Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Nov 16, 2008

LOT 706

Tourbillon Souverain F.P. Journe, "Invenit et Fecit", "Remontoir d'Egalité - Tourbillon Souverain", No. 222/03T. Made circa 2003. Very fine and rare, platinum chronometer wristwatch with visible one-minute tourbillon regulator and constant force remontoir, 42- hour power reserve indication and an 18K white gold F.P. Journe deployant clasp. Accompanied a fitted box and a certificate.

CHF 75,000 - 85,000

USD 70,000 - 80,000 / EUR 47,000 - 55,000

Sold: CHF 85,200

C. Two-body, solid, polished, transparent case back with 6 screws, inverted bezel, concave lugs, winding crown engine-turned with "cordes de Marseille" pattern, sapphire crystals. D. 18K brushed yellow gold, subsidiary white guilloche dial with painted Arabic numerals secured to a brushed 18K white gold plate, apertures for the constant force remontoir at 6 and tourbillon regulator under a polished steel bridge at 9, power reserve indication at 12. Blued steel Journe hands. M. Cal. 1498, rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, 25 jewels, lateral lever escapement with oneminute tourbillon regulator with "A"-shaped tourbillon frame and polished steel bridge, monometallic 4-arm balance with 4 timing weights, self-compensating Breguet balance spring with Phillips terminal curve, constant-force remontoir with 18K gold wheel and blade spring, controlled by a spinning vane and armed once a second by the force of the mainspring, insuring a steady flow of power to the balance for a more constant rate. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 38 mm. Thickness: 10 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 1

As new
Movement: 1

As new
Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Notes

The remontoir is a rare horological device, hitherto unknown in a wristwatch, designed to provide a constant force to the balance. It's a supplementary buffer spring that is kept wound by the main power source. Releasing a constant energy directly to the escapement, it aims to counter the fluctuations in the going train and the diminishing power of the mainspring. F.P. Journe's unique version of the remontoir consists of a small blade spring between the going-train and the tourbillon. It is armed once a second by the mainspring. Governed by a spinning vane, it delivers the constant force that the tourbillon escapement needs to perform at its best. In the Tourbillon Souverain, the remontoir ensures that the rate remains the same whether the watch is fully wound or at the end of its power reserve. The maximum loss of amplitude is 20° from a flat to a vertical position. (Courtesy of the F.P. Journe website, www.fpjourne.com).