stress points from corners. However, F.P. Journe characteristically took a different approach. While ideally the stone dial would be cut from one piece, due to the configuration of apertures on the Tourbillon Souverain dial, it would not be possible due to the small amounts of material around the tourbillon and the offset dial, as well as the constant risk of fracture during cutting. The two crescent shaped pieces above and below are still very complex with numerous curves and differing radii, as well as the screw holes which have to be drilled, making for what one can imagine is a nerve wracking experience for the maker as well as no doubt numerous failed attempts along the way, before a perfect example is produced. But all of the hard work pays off when one sees the illuminating effect created be the light passing through the ethereal green tone of the jade as well as the unique signature each dial has due to the veining within the stone. While it is impressive when viewed from afar, it takes on a whole new dimension when admired through a loupe. This particular example is further distinguished by the matching solid platinum bracelet which gives a watch known for its simplicity and compact nature, a suitably substantial feeling on the wrist making the owner abundantly aware of the importance of the horological work of art they are wearing.
Tourbillon Souverain
The ‘Tourbillon Souverain’ is arguably Journe’s most famous wristwatch model and still one of the most accurate on the market today. Launched in 1999, it was the first ever tourbillon with a remontoire d’egalité, the first time a remontoire device had ever been used in a wristwatch. The remontoire d’egalité is a mechanism which delivers a constant force throughout the duration of winding, therefore the variable force delivered by the mainspring to the escapement as it unwinds is equalized. The Tourbillon Souverain’s combination of remontoire with tourbillon successfully showcases F. P. Journe's technical and design genius in the creation of a highly complicated modern wristwatch yet one whose roots are firmly in the great horological traditions. François-Paul Journe's ingenious masterpiece - 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.
Jade is symbolic of clarity of mind and purity of spirit in Chinese culture, the philosopher Confucius expressed the fascination for jade by making it a metaphor for virtue, kindness, wisdom, justice, civility, music, sincerity, truth, Heaven and Earth.
The challenges of producing a dial in hardstone are well known to several of the great Swiss watch manufactures. Usually, hardstone dials are produced as a circular disk in order to make the cutting action simpler and to minimize the risk of stress points from corners. However, F.P. Journe characteristically took a different approach. While ideally the stone dial would be cut from one piece, due to the configuration of apertures on the Tourbillon Souverain dial, it would not be possible due to the small amounts of material around the tourbillon and the offset dial, as well as the constant risk of fracture during cutting. The two crescent shaped pieces above and below are still very complex with numerous curves and differing radii, as well as the screw holes which have to be drilled, making for what one can imagine is a nerve wracking experience for the maker as well as no doubt numerous failed attempts along the way, before a perfect example is produced. But all of the hard work pays off when one sees the illuminating effect created be the light passing through the ethereal green tone of the jade as well as the unique signature each dial has due to the veining within the stone. While it is impressive when viewed from afar, it takes on a whole new dimension when admired through a loupe. This particular example is further distinguished by the matching solid platinum bracelet which gives a watch known for its simplicity and compact nature, a suitably substantial feeling on the wrist making the owner abundantly aware of the importance of the horological work of art they are wearing.
Tourbillon Souverain
The ‘Tourbillon Souverain’ is arguably Journe’s most famous wristwatch model and still one of the most accurate on the market today. Launched in 1999, it was the first ever tourbillon with a remontoire d’egalité, the first time a remontoire device had ever been used in a wristwatch. The remontoire d’egalité is a mechanism which delivers a constant force throughout the duration of winding, therefore the variable force delivered by the mainspring to the escapement as it unwinds is equalized. The Tourbillon Souverain’s combination of remontoire with tourbillon successfully showcases F. P. Journe's technical and design genius in the creation of a highly complicated modern wristwatch yet one whose roots are firmly in the great horological traditions. François-Paul Journe's ingenious masterpiece - 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.