Credits: Article and images by Tim Mosso @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2024/02/10/warning-iceberg-dead-ahead-f-p-journe-tourbillon-souverain-joaillerie-reviewed-by-tim-mosso/
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18 karat gold movement of the F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain Joaillerie
While this and other Journe movements are made of solid gold, that element has been calculated for effect at the expense of the kind baroque finish applied by rivals, including Romain Gauthier, Laurent Ferrier, and Lang & Heyne. To be fair, Journe’s annual production of under 1,000 mechanical watches per year – there are more Élégantes – prevents the kind of lily-gilding that Gauthier or L&H apply.
Many of Journe’s distinctive sub-dials consist of stamped brass rather than genuine reductive guilloche. This is evident on the TSJ depicted here, but it shouldn’t eclipse the fact that the main dial of this watch and most of Journe’s other dress models are made of solid precious metal.
This is no shame, secret, or scandal. For most of its 25-year history, Montres Journe has been known for offering extraordinary levels of original innovation, distinctive design, and surprisingly reasonable retail prices. Current waiting lists and aftermarket pricing make it hard to remember the recent past when Journe watches were considered relative values. Nevertheless, that history of relative cost controls is at the root of the automated procedure inherent in the production process.
Critically, these built-to-price qualifiers apply to standard F.P. Journe watches, but not today’s subject. The Tourbillon Souverain Joaillerie is a halo model for a brand that sells almost nothing but halo models. It’s as special as the discontinued Journe Sonnerie Souveraine or current Astronomic Souveraine; the production gap between these monsters and the jeweled tourbillon isn’t as large as one might imagine.
F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain Joaillerie
With acres of excruciatingly cut and meticulously placed precious stones, the TSJ provides Dufour-level exclusivity for those who want to play in the Journe universe.
For more information, please visit www.fpjourne.com/en/collection/joaillerie-joaillerie/tourbillon-souverain-set-diamonds
Quick Facts: F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain Joaillerie
Edition: Very few from 2004; sales continued into the 2020s despite end of core TS model
Reference Code: TJ
Case: 40mm in platinum, 10.2mm thick, 48mm lug-to-lug; 93 baguette gems; 30-meters WR
Clasp: Single fold in platinum (outer buckle) and white gold (swingarms): 18 baguette diamonds
Diamond Mass: 23 carats prior to cutting
Dial: White gold; set with 201 brilliant cut diamonds, tourbillon, power reserve indicator, small seconds; polished steel bezel for sub-dials; hour, minute, seconds dials in brass
Movement: Caliber 1403, manual wind with 42-hour power reserve, reserve indicator, 3Hz escapement, 1Hz deadbeat, one-minute tourbillon, remontoir, overcoil hairspring, free-sprung balance, 26 jewels, 18-karat rose gold bridges and plates
Functions: hours, minutes, deadbeat seconds, power reserve indicator, remontoir, tourbillon
2024 Market Value: Approximately $700,0000
* Tim Mosso is the media director and watch specialist at Watchbox. You can check out his very comprehensive YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@WatchBoxStudios/videos.
You might also enjoy:
Highlights from Christie’s Art of F.P. Journe Auction: 3 Watches Sold for Over a Million Dollars!
Behind The Lens: The F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain
The Sonnerie Souveraine By F.P. Journe: A Legend In Its Own Time
F.P. Journe Astronomic Souveraine: Reigniting Zest
F.P. Journe Vagabondage I Gold: Farewell To A Path Rarely Traveled
Credits: Article and images by Tim Mosso @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2024/02/10/warning-iceberg-dead-ahead-f-p-journe-tourbillon-souverain-joaillerie-reviewed-by-tim-mosso/
